Aug 16, 2012
In the last few days, there is been considerable political rhetoric on both sides regarding Medicare. We have investigated several sources on the internet and are compiling these into a single bundle that hopefully we all can understand. This process may take another few days and you are welcome to return as we’ll be updating the information as it is obtained. With each statement, we will attempt to provide the source through a link. From the numerous sources, we have reviewed thus far, it is evident the Willard Romney/Paul Ayn Ryan ticket is totally distorting the truth. Romney can lie with the best of them and his base would believe it if he told them, Mr Obama was really white guy who turned black in order to use the race card to his advantage.
1. The Romney-Ryan campaign in its latest TV ad assails Obama for approving cuts to Medicare in 2010. The ad; “Obama has cut $716 billion dollars from Medicare,” says the narrator. “The money you paid for your guaranteed health care…is going to a massive new government program that’s not for you.”
2.Romney also claims the president’s actions will ultimately lead to reduced access to health care.
3.Gov. Sununu claimed in an interview with Soledad O’brien, that the President “reduces services to Medicare beneficiaries currently on the package.”
4. Romney also claims, Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt, and pushes those obligations on to coming generations.
A Congressional Budget Office report notes keeping “Obamacare” would not mean a $716 billion decrease in Medicare funding. The cost of Medicare would continue to rise, just not as rapidly. The CBO says the money – Democrats call it savings, Republicans call it cuts – would be achieved mostly through cutbacks in payments to providers and by changes to payment rates in private Medicare plans. (reference number 1)
As stated by FactCheck.org, Romney’s “figure ignores major cost-cutting provisions including cuts in the future growth of Medicare and increased payroll taxes and investment-income taxes on higher-income earners. According to the Congressional Budget Office, “once all those revenue streams are factored in, CBO has estimated that the law would actually reduce the federal deficit by $210 billion over the 2012-2021 period.” (reference number 4) see Table One
Most of you have most likely seen the video of Soledad O’brien shutting down the out right lies spewed by Gov. Sununu. She fact checked and utilize several sources to validate the falsehoods of the governor. Below is the video .( reference number 3) Soledad spreading the cloak of truth over the Romney campaign
The AARP who conducted a thorough analysis for its members, actually praises the President’s Medicare plan. Some of their most significant statements include the following:
“The health care law strengthens Medicare by protecting and improving your guaranteed benefits and cracking down on waste, fraud and inefficiency. It also identifies savings that will keep Medicare financially stable for 12 years longer than if the law hadn’t been passed.” The law protects any cuts to Medicare’s guaranteed benefits, which include doctor, hospital and rehabilitation services. This is true whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.”
As can be read above, the law prevents any cuts in the future to guaranteed benefits. (Reference 1,2,and 3) So how does Romney look into his constituents with a straight face and lie that the president is reducing benefits, and robbing them of their future health care. Easy, because he’s a psychopathic liar. He will do anything and say anything to get elected. And his surrogates simply fall right in the line as Gov. Sununu did and hold a straight face. Fortunately, not all of us are robotically programmed. You can read the entire AARP analysis by clicking on this link. The AARP health care analysis
Update: 8-22-2012
Newser hits Romey hard on Medicare falsehoods-8-22-2012
(Newser) – “Mitt Romney often promises to restore $716 billion in Medicare funding cut by the Affordable Care Act, but many experts say that pledge is, in the words of one economist, “both puzzling and bogus.” That’s because what Romney would be “restoring” wouldn’t be funds but costs, the New York Times explains. The ACA cut Medicare’s reimbursements to hospitals and doctors. Experts project that restoring them would send Medicare into insolvency by 2016 (rather than 2024 as currently projected), and cost seniors $342 a year in premiums and co-pays.” MORE
More To Come