The Many Faces of Extremism

8/8/2019 The Many Faces of Extremism

1/21

THE MANY FACES OