American Morning
PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter: Political scorecard
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.
Paul Krugman claims protests in 2005 weren't as raucous as health care protests
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/10/krugman.paul.gi.art.jpg caption="Dr. Paul Krugman, 2008 Nobel Laureate, speaks at a press conference held by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong on May 22, 2009."]
During the 2005 fight over Social Security, "there were noisy demonstrations — but they were outside the events,” and opponents were “not disruptive — crowds booed lines they didn’t like, but that was about it."
-Paul Krugman on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 in a blog posting.
Truth-O-Meter says: FALSE
Read more: They were raucous in 2005, inside and out
Club for Growth's health care ad campaign is misleading
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/10/club.for.growth.youtube.art.jpg caption="This Club for Growth TV ad posted on YouTube compares the health care reform plan to the system in Britain."]
The health care reform plan would set limits similar to the "socialized" system in Britain, where people are allowed to die if their treatment would cost more than $22,000.
-Club for Growth on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 in a TV ad
Truth-O-Meter says: FALSE
Read more: There's no proposal to put a price on life
Boehner says Democrats' health care plan would lead to taxpayers subsidizing abortions
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/10/boehner.john.getty.art.jpg caption="House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) speaks on Capitol Hill on June 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. "]
The Democrat-backed health care reform plan "will require (Americans) to subsidize abortion with their hard-earned tax dollars."
-John Boehner on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 in an op-ed for National Review
Truth-O-Meter says: FALSE
Read more: Amendment would prohibit use of federal funds for abortions
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I believe in the health care reform. The poor are not getting help at the county hositpal here. They are demanding a fee for an emergency room visit of $75,00 unless you are brought into the hositpal in an ambulance. They will not see you, if you do not have the money. They will make you an appointment for the clinic the next day. If you owe them money from a previous visit, they will not see you that day either.They wil tell you, you have to paid the money owe first. If the doctor orders tests you must get rated by the county's financial rate. Then what ever our perfectage of the rate is has to be paid first before the tests or non extremely emergency surgurgies are done. I know for an example my daughter who was pregneant in 2007 need the normal blood test that each pregneant women get, she lives in Lake County and the clinic refused to give her the test until the $400.00 fee was paid. I had just took the buy-out from Ford so I paid it with my bank card. Now my daughter husband has health insurance and even she is against the health bill. It is sad and selfish.
Also,I think that we should go back to six grade and have each side given a time period to discuss their side without distractions. Then have someone take notes and address their issues. Because I don't feel free speech should mean out shouting someone. You learn in pre-school not to do that.
Its no wonder the republicans keep making false statements – maybe they just can't read. Bill (statement made at 9:13 a.m.) stated Pelosi and Hoyer said to disagree with them is "unamerican". If you would read the article – the statement is "some of the behavior of the health care overhall opponents is simply unamerican. " Another statement made was "drowning out opposing views is unamerican."
Glenn is correct, 70% of the 83% fear of losing their current plan to the government. They fear that they, like most Medicare recipients will have to pay the government tab and buy a supplimental plan raising their costs to maintain. Just because it is a government plan does not mean you will get what you need when you have a major health issue. But it is always nice to know intelligent debate starts with shut up. I can agree that reform is necessary, but it cannot have exceptions to the plan/bill/law for some, it has to apply to all or no deal which includes unions, government and especially congressional members and staffs. Glenn, look at it this way... these people may be saving you from yourself, so listen what they say has value even if you don't agree or are motivated by other reasons.
The more i read from the people that are against this health care "BILL" because it funds abortion, or euthanasia, or eliminates their private options, the more it magnifies their Ignorance. First of all there is NO BILL, there are only several proposed Plans, none have been approved, all are subject to revision and none of which fund abortion, euthanasia or elminate private options. I do not want my government or life being manipulated by such ignorant people. My suggestion to them is "Get Educated" and you do this by first by shutting up and listening, reading the plan and asking intelligent questions, then shut up and listen again. The guy who thinks that because 83% of Americans rate their current plan as good, fails to mention that 70% of these same Americans polled Fear of loosing their current plan in the future, fear the cost we continue to go up and fear that if they had a major health problem that it might not be covered. We need Health Care Reform or even more we need Health Insurance Reform, please do not let your ignorance ruin it for the rest of us.
