The Statement:
Florence Mackie of North Carolina writes to CNN, "I got a disturbing e-mail that said the new health bill would not help a person with macular degeneration until they lost the vision in one eye first." She asks, "Is this true?"
The facts and the verdict after the jump:
The Facts:
Macular degeneration is a disease that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Chances of suffering from it increase with old age. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness for people age 65 and older and affects more than 10 million Americans, according to the American Medical Association.
Whites are "much more likely" to lose vision due to AMD than African-Americans, and women "appear to be at greater risk than men," according to the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health.
There is no final version of health-care legislation in either the House or the Senate. But each chamber has a version of a bill that is available to be read online . The House bill has more than 1,000 pages; the Senate bill has more than 600.
Neither bill contains the words "macular," "degeneration," or "sight." Neither establishes special rules over eye health.
The rumor appears to stem from concerns expressed by some conservatives earlier this year during the battle over stimulus legislation.
In a commentary published by Bloomberg News on February 9, former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey wrote, "In 2006, a U.K. health board decreed that elderly patients with macular degeneration had to wait until they went blind in one eye before they could get a costly new drug to save the other eye. It took almost three years of public protests before the board reversed its decision."
She added, "If the Obama administration's economic stimulus bill passes the Senate in its current form, seniors in the U.S. will face similar rationing."
The example seems to have been taken out of context by opponents of the current health care reform plan, who are suggesting that impending legislation would target macular degeneration.
The Web site wpcva.com, shared by several Virginia newspapers, published an opinion piece this month from a Virginia resident stating that under the House bill, "Surgery to correct macular degeneration would be denied until the patient lost sight in one eye."
Chain e-mails are having a substantial effect on the health care debate. On the Obama administration's "Reality Check" Web site, which the administration says is aimed at counteracting myths about health care, one of the top two videos is headlined, "The return of the viral e-mail."
The Verdict:
False. There is no such rule in the health care legislation working its way through Congress.
From CNN Politics
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But the USA, is Blind in Both eyes to Barack Obama..
Sounds like something Sarah Palin would say!
Just another Republican scare tactic. Keep em fearful!
GOP propaganda.
Imagine that!
-more lies and fear mongering from the Right Wing Nutjobs that can't tell fact from fiction!
I am a little confused. Is it the Republican Party, the far right, FOX News or big insurance companies with 'greed' that are starting these malicious lies and rumors ? Mike in Montana
This is getting absurd! No one is going to kill Grandma, and no one is going to sit around while you lose sight in one eye, and NO ONE is going to force everyone to get government run health insurance....the lies are making me sick, and making all of us Americans look like complete idiots! We need to have a real, honest discussion about health care reform. The status quo is literally killing us (unless you are an exec at an insurance company...they can afford fabulous health care).
Of course it's true! DUH.
They're also going to kill my grandma. They also eat children.
Yup and you won't get a bronchial inhaler until one lung stops functioning. More hooey!
This article is somewhat euphemistic – call it what it is: another LIE passed down by the "Party of NO". For a group that was so amazingly offended by lying about sex in the Oval Office, they certainly don't appear to have any compunctions about lying to protect their campaign donors' profits...
I guess scaring the elderly will and apparently are having the desired effect, scare the b-jesus out of the population to get the desired effect, NO HEALTH CARE REFORM in any shape or form. THis preying on the weakest of our citizens seems to happening with alot. THis is just pure discusting....
Another piece of "misinformation"? Easily deniable?
Death panels, blind in one eye? Pick another scenario. The "final" bill has not even been submitted. The House has passed a version to be submitted to the Senate. NO negotiations have taken place. NO legislation final vote in Congress. NO final legislation forwarded to the President for enactment.
Rumor, innuendo, selective quotes, partisianship, lobbyists, political groups advertising pro or con, gullible public.
NOTHING has been cast in stone. NOTHING has been decided. NOTHING has been debated, negotiated, or enacted.
Don't these republicans ever get tired of lying and distortions? "pull the plug on grandma" lie, the "death panel" lie, the "government take over" lie, then the President was "born in kenya" lie, and on and on and on.......
