Editor's Note: PolitiFact.com is a project of the St. Petersburg Times that aims to help you find the truth in politics. Every day, reporters and researchers from the Times examine statements by members of Congress, the president, etc. They research their statements and then rate the accuracy on their Truth-O-Meter.
President Barack Obama went on the Sunday news shows to make the case for health reform.
This Week host George Stephanopolous questioned Obama on his support for an individual mandate, which requires everyone who can find affordable coverage to purchase health insurance.
Obama defended the matter as a fairness issue to people who now have coverage.
"Here's what's happening," Obama said. "You and I are both paying 900 bucks on average - our families - in higher premiums because of uncompensated care. Now, what I've said is that, if you can't afford health insurance, you certainly shouldn't be punished for that. That's just piling on.
"If, on the other hand, we're giving tax credits, we've set up an exchange, you are now part of a big pool. We've driven down the costs, we've done everything we can, and you actually can afford health insurance. But you've just decided, 'You know what? I want to take my chances,' and then you get hit by a bus, (then) you and I have to pay for the emergency room care."
The Truth-O-Meter says: HALF TRUE
From CNN Politics
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If everyone paid their own premiums there wouldn't be this huge debate. Problem is, Democrats want middle class and above to pay for everyone else. If we could get this country back to self responsibility, where everyone takes care of themselves we would all be better off.
Now that our glorious government tells us how to spend our money, we can soon buy our stylish government required uniforms.
Just tell the truth, PLEASE
HUH!!!!!!!!! Stephanopoulos is an expert....gee CNN don't stoop that low.
How can you give TAX credits to those who don't pay taxes? The middle class and above will end up paying for everyone else, like we always do. Soon the middle class will become poverty level and then what?
Obama didn't like Humana sending out newsletters to their senior citizen policyholders warning them of the pitfalls of the proposed legislation. They told Humana to stop sending the newsletters and threatened an investigation. I wonder if Obama talked to Chavez about how to stiffle disent?
Well, we are used to hearing "half-truths" from him, but also totally untrue stuff about all this. Whatever he says, the common man is going to get screwed with higher taxes so he can say he gave everyone health insurance. Leave my health insurance alone! I can afford to pay the premiums that come out of my paycheck every 2 weeks, because I never miss it. And I have choices and the government doesn't tell me who to see, where to go for treatment, or when I can get it! Listen to us and LEAVE US ALONE!
(CNN, please don't delete this post like you usually do...)
So the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth does not apply to the president when it comes to getting his agenda passed?
I call it a lie. Joe Wilson called it a lie. You call it half true. What's with the effort to redefine everyday, common words?
When Bush said what he was told and what almost every democrat also said about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction, he was labeled a liar with no questions asked. When Obama says what he knows is not true, the press gets their undies in a bunch when Wilson called him a liar.
The press practices discrimination against conservatives on a regular basis.
I don't get it.
How much more a year am I paying because we don't have a national policy for medical malpractice reform and Dr's. practice defensive medicine. For the country the extra cost per year is 150 billion. As long as the trial lawyers are more important than the taxpayers you right to even use the word reform.
Contributing to a big pool at the expense of our individual choices. How wonderfully socialistic.
Who's using scare tactics – if you don't have insurance, you'll get sick. Truth: a much larger percentage of people don't use health insurance than do.
Ask yourselves: which political party will provide the health insurance industry the most benefit?