It says something about the success of a misinformation campaign when it’s called out for official recognition two years in a row. Politifact, the independent fact-checking web site associated with the St. Petersburg Times, named “death panels” it’s “Lie of the Year” in 2009. This year’s winner: “government takeover of …
health reform
A Health Care Ruling Q&A
In the light of day, a few things about yesterday’s health care court decision are coming into focus. The White House clearly expected federal Judge Henry Hudson to rule the individual mandate unconstitutional. The judge telegraphed his intentions in earlier comments and the Administration was ready with talking points about how Hudson’s …
In Defense of the Fox News Ban on “Public Option”
Fox News Washington managing editor Bill Sammon is under fire today for instructing his newsroom – during the height of the health care debate – not to use the term “public option.” Here’s the supposed smoking gun: an e-mail obtained by Media Matters:
From: Sammon, Bill
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:23 AM
To: 054
…
Will the Affordable Care Act Become Government’s Piggy Bank?
As first reported by Politico, Republican and Democratic Senate leaders are close to reaching a deal that would stave off impending cuts in Medicare reimbursements. To pay for the so-called “doc fix” – a perpetually vexing circumstance in which Medicare reimbursements would fall more than 20% without repeated congressional action – …
What the 1099 Logjam Says About the Future of Health Reform
Of all the controversial pieces of the Affordable Care Act, the one that seems ripest for rollback is a new requirement that businesses file tax forms on every purchase over $600. Yet, despite calls for its demise from both sides of the aisle and seemingly every business group in America, this provision lives on, which raises an …
A Health Care Fix Bernie Sanders and Tim Pawlenty Can Both Love?
Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, has a knack for linking up with Republicans to introduce innovative health care policy that can garner real bipartisan support. When the Affordable Care Act was but a glimmer in President Obama’s eye, Wyden and Republican Sen. Bob Bennett, of Utah, introduced the Healthy Americans Act. This health care reform …
Breaking: Don Berwick to Answer Questions
Tomorrow, Don Berwick, the head of Medicare and Medicaid, will appear before the Senate Finance Committee. Republicans are, to put it mildly, looking forward to this. Berwick was installed via recess appointment, bypassing a Senate confirmation hearing. Expect a peek of what’s to come in 2011, once Republicans control the three …
Welcome to Washington, Mr. Congressman!
Liberals are having a good chuckle today over a great little item in Politico today about a freshman congressman. Apparently, anti-Obamacare crusader and physician Andy Harris threw a bit of a fit yesterday when told his government-subsidized health insurance wouldn’t begin until 28 days after he starts his new job on Capitol Hill. At an …
Pawlenty’s Obamacare Purity Gets a Little Less Pure
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been making a show out of resisting implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the funding for states contained within. He’s not the only one, but his resistance has been noteworthy, in part, because of his presumed ambition to be the GOP nominee for president in 2012. If he does pursue the nomination, …
Rand Paul’s Medicare Shorthand
Kentucky’s Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul is in a spot of trouble over a comment he made about how to shore up Medicare. Speaking at a town hall in September 2009, Paul said “a $2,000 Medicare deductible would solve a huge amount of problems.” His Democratic opponent, Jack Conway, has seized on the statement, highlighting it …
The Democrats’ Communication Problem – Part 2
It’s just one poll, but Greg Sargent notices that a recent survey from Pew and National Journal indicates that the vast majority of Democrats don’t feel this has been a particularly successful Congress, legislation-wise. As Sargent notes, just 33% of Democrats believe this Congress accomplished more than recent Congresses. (37% said it …
Proof Russ Feingold Is Not Just Another Democrat
Wisconsin incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold is bucking the trend and running a straight-up pro-health care reform spot. The ad itself is not all that remarkable, but it stands out in a year when Democrats who voted for reform are trying hard to talk about other issues, while Democrats who voted against it are touting their opposition.
The …
What’s an “Essential” Benefit?
Let’s get something out of the way.
The accusation that the Affordable Care Act will determine which medical treatments, procedures, tests and drugs Americans will be allowed to get is false. Rather, the government will continue to decide which services Medicare will reimburse for, while also deciding what care private insurers …