Doesn't the bible say; thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Americans have become so used to lying to each other and thier families, that it isn't even called out as a lie any more and considered normal.
This nation has a real reckoning to deal with if public policy continues to be based on lies. i.e. the war in Iraq.
Nothing good ever comes out of a lie.
PATHETIC!!! To do this to people and these people call themselves Christian Americans they are not they are Political terriost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here goes CNN's experts again... I wouldn't know most. Just about every drug your saturated with USA. Is alien to me, I guess you live in your own world too mucfh.
I guess you wont get a knee replacement until both knees go out, or a hip replacement untill both of those are goneToo bad the republicans have one heart, cant be replaced even though it has went out
These truth squads always seem to come up with a false verdict. Why don't we look into the penalty for those who choose not to have health insurance? Or the "rumor" that this is ridiculously expensive when we don't have the money to afford it? How about examining how we already have a single-payer health insurance for low-income families and how the U.S. has always tried to fix that? These are not lies or misinformation. This is the exact opposite of what you get from Obama – the facts without the glitter. This program will be one more addition on the list of government programs that are costing way too much and are always in need of fixing.
Don't let this go through – there is no returning from this mistake!
Let the each individual state solve their own health care reform issues – that would allow much more experimentation and help reveal the best solutions.
CNN, rather than keep telling us what is not in the bill, why don't you tell us what is in it? A real "Truth Squad" would tell us nobody knows what is or is not in it, because there is no final version of the bill. Where is your journalistic integrity?
so deep deuce. so deep.
now go back to your email and forward those rumors like a good little rightytighty.
This is just another example of the shameless and cynical fear-mongering the Right and their wealthy special interests. Apparently they have no qualms about perpetuating lies and fear among our weakest and most vulnerable citizens. I am ashamed to say that I was once a Republicant.
Actually you have to be blind in both eyes and have an ulcer that originated from drinking the Republican cool-aid.
Seriously!
What is up with the outright lie’s? I thought the Republican Party was the moral party above telling a lie???
I’m so glad that as a Republican I voted for President Obama!
Obama 2012!!!!!
Politics 101 – never let your opponent define your position!
Conservatives have had a field day in distorting the reform package.
So, why should we trust Obama if he is so stupid or innept as to allow himself to be in this position.
He is too late at the dance with too little to offer.
People, remember who is going to get rich off health care reform, then ask yourself if they have your best interests at heart. So, who will get rich? Pharmaceutical companies because they will have 49 million new people to sell to. Lawyers, the bill is a legalistic monstronsity and armies of lawyers who love to sue will get rich. The pharma and lawyer lobbies are also some of the biggest contributors to Senators and members of Congress regardless of party. Now ask, is your Senator and Congressperson looking out for you or are they in it for the money? If you answered they are looking out for you, I have a swamp in Florida I'd like to sell you.
Judging by past similar affairs with people of his type, pretty soon the name "Satan" is bound to come up in this farce. Real convenient
guy to have around. We atheists just have to accept responsibility for our actions.
Have any of you against the healthcare plan read the article on the CNN main page with the former insurance executive outlining corporate PR tactics? You are all being used and manipulated and you're too stupid to see it. Now bend over for your corporate masters. Have a nice day!
For Christ's sake, just post the answer.
Way to just repeat and spread an irresponsible rumor and give that away and make people work for the actual facts.
Totally responsible journalism there, CNN. Shame on you for every time you do this.
I have an idea.....Let James Carville be the Healthcare czar, at a salary of $1 a year!
Responsible americans should rise up and call these folks just what they are; a big fat lying sack of crap.
Throwing these lies out to raise fear amoungst our elders and citizens, insults the very intelligence of every concerned and thinking American and makes us look like a nation of easily manipulated children.
Enough already !!
This just shows that Congress needs to reform "a little at at time" to see how things adjust and work. There is no hurry to revamp, or turn over our entire heathcare system over night. Start with Tort Reform (tons of hooks with malpractice suits that can be eliminated), consolidating duplicate processes and streamline record keeping. These three things by themselves could make a big difference in costs. Next tackle insuring more people with the saved money gained by the previous three entities I mentioned, not future tax hikes. Cut one needless expense to enable another more worthy expense. This can be done but much more smartly than what the Democrats are presenting.
Depends on if you consider that "Eye Care" or Medical. I don't believe there are any Eye Care provisions in this legislation at all..
Following all this nonsense the right is putting out from another country is amazing to say the least! I have to believe that most Americans are smarter than what we are reading otherwise I would lose heart thinking we live next door to a bunch of idiots! Why arn't there more of you standing up to quash the rumours? This is getting scary........
Of course people believe it. They also believe just about anything else written in an e-mail they receive.
Just because something appears on the Internet doesn't make it true.
Don't forget requiring pregnancy licenses, mandatory abortions for conservatives, forced euthanasia and the ever popular "Bentleys for sick illegals" program...
Whack jobs.
Now if she asked if her CURRENT insurance provider will make her wait until blind in one eye before paying for the proper care, then we'd have a discussion. Am I the only one who never knew that our current healthcare system was so great, honest and reliable? Especially when I personally had to wait 2 years to have a surgery that required I see 3 different "specialists" and they each had to write letters to my insurance company saying that I really did NEED the surgery. I was in pain for 2 years WITH insurance. The only people that could be seriously asking these ridiculous bone headed questions have to be 1.) employed by Big Healthcare 2.)Employed by the Republican Party 3.) Paid actors or 4.) Stupid.
After 40 years of being a Republican My Parents have had ENOUGH They have switched their party the way the Republicans have been since the Election of Obama, Lies, games, dirty Politicts they cannot believe this is the same party they have supported they are fed up and disgusted with them!
Why we need CNN truth squad ?
Americans are confused once they enter in no spin zone they spin with rumors so some one has to check the facts
CNN you are doing a good job
Soylent Green anyone? I mean, where do you think all us crazy fascist liberal socialist commies are going to put all the aborted fetuses we're planning on creating as part of population control and general eugenics? Feed the homeless!
The United States is full of easily manipulated 'fraidy cat fools – as usual.
What about, "cutting the head, instead or curing a toothache?"
There is not even a Bill yet! Let me guess where they heard it from. I bet its from the same people who put out the picture depicting the president as the Joker. Yep...real reasonable people. Real truth tellers....just another scare tactic. The only people going blind here are the ones listening to these stories!
Absolutely False!!!!!!! This Nuts will stop at nothing to stop this healthcare bill from passing. They are good at lying. They are masters at it. I pray that they all get cancer, diabetes, and every terminal diseases in the world only to find out that their insurance companies will pay for their hospital bills and they have been dropped from their coverage. Maybe then, like Lee Atwater, get real religious and repent for all their sins. But then, it might be too late.
Yes this is True.
Because there is no Treatment for this Disease before it has occurred.
To Treat this Disease before it occurred is like a Bald man Going to a Barber Shop for a Hair Cut
Republicans are tireless when it comes to lying. They are the party of deceit and lies. They are the party of big business. They are the party determined to protect the Insurance companies. They are the party turning this country into a banana republic.
Your doing a good job on the truth squad CNN....keep it up.
Thank GOD, none of you people who are employed by CNN, or your CEO are sitting in Washington as a Congressman, Representative, or the President of the United States! Is this ALL you can find to continue your quest to undermine our President?? Perhaps all of you and Sara Palin need to be lined up like "ducks" in a carinval game!!! Which one shall I pick??????
I'm plain tuckered out with this dimwit bull feces!
The GOP and thier corporate masters actually count on dumbing down the electorate as much as possible with fear and lies; it is the duty of every thinking american to expose these creeps at every turn.
Republicans have made lies and distortion thier fundamental political philosophy and americans have fallen for it time and again.
It's time to drive a nail in the heart of this type of political mainpulation once and for all.