CNN runs and reruns the coverage of the teabaggers disrupting open forums on the healthcare issues. Yet the truthometer falsifies the Klugman claim that opponents to the social security plan did the same. Really? Then why did CNN ignore the coverage because there probably isn't one instant where CNN covered a social security "townhall" meeting whre opponents were noisy. In fact, the townhall meeting attendees on social security were hand picked backers of the plan, hence little if any disruption could be gaureenteed by the GOP handlers.
The Truth-O-Meter is misleading on Boehner's comments. He can summarize this statement because language in the bill to restrict federal funds for abortions was rejected by the ruling class. If they will not restrict its use then they are not opposing its use. The T-O-M is not completely accurate and considering the talent on CNN is potentially covered by a union plan exempt to this bill, they have to be more objective and less subjective. This lacks journalistic objectivity.
Workers know their health plan better than the company financials. Those wanting to change it are so out of touch they think the American workforce does not know what their healthcare provides. 83% rate their plan good to excellent and this requires change?
Real Issue, you need to read the main bill in the House. Yes, if you currently have a plan (personal or through your employer), you can keep that plan if you wish. BUT if you change jobs or otherwise quit your current plan, you MUST enroll in the government plan. Where's the choice, and how long will it take for there no longer to be choices?
My fellow Americans who work in the Media networks. I and my fellow Americans would appreciate much more reporting on the Health Care Plan proposals and far less on the sensationalism displayed by some Americans.
One of the reasons your ratings, your newspapers and magazines have declined is because the news presented is too often not much different than the internet media or tabloids.
Mainstream media needs to sort out, examine and display news and reports that are truthful. Once this happens, then the American public like myself will seek your outlets on a continual basis for the truth. In other words, just because former Governor Palin disagrees with the plan and distorts the truth doesn't make her comments newsworthy.
Last comment: Katie Couric found out the truth about Palin when she ran for VP spot. Now that's reporting and we should rely on our mainstream media to divulge the truth or indicate the researched documented truth alongside the distortion.
Bernice is an angry protester crackpot who has no clue whatsoever of whats in the healthcare bills being tossed around so far. Hasnt read it, and is a total sheep for the repugnants.
I have news for you Insurance company paid thugs, you are sending out mentally ill patients that have no mental health insurance to speak for you.
My fellow Americans....No one and I mean no one in this country should have to raffle their home to pay for their child's health bill. This is the Real Issue.
This in itself should tell you that reform is needed and needed now!!
My fellow Americans...This is a great country. Why? Because we can debate the issues. But we must debate what we believe are the truths, not distortions of the truth.
The truth...if you have Private Health Care and a Doctor, you can keep your plan and your Doctor. Some Americans will have choices of keeping their Health Care Plan or going to a public plan. And those who are not covered, will go to the public plan if they cannot afford the private plan. There are no hidden agendas in the plans that I have read about. Politicians like Palin and Boehner are purposely making distortions. Look at the truth Americans. We are smarter than to fall for such distortions and sensationalisms.
THE PUBLIC no longer has a voice....unless you are a lobbiest and and can give the party in office lots of money to that party or money to a cause which is the big business like pharma etc.
Why do we elect people if they only vote to stay in good with their party and act like members of a private club detached from what is good for america. This healthcare plan.....congress should have to go on it for a year or two and pay out of their own pocket and all other government officials before putting it out for a test drive for the whole u.s.
It would better if they are not willing to do that....to police the pharmaceutical companies overcharging just the u.s. for drugs,caps on insurance rates per family,etc,medicare being overcharged by hospitals and doctors,fraud, and work for the american people rather than people working for these businesses and the government.
