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.
Obama says preventive care saves money. It doesn't.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/09/obama.speech/art.obama.speech.03.pool.jpg caption="President Obama speaks to a joint session of Congress on September 9th, 2009."]
President Barack Obama defended his health care plan in a speech to a joint session of Congress, promoting the benefits of reform for those who already have coverage.
One of those benefits, he said, is that insurers will be required to cover checkups and other preventive care.
"Insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies — because there’s no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse," Obama said. "That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives."
It may make sense and save lives, but does it save money? Experts say no.
The Truth-O-Meter says: FALSE
Read more: Covering preventive care for everyone is a net cost
Boehner says abortion access was always a key goal for Obama health plan
[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. "]
As a candidate, President Obama "declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president."
-John Boehner on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 in a statement from the Minority Leader's office
The Truth-O-Meter says: TRUE
Read more: Obama's wording was coy, but Boehner's basically right
Boustany and other Republicans say health care plan would create 53 new government bureaucracies
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/14/boustany.art.jpg caption="Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) on Capitol Hill February 6, 2007 in Washington, DC."]
The Democratic health care bill in the House would "create 53 new government bureaucracies."
-Charles Boustany on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 in response to President Obama's health care address to Congress
The Truth-O-Meter says: BARELY TRUE