What is the matter with the republicans and some seniors at these meetings? I'm sure they are smart but it is hard to understand why they believe the junk being told by the republican party, fox news comentators, limbaugh, etc. who their only goal is the failure of Obama (and they couldn't care less if the country fails at the same time). Then, you have the insurance companies that are making record profits screwing everybody and don't want change. open your eyes, naive republicans!!
The verdict is FALSE so haters need not get into a tizzy and upset their heart. Remember the story about the poor native American on the reservation which had been neglected since the beginning of time? Well, a delusional ignoramus blogged with a sacrcastic "thanks to Obama" WHEN IN FACT THE NEWLY ELECTED OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WAS SPEARHEADING THE ERECTION OF A MEDICAL COMPLEX AND EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH STIMULUS MONEY.
I saw it in section I@m1nsane while reading the bill. It's in there. They will replace your eyeball with the eye ball of your oldest relative...regardless of whether they are still living or not. If they didn't have an eye, then they sew the socket on to you. It's there in the Bill...totally!
Read the bill...it's in there!
So where's this front page headline: "Supporters of private insurance are just plain lying."?
Can't we just call it what it is CNN?
So you are all happy so happy with how your existing insurance companies are screwing you that you don't want any change? I am stuck paying almost a grand a month for a family plan with a major carrier. Price goes up every year. Don't like it, switch people say....that's free enterprise...WELL guess what, both my wife and I have pre-existing conditions. Want to look at the exclusion forms stating how a new carrier will not cover me????
We need some reform....
Attention; all of the intellectuals or those in the congress, in Obama's administration, the media talking heads who that claim to know all, why can you not understand that the citizens are not interested in your snake oil.
How simple do we have to make it. We are not interested in your ideas or opinions. We are not interested in socialism.
What part of that do you not undrestand?
Thank you, CNN, for the Truth Squads. Americans deserve honesty on this important health-care legislation.
The misinformation and lies being told by a so-called "family values" party only confirm why I left the GOP.
It doesn't matter if the fringe rumors are correct. If only one or two of the main ones are correct, we are in deep trouble. Americans want to control their government, we don't want to be controlled.
Seriously...the question is so outlandish and ridiculous that even bothering to answer it with one word, "FALSE," pays it too much credence. Of course, pretending that such nonsense isn't merely rank partisan shenanigans helps keep up the superficial appearance of being "fair and balanced" (or some such tripe) and keeps some of the GOPers coming back for more, which helps ad revenue, so its really compltely understandable that CNN would not simply tell this woman she's a moron and to never ever look at email again.
Oh, It's in there alright. Along with the mandatory suicide clause. We'll vouch for that. Have a nice day!
My guess is these rumors start because one or more of the Big Business health maintenance organizations already have such a restriction. Anyone who thinks there shouldn't be a system that gets these bullies in line has never been denied care for a "preexisting condition," a drug not on the HMO's "preferred list" or services they arbitrarily decide are "not medically necessary" such as physical therapy after an injury or stroke. How about their "recision" clauses that they use to dump you just when you need the health insurance most, (True case, a woman denied treatment for breast cancer because she forgot to list on her application form that she has once been treated for acne.) You want to know where the death panels are? they are in the HMOs, who regularly deny or delay lifesaving care knowing that the patient can die waiting for it to be argued in court.
Tort Reform has already been passed in several states, Texas for example. What it does is basically say "If an OOOPSIE happens and you die...so what. Your life isn't worth too much. It's ok if a doctor kills you...being incompetent is how us republicans do things".
And, much to everyones dismay, Insurance costs just kept on rising. All it did was keep doctors rich. Nobody saved money but the doctors.
Tort reform does not WORK (PROVEN in SEVERAL states that passed it already)...it's simply a way to say it's ok for doctors to kill people.
One medical procedure I recommend for all Republicans is a good colon cleansing, because they are really full of it.
Why don't the republicans just say what they really want to say:
We just do not to see any improvement in the nations dysfunctional health care sector, especially if it is brought forward by the first black president whose mother died while fighting the insurance companies.
