The Lowdown on Healthcare, Part 1

Healthcare is too important an issue to justifiably fit into one 400-word post. In Part 1, we're going to examine exactly what the candidates said, how they framed it, and where the claims come from. In part 2, we're going to speak directly on the forces which influence the position of each candidate and their rhetorical strategies.

What Akin Said:

Akin had two things to say about healthcare at the Sep. 21 Press Association debate. First he claimed that Obamacare cuts $700 billion from Medicare.

Second, he targeted the IPAB board (Independent Payment Advisory Board) as an entity which decides whether or not people get care.

To finish it off, he took the party line "Government is bad. It's taking choices away from consumers, setting prices and rationing out care!" His entire response was framed around this idea that the government is a giant, fearsome entity out to take care and freedom away from citizens (presumably the elderly).

Claire's Response:

On page 5

Claire countered that Obamacare "doesn't cut one dime from Medicare benefits." The $700 billion number comes from a document originating in the Congressional Budget office.

This document estimates federal spending will increase by $741 billion if Obamacare is repealed.

So not only is the characterization of a "cut" inaccurate, Claire is actually the one voting to reduce Federal spending.

Where's the money go?

Akin and Claire both reference the valid concern this information appeals to; if all this money is being taken away from medicare then how will the seniors get care?

Page 365 of "Obamacare"

Akin deceptively fearmongers with his IPAB response. Seniors can't lose their treatment under Obamacare because it's written into the law.

So how exactly is spending reduced? Claire's response was the pilot program at St. Johns Hospital.

In essence: smarter spending, bloat reduction.

While we know Akin is against Medicare, no amount of Claire's consistently truthful attack ads could compare to the damage that would occur if Missourians understood exactly what Claire's response was all about.

"What I didn't hear in Congressman Akin's answer was his plan. His plan is to privatize medicare, he wants to give seniors a voucher and once you spend your voucher, you're on your own."

In Part 2, we'll cover exactly why this is so significant.

We're the Show-Me state. Verify for yourself, the medicare portion starts at 27:00.