INSTEAD THEY ARE GOING ABOUT THIS AS A PARTY CLUB TRYING TO WIN WHAT THEY WANT......OVER what AMERICANS WANT.
EVERYONE IS SCREAMING THAT IS OVER 30 AND CONGRESS WONT LISTEN......
WE DO NOT WANT ABORTION EVER PAID WITH TAX DOLLARS.....THAT MEANS WE WORK AND PAY TAXES TO PAY FOR THE DEATH OF A CHILD THAT SHOULD BE BORN TO BE ADOPTED. ...PAYING FOR SOMEONE ELSES SIN AND NEGLEGENT LIFE STYLE AND IRRESPONSIBILITY......
THAT IS NOT AMERICAN....
I AM SHOCKED BY HOW UN-AMERICAN THIS WHOLE OBAMA DEMOCRATIC LOBBIEST RUN GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN....IT IS SO SHOCKING IT IS LIKE BEING A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS SYNDROME WITH YOUR JAW ON THE FLOOR.....
IT is unbelieveable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SOMEONE PLEASE STAND UP AND STOP THEM.......
Two questions:
1. Should a politician's words on facebook be reported as "news" when the politician refuses to be interviewed? CNN should be demanding Palin come out from behind her computer and substantiate her claims rather than continue to broadcast her "writings".
2. Does a "news" media have credibility when it debunks claims being made in ads when they are running those very same ads? The plus60 ad comes to mind.
Now both Pelosi and Sen Reid have publically stated that if you disagree with them and what they represent you are "un-American." I guess most of you don't feel offended that citizens are called un-American if they hold a true belief or want to state opposition to those in power. When will each of you be considered un-American? I'm sure there will be an issue to which you object. Well, maybe not!
People need to know the truth about public option health care. The person who authored the original bill for the public care option is Congressman Darrel Issa Republican California. The media should interview him for answers to public health care option and give truth to commentators whom give untruth to what could be good for uninsured or unable to insure Americans.
John Boehner, Sarah Palin and all those wing nuts screeming at those town hall meetings.....how embarrassing! What other educated countries must be thinking when they hear and see how a minority of our citizens behave! God help us all!
Amazing how many of you are supporting the health care plans proposed only by the liberals in Congress, not even all Dem's. More realistic plans, offered by Republicans, that cover more Americans and cost less are not even allowed to be heard in committee. So much for bi-partisonism! You don't want change – you want complete overhaul. You blindly follow whatever Obama says without regard for his telling those who disagree with him to "shut up and get out of the way." Wait until you are on the other side of one of his issues, and he tells you the same thing.
I am puzzled by the CNN Truth Meter. Just after a segment on the Health Care Plan, CNN aired a commercial filled with the kinds of comments that CNN's Truth Meter had labeled false. Why does CNN air commercials which the network's own experts agree are false? I am not advocating that CNN take sides in the debate, but why not use your experts to screen the material that you receive and only accept those ads that are accurate? That would greatly help the quality of the debate.
I live in Canada were we have health care through the Goverment and I also have Insurance through my husbands work. .If my husband was to lose his job tomorrow and his Insurance was gone and I needed surgery we would not go broke because of the Health care through the Goverment in Canada . I am not saying we have a perfect system but it is better than no Healthcare.
You are carrying a long scare commercial on your morning program sponsored by 60plus.org. This is an organization fundamentally
funded by the Republican National Committee and the pharmaceutical industry. Who knows how many other such organizations have lined up to mislead vulnerable citizens, especially the elderly, the uninsured and families of the mentally and physically disabled.
Boehner is a joke and makes Ohio look as unintelligent as he is!