There, you GOP type should feel much better now this it has been said
Now can we begin to deal with issue of out of control cost of health care?
Dick Armey, the founder of FreedomWorks and Tea Party Patriots is trying to scare seniors senseless, and is succeeding bacause the Media is not challenging any of this nonsense. Nor are they helping to point of that Mr Armey is on record numerous times as wanting to ELIMINATE the very programs Seniors are worried about. This goes well beyond just being disingenuous; it is outright dishonesty. CNN and all other MSM need to investigate this discrepancy and report on it. You are being completely unfair to Seniors to neglect doing this.
Old people are gullible twits.
Repeal Medicare NOW!!
Most of the "policy" of what will be covered hasn't been written yet. But it will be by a "panel" appointed by the administration.
What do you people think is going to happen if they cover 47 million additional people but spend less money? Rationing. Just as is done in every country with socialized medicine.
Nothing is free!
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
GOP is bent upon Sending Baseless and Bogus E-mails to Mislead.
Just like this E-mail that was sent:
"I got a disturbing e-mail..........................until they lost the vision in one eye first.".
GOP will be sending another E-Mail which would read:
"Organ Transplant will be for Free under the new health plan. A man suffering from Elephantiasis will have his testicles transplanted with a nice pair of a Potent Pig's Testicles for free"
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
The "deathers" are just another version of the birthers. It starts with a lie told by a cynical outlet for political gain. It goes viral, but is repudiated by every legitimate fact-check group on the web. Nonetheless, there are people who repeat it and insist it is fact. For the deathers, it is the threat of "death boards" to pull the plug on grandma.
Get used to this lying nonsense; you're going to see a lot more of it.
After having a few discussions with those who are continuing to spread the viscious lies to prevent us from getting healthcare, I wonder if there is any reason to try and check the facts. I feel like I am running into brick walls. Once these rumors are out there some people refuse to believe anything else. I don't wish what I have gone through, without good healthcare, on anyone but I am afraid a certain percentage of them will experience it anyway and things will continue to go downhill with the current system.
You know, when I finally found the "over 1,000" page bill that was thrown on the floor by one of the Republicans because he was so upset he didn't get a chance to read it I almost fell off my chair. He was acting like it was a 6 font 1,000 page novel!!! When I opened the bill and saw that the font was at least 22, and maybe 100 words per page, I finished reading it in one night!! What the......
Lets go page by page, whatever doesn't click or makes any sense, lets go over that. I hate, hate, hate it when people are saying they heard this and they heard that, is this ture, is that true.....Gosh darn it people can't you read!!!!!
Read it, then what you don't understand bring that up at your next town hall meeting, email Cnn, do something instead of listening to everything you hear and find it out for yourself.
Susan
Why don't the republicans just say what they really want to say:
We just do not to see any improvement in the nations dysfunctional health care sector, especially if it is brought forward by the first black president whose mother died while fighting the insurance companies.
There, you GOP types should feel much better now this it has been said
Now can we please deal with issue of out of control cost of health care that is affecting all americans and america's overall fiscal health
What is the matter with the republicans and some seniors at these meetings? I'm sure they are smart but it is hard to understand why they believe the junk being told by the republican party, fox news comentators, limbaugh, etc.
What so hard to understand? They hate President Obama plain and simple. They hate him so much, they want him to fail. As far as being smart, if they believe the garbage they hear, then they are not smart. They are very ignorant and gullible or they are indeed smart, but hate Obama so much that the lies they hear from Palin, Limbaugh and the other jerks mean nothing. This is not about health care, stimulus or anything else but hatred for a black president.
Maybe you dolts should read the bill and quit trust cnn, fox news, Obama or anyone else for that matter. Quit being a bunch of sheeple. The GOP isn't anyone worse that the Democrats when it comes to propaganda.
It seems the people that respond to these articles rarely have the facts, nor respond to the article. Instead, they end up in left field. First off, this is not a Republican rumor. There was a couple from England that reported that the husband was told he could not have the necessary medicine to cure/help his degeneration of one eye until the other went bad. This was not a political issue, it was a story by two English folks, period. If their story was untrue, they, not the Republicans or Democrats were the fibbers!
