Friday, August 21, 2009

AP distorts health care plan facts

AP claims to educate us:
FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root

WASHINGTON—The judgment is harsh in a new poll that finds Americans worried about the government taking over health insurance, cutting off treatment to the elderly and giving coverage to illegal immigrants. Harsh, but not based on facts. ...

THE POLL: 45 percent said it's likely the government will decide when to stop care for the elderly; 50 percent said it's not likely. ...

THE POLL: 55 percent expect the overhaul will give coverage to illegal immigrants; 34 percent don't. ...

THE POLL: 54 percent said the overhaul will lead to a government takeover of health care; 39 percent disagree. ...

THE POLL: 50 percent expect taxpayer dollars will be used to pay for abortions; 37 percent don't.
Here is a similar CNN article.

I am with the public on this. The vast majority of those promoting the Obama plan want to give free treatment to illegal aliens in emergency rooms, pay for abortions, ration medical care to the elderly, and they all regard this plan as just a step towards a govt takeover of health care.

If the plan proponents really want to dispel these myths, then they should add features that are directly counter to them. Eg, they could immediately pass a law saying that hospitals do not have to treat illegal aliens.

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