Hi i am so sick on listening to some off these people .You cant be a begger and a chooser too .If you cant afford health care be grateful for what the government is giving you have nothing right now .I do not have health care i probably have barely went to the doctor a few times in 20 years .I do not believe i have a right to demand the kind of health care i want from the government .It would be like my son saying i want a new car when all i can afford is a used one he has 2 chooses take it or leave it . I just came back from barbados yes they have their own problems ,yes tax is very high sales tax 15 % guess what .Medical is free to the public if you cant pay .Yes you have to go to a government center or hospital .Yes you will have to wait but medication is also free .Seniors get everything for free ,but guess what people do not expect the government to carry all the load ,people do not toss their older parents in a senior facility for a big price ,they do not sit and eat everything insight and expect someone to pay for the medical billl.They do not east fast food 7 days a week .
America need to wake up it is time to change their way off thinking start eating better ,try to bring down their stress level ,stop smoking and mostly instead of listening to the media think for themselves .Who stands to benefit the most from this healthcare system ,the doctors who are scamming the government ,the drug companys who needs to keep people on drugs ,and the lobbyist who work for them .Think people do you really think the goverment dont have enough to worry about .You are all brain wash .You either want it or you dont these same people that are fighting against this plan had so many years to get it right .
I have a few questions do you really believe you need that medication after you go to the dentist .Guess what these drugs are very addicting and you dont need it .Have you gone to the doctor and because you have insurance he set you up for another visit , he also gives you 2 or three referals for test .Why is it you can walk in an emergency healthcare center so cheap without insurance and get a big bill with insurance .
This is my advice to people start thinking prevention stop stressing the small stuff ,stop eating out so much ,the food is already no good and the cooking process is worst ,for example why do you need vitamins if you eat everyday .It means the food has no nutritional value .Stop eating a burger and steak 6 days a week give up the soda and the microwave .My family have not gain any weight in ages i have been wearing the same size which is size 1 for over 20 years .I am 45 and have 2 sons ,my fiance is trying his best to gain weight ,my 19 year old son also trying to gain weight .We drink soda maybe a glass once a month ,we do not eat out i cook 7 days a week .I work in restaurants for 18 years if i eat in anyone of my work places i get pain in my stomach .i quit heating anything in the microwave .I really could careless if i have healthcare i am more concern about poverty and the economy more than i care about healthcare .Stress and depression will put more people at the hospital .I hope this message gives people a better perspective on the issue .I know i will offend some people that is not my intention we needs all kinds of perspectives to come up with good decisions .Hope i was able to help .
Taking medical advice on health care from a guy with a constant FAKE TAN?
Why didn't the Republicans come up with a Health Care plan the last eight years? Or do they just spend money on unnecessary wars???$$$
Why don't you ask the hard questions. Why is congress pushing this health care reform down our throats and they themselves will have a private health care plan they get for life paid for by the tax payers. Why do they get salary for life from tax payer money. Its a club of powerful people who don't want to eat from the same trough they are forcing all Americans to eat from. If you read to page 4?? it says if your over 65 and need something as serious as a heart transplant it will go before a board and you should consider euthenasia. I will find the exact page I read this tidbit and get back to you.
John
I think I am embarrassed by the outcry of foul from the Republicans, Obama is trying to fix a great gap in health care for millions who work but can't afford insurance, That is outrageously over priced The health care system is broke when Dr.s won't care for you because you can't afford their high paychecks.So many are suffering daily ,without prescription for daily living, inhalers, test stripes for diabetis,insulin,its all about money who has it and who gets it!Give Obama the consideration you would give any President, Senators, Representatives took the job they make it happen, just don't add all the FAT! to the bills and read them Thousand of pages of bills that no one reads or understand is terrible wrong. Too many have done wtihout and died needlessly because of MONEY!!! SueGore
I look at all the middle and older aged people and I ask them these questions. (1) How many pay for their health care themselves. (2) How many gets NO assisted for the insurance (jobs, pensions, groups). Many of the people who gets good health care are Military retired, Medicad and Medicare, free clinics , Vets all government assisted. I hear socialized medicine and care, Wake up America, the only ones not on some form of assisted medical program are the folk will no insurance and no one will to help them. You self rightous cry babies should look in the merrial.
So much ignorance –I find it difficult to watch CNN lately about health care issues– Anderson Cooper had a child on his show that needed serious treatment and they were having a lottery on their house to raise money for this little child–SICK takes on a whole new meaning in the US.. They should show more about the children stuck in the middle of this. Disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!! Republicans would worry about the old and rich.
Well, of course! The St. Pete Times, that bastion of liberal ideology, tells us the "truth". Uh-Huh. Not buying it. why don't the dems *directly* address Obama's comments from his past interviews/addresses? The guy has flat out said that he's FOR a one payer system and that getting rid of private insurance, while not immediate, will be an eventuality! Explain THAT! Has anyone been to Pelosi's site lately? Go there. It lists the "facts" of the health care bill and then, where it allows you to leave a comment to respond or rebut...it doesn't take it. Funny,huh? So they can give you "facts", and just in case you have an opposing view, they don't allow it. Typical of this administration!
The Republicans are masters at the fear factor and the ads they are running are outright lies! But the silver lining is, with Blue Dogs, we don't need Republicans in office for debate.
I have given myself the task to learn what's in the current health care bill and to investigate the health care system in other countries. I'm tired of hearing buzz words like "socialized medicine; canada; england and now germany. Well when we were stationed in Germany I saw more walkers and bike riding among the masses. I have decided to investigate as much as I can and then make decisions instead of having these self-serving politicians and Rick Scott ram rhetoric down the masses throats!
The old people are worried about their health care ???–how about the child that was on Anderson Cooper last night where they are putting the house up for a lottery to raise money for reatment for their child-CHILD!!! This made me sick..
TRUTH OR FALSE? We are being to kind. NO one wants to be called a liar, however, lets take Mr. Boehner's "statement". He states, quite clearly, that taxpayer dollars will be used for abortions. The meter says false. Well then, either HE did not read the bill, was "misinformed" by one of his aides, or he KNEW all along what was in the bill, and decided, for his own reasons, to mislead "LIE" to the american people. Whatever the reason he FAILED to execute his duties to those that elected him. I would like to see ALL of the TV stations present a program showing every elected offical in DC and next to their names would be a spot to check "truth or lie". Forget the word false! Make sure it was kept up to date and also put on computer. Maybe, just maybe, this would make our "elected officials" actually read & do some research before they put their foot in their mouths!
Well one thing I don't get is why all these angry protesters do not want Medicare/Medicaid touched. It is government healthcare. What do they think it is? A case of the greedy misleading the blind.
How is it that our own elected officials would tell the American People to "shut up"?? They have every right to speak! It is thier 1st amendment right, after all! Hard to imagine it came from a head official. And, to say that anyone who disagrees with this bill being flushed down the throats of the Americans is just un-American?? That has to be the most un-American thing that I have heard as of yet, but then can fully see why her actual public ratings are in the 20%range. I surely can see why. Before they get voted into office, they should know what the Constitution is and how to follow it and show some respect in it!
If they would only listen to the People in the first place, we would not be here now, would we? At least the Republicans did not send out emails, telling its paid members to go to the meetings and stir things up! When they did, one man was beaten and called racist remarks by the groups people, and had to spend time in a hospital!! At yet another meeting, one member of a union (as the shirt read) was a lady who smashed the camera into the face of the photographer!! What is it that the demos do not wish for you to see? The thruth?
The bill says no.....then read between the lines. They say NO....but then not a word in the bill to prevent these acts from happening in the 1st place! Come on now!! Being had, again?? The bill is 1000pages with many "slipped in". Let them read it, and also the American People, because....these unpaid protestors need answers because they are losing faith that thier elected officials would even tell them the thruth! Just start in 2010.. Get back our seats. Save ourselves. This comes from a lifetime democratic voter. I will no longer be however. I have too much love and respect in America, it's people, and our Constitutional way of life. We need no more changes, except to un-do the acts already done that were just plain unConstitutional!