According to Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, Obama's Special Advisor for Health Policy, "services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia."
If President Obama gets his way, such issues will be decided by budget.
The requisite financial analysis is slated to be performed by the "Independent Medicare Advisory Council" as described in the White House's July 17, 2009 letter to Nancy Pelosi.
americans who want real health care reform better wake up soon , employers will not pay for ever
The truth is, no one knows what the law will look like. More important, none of the related regulations have been drafted (or at least not publicized), so there is no definitive answer.
We do know that none of the bills is really targeted at high costs, or else tort reform would be included. Ask Dems why that is not in any bill.
In theory we are going to insure 46 million more Americans, with no new hospitals and no new doctors (I know there will be more doctors, but not enough to treat 46 million more people). When these new people are added to the rolls (and paid for by the rest of us, again), there will obviously be a strain on the system, and rationing will be a certainty, unless suddenly very many of us have no more health problems.
Perhaps we would all be reassured if at the very beginning of the bill there would be absolute statements that everyone would get all the health care they want, for free (the health care fairy will pay for it!!), from the very best doctors, with NO waiting. I have a hunch we won't see that language.
How can you be expected to respect a political party that insists on terrorizing the elderly. There is low depth too low for the current republicans. Absolutely shameful.
How can people continue to believe such absurd lies about health care reform? When one lie has been proven to be unfactual, doesn't that make people doubt all of the other information that health insurance reform opponets are spouting?
Every one who donot want health care please stand up. You may leave now, because the rest of us do. I have work over 45 years never been on welfare have no need to be on walfare but my job left town now I have no job no health care. So if all you dumb ass who thank it ok to be sick and can't see a dr. is fun I hope you wake up tomorrow with your eyes in the back of your head.
it's true, and worse yet, Obama's going to double the tax on your remaining good eye....
However, look at the bright side; with one eye, he'll only seem to be half as corrupt.
I wonder if the Dems are starting some of these rumors. They are just so unbelievable, Reps will not benefit from telling them because not too many people would believe them. The only ones that will benefit would be the Dems when they debunk them.
Florence lives in North Carolina.
Sorry, Florence (if you can read this). The South has a big problem understanding English, let alone stuff like the rules and regs for insurance coverage.
Please understand there are others "out here" in America who are going to interpret all this stuff for you. Not to worry.
Maybe they could add a provision that gives a person who is completely blind unlimited healthcare options, considering that all of Obama's supporters are blind and ignorant. No wonder ACORN is their church, they are all nuts.
I still see fear mongering everwhere..... seriously people wake up... read the bill and don't let Sam sixpack, any Elephant, or any Donkey tell u what's in it in thier words.... look for yourself.... geez point and click !!!!!!!!!!!! i've got a copy of the full 1100 pages written out so far.....
Republicans sell fear. If they didn't, they would have nothing to sell.
I guess the health industry with the help of the republicans are starting another campaign to scare people. We know they are a common bunch. Look at how they would come out especially before elections and yell "terror alert" "terror alert" and saying if we didn't vote for republicans the terrorist would set off dirty bombs and kill us......now they are scaring old people.
What in Hades kind of people are they. Why in the devil can't people realize what they are. If they would take rush and drudge and malken and Fox News off the air til they starting reporting the truth maybe we could get something done.
I can not believe that any body could be that cruel to tell people that but at this point you can't put anything pass a republican. Their actions border on criminal.
Wow. It amazes me everyday that the Republican party claims to care so much about small business then spread these lies which really only hurt them with moderates.
A public option will be the biggest boon to small businesses.(I know this as a small business owner) It will allow small business to have a better chance at recruiting more talent. My company currently does NOT offer health insurance because we can NOT AFFORD it. While many of us have individual insurance I am sure some of my employees do not. If any serious injury should occur the tax payers will be forced to flip the bill anyways.
Considering small businesses makes up a huge chunk of the Labor market is only makes sense that America will want to be strong. It will help level the playing field dramatically vs big corp.
Far too many simpletons like Florence Mackie.
There is no support, for the hemorrhage of Pelosi. I guess your just going to bleed. USA.
If this is such a great plan, why aren't ALL the Democrats on board to pass it? They control Congress. If they all think it's so wonderful, then it should be a piece of cake. The fact that enough Democrats aren't for it, and the Democratic party leaders, including Obama, are blaming the Republicans is extremely telling.
Soooo? Why aren't ALL the Dems on board for this?
The GOP is doing what it does best, "FEAR MONGERING" .
There are, as I understand it, five different health insurance reform bills in the House of Representatives and none in the Senate. Nothing has passed either house. Which bill is everyone talking about? And why are the insurance companies spending $1.4 million dollars a day to make sure there is no public option?
lolol.....Wow, that's some deep investigating from the crack "truth squad" at CNN. Cherry-pick one email that is obviously wrong and hold it up as an example of the "out-of-touch" public.
Consider this my email question: Is it true that illegal aliens are to be covered by Obama's health care plan? And is it true that tort reform is not a part of Obama's health care plan? And is it true that both of these could save billions of dollars for the American consumer? And wouldn't that be a good place to start?
The verdict on the original question is still open, although CNN's Truth Squad is technically correct that ObamaCare has no provisions directly on macular degneration and its treatment.
IF ObamaCare eventually results in universal, government-run, single-payer healthcare like the UK, then patients with MD might expect to see the same wait times as those in the UK. Based on the anecdotal evidence cited.
Whether you like "fear-mongering" in politics, depends on which side of the issue you are on. ALL politicians use "fear" to sway their constituents, no matter which party.
I"ll be shocked if this gets past the CNNsors, but the truth squad and politifact are, regrettably, as biased as their sponsors.
On Political Mann this weekend, the Politifact team rated Obama's claim that AARP endorsed his program as "barely true" even though they conceded that, as reported, AARP expressly stated that they had NOT endorsed any of the health care proposals. AARP further said that they came out with the statement expressly to correct Obama's misstatement about AARP's position. Yet Politifact concluded that Obama spoke truthfully, if barely.
Conservatives were, of course, deemed to be liars by the Politfact-meter and its programmers. Nope, no MSM bias here.
Acorn
Socialistic
Death panels
Birth certificate
Pull the plug on grandma
Goverment take over
"I fear for my country" etc, etc. blah, blah........
All of the above poppycock is a mere euphemism; for hate the black president.
At least have the balls to say it out loud republicans and stand for something except lies for once.
The spreading of lies continues....Sad !
That's OK, for all you college students that voted for Oliar. When your 3 year old kid needs surgery, Zeek Emanuel will treat them like an 85 year old. They won't get it. My kids are grown, so I don't really care about your future.
This is unreal. CNN purposely picks the clearly crazy rumors and "fact checks" them, as if these are the only possible threats to this health care legislation.
Government-run health care is a horrible idea, period. I want to say it's hysterical that CNN tries so hard to make challengers to it look like idiots. There are idiots on both sides, CNN.
How about showing some of those false thoughts... like how some people claim this won't force private insurance out of the market. False. How this won't cause any rise in the budget deficit. False. How this won't require a tax increase (sales tax or federal income tax) on the middle class. False.
CNN does great unbiased reporting. False.
FEAR thru IGNORANCE is unfortunately what is being used to challenge the Pres. Obama’s Healthcare reform initiatives. Healthcare should not only be available to the privileged but should be a RIGHT for all American Citizens. Let us not confuse the high quality of Medical Technology in the U.S.A. with quality of the Healthcare System in the U.S.A.
Many US politicians (mostly Republicans) are making stupid, inaccurate and uninformed statements about the Canadian Healthcare System as if it was some Socialist bogeyman conspiracy. I am a LIFELONG CONSERVATIVE and I believe that our system, although NOT #1 and NOT PERFECT, is EXCELLENT!!