Sunday, September 13, 2009
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst last Wednesday during President Barack Obama’s health care speech prompted those at FactCheck.org to find out if the president really did lie about certain parts of the reform plan. Here’s what they found:
President Obama did not lie when he said his plan would not insure illegal immigrants. A review of the House bill showed the language clearly forbids giving subsidies to undocumented non-citizens. The plan may lack “teeth” to enforce this provision, but that does not make the president a liar, according to FactCheck.org.
On the issue of funding abortions with federal dollars, Obama said this won’t happen. But the House bill does allow a “public option” that could cover all abortions, and it would permit federal subsidies for citizens to purchase private insurance that covers abortion procedures.
The president insisted his plan would not add “one dime” to the federal deficit. But the Congressional Budget Office has determined the reform legislation would add hundreds of billions of dollars to the government’s red ink.
President Obama did overstate “the degree of concentration in the insurance industry,” according to FactCheck.org.,when he said the insurance market in 34 states is currently controlled by five or fewer companies. The truth is that the situation only applies to “insurance bought by small groups, not the entire ‘insurance market.’”
Finally, it is true that Americans won’t be required to change their doctors or health coverage if the president’s plan goes through. However, in practical terms, the reform could prompt companies to switch their health insurance plans, leading to changes for many employees.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Obama’s Health Care Speech (FactCheck.org)
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