Slow down and read the bill. READ IT! They say one thing, but leave out the fact that they could change these things ANYTIME without consent. If it is done, write it where those little things...like abortions and paying for illegal alien healthcare is COMPLETELY in writing...Not just half of it! Hes not completely lying here! You say that you will not, but there is nothing written in the bill to MAKE SURE OF IT! Just make sure of it, and I am sure he would then change his story. He has a right to protect his people. Its his job to do so!
Healthcare is out of control because when it (medicaid & medicare) by the demos, to begin with...I think in the 1940's.... Our money went in.. Who kept removing it? Placing it elsewhere? Changing it to include SSI for children who have no medical condition other than just being a little slower than the norm? Who actually did this damage to these good programs? We put the money in (through taxes), then they change things and take the money that we paid into the system! And, we want them to handle our healthcare here? Nah.... Not I.. Not MILLIONS of Americans now! We put value on our lives, and on our pocketbooks!! So should our ellected officials!! You think??
Good morining CNN.
I sit here in Ontario, Canada wondering what all the fuss is over about the proposed health care system changes for the U.S.!!
It has and is working in Canada and your host JD Roberts should know this! After all JD you lived in Canada and utilized the system yourself. Why don't you voice your opinion JD on what Americans call socialized medicine in Canada, the U.K. and other countries.
Why are Americans so afraid about this??
I know of hundreds of who use the system here and think it is the best in the world. Also Canadians who move to the states keep their Canadian citizenship so incase they become ill they come home to where they know they will get treatment without having a HMO.
Regards
Don C.
I believe that America needs education reform before health care reform. Not many people who are willing to be unbiased and eager to find the answers by engaging in intellectual discussions, which is disappointing.
I surely hope that this new health plan covers substantially the mentally imbalanced ... as I sure have seen a lot of mental instability when folks discuss this "bill." I cannot believe people believe the absurdity of a lot of statements. Gesh, give me a break.
Enjoyed Rep. Brad Miller interview. One question went begging . . . Did you read the bill? I wonder why?
First, let's not call these so called "contradictary" statements LIES, There are miscommunications in all aspects of life, the Health Care discussion is no different. You stated in your comment that you heard one Democrat say one thing and another say something else. What were these "contradictary" statements?
Secondly, I'm a Democrat and I would not have a problem trying the program, to see exactly how itwould work.
Thirdly, my suggestion would be to read our American history. I think you would find an eerie similarity between this debate and FDR's New Deal, in which your Social Security program was born! FDR's plans were ridiculed, as well, but as Americans where would millions be without their Social Security benefits.
Finally, let's becoming "informed" citizens and not people believing the first "snake oil" peddler who comes to our doors.
It is time that the politicians are forced to listen to the American people. How is it that we have no voice? Why would you want to institute a program that has been proven to fail...look at England and Germany! Perhaps, if all these people who are still sitting at home waiting on a handout from their president would get out and get a job, they could pay for their health care!
Boehner is one of the Real Reasons why this Health Care situation is out of hand. Glad to see CNN is actually reviewing what the truth is and not following a politician who is exploiting the opportunity by attempting to snuff this important legislation. The Mainstream media would be of service to the American people by telling the truth and reducing the amount of sensationalism and untruths expelled by various politicians and obvious organized anti-Health Bill backers.
Would you expect anything else from Boehner than a typical Republican lie to scare people? He is a disgrace to all intelligent Americans.
Now actually tell the lies told by the other side. Why don't we do that? I saw one demo say one thing, and yet another say something completely different on another station. Tell the thruth then! Let the Americans see the thruth! If the program was so darn good, why don't one democrat wish to try it first...just for a year or two?? LOL Too funny!! They know its not a good plan! So do most Americans now. The polls are beginning to show that the American People were not as stupid as formally told. They should ask. How dare ANYONE who tells an American to shut up! They do have this thing called...RIGHTS, ya know! You would think that our leaders knew these things.