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.
Cost-shifting of uninsured is debated by the experts
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/21/obama.stephanoupolous.art.jpg caption="President Obama in an interview on "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos."]
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
Read more: Another study contests that figure
Health care advocacy group blasts insurers for CEO pay packages
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/21/hcan.ceo.art.jpg caption="The ad from Health Care for America Now says insurance CEOs make $24 million a year and that insurers deny 1 in 5 treatments prescribed by doctors."]
Supporters of health care reform have portrayed insurance company CEOs as overpaid villains. In a recent television ad, Health Care for America Now, a group supporting the Democrats' health care reform bill, takes direct aim at the CEOs.
The group's ad mockingly explains "how to get rich" by showing a "book" written "by America's health insurance companies." Chapter 2 reads, "Pay your CEO $24,000,000 a year." A news release issued by HCAN attributed the assertion to the entry for Ronald A. Williams, CEO of insurance giant Aetna, in the 2008 Forbes magazine executive compensation survey.
The Truth-O-Meter says: BARELY TRUE
Read more: Cherry-picking highest number
TV ad overstates health insurance denials
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/21/hcan.ad.denied.art.jpg caption="The ad from Health Care for America Now says insurance CEOs make $24 million a year and that insurers deny 1 in 5 treatments prescribed by doctors."]
Supporters of health care reform have portrayed insurance companies as insensitive and too quick to deny claims. In a recent television ad, Health Care for America Now, a group supporting the Democrats' health care reform bill, says insurance companies get wealthy by denying those claims.
The group's ad mockingly explains "how to get rich" by showing a "book" written "by America's health insurance companies." Chapter 3 reads, "Deny 1 out of 5 treatments prescribed by doctors." A news release issued by HCAN attributed this statistic to a study released Sept. 2, 2009, by the California Nurses Association titled, "California's Real Death Panels: Insurers Deny 21% of Claims."
The Truth-O-Meter says: FALSE
