Throughout the debate over the American Health Care Act, many claims have been made and concerns circulated. While some are valid, there's also been a fair amount of misinformation. Below is a round-up of a few recent fact-checks - take a look:
- Claim: The claim that 129 people with preexisting conditions 'could be denied coverage.'
Washington Post Fact-Check: "We initially rated this claim as Three Pinnocchios. Considering the totality of Harris' statement, claiming that as many as 129 million could be denied coverage, we are changing the rating on this fact check to Four Pinocchios."
- Claim: Insurance companies will be able to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
FactCheck.org Fact-Check: "Insurers would still be required to offer plans to anyone regardless of preexisting conditions."
- Claim: The GOP healthcare bill classifies rape or sexual assault as a preexisting condition.
Politifact Fact-Check: "Sexual assault, domestic violence themselves are not pre-existing conditions under GOP health bill."
- Claim: Congress is exempt from the GOP health bill.
New York Times Fact-Check: "Accusations of hypocrisy greeted the House passage of the amended American Health Care Act on Thursday, as people were outraged - erroneously - by claims that the bill does not apply to Congress. It is true that the bill exempted lawmakers from its provisions. But a subsequent piece of legislation, which the House approved, eliminated the exemption, effectively nullifying that claim.
- Claim: Seven million veterans will lose their tax credit under the GOP health bill
Washington Post Fact-Check: "But in reality, it's not so certain. Republicans have stressed that they want current protections to remain, even if Obamacare is repealed; it's an issue only because of parliamentary tactics they have chosen. They're now taking steps to turn the current IRS protections into law.
Let's continue to debate and hone the solutions the House healthcare bill puts forth - but let's ensure our debates are solidly rooted in the facts. I would invite those with concerns over the bill to share your ideas and feedback by
contacting one of my offices,
sending me an email,
requesting an in-person meeting, or signing up for one of my regularly scheduled,
live telephone townhalls.
I look forward to continuing to hear from you as we work towards a patient-centered system that gives Americans their freedom back and provides lower costs and more choices for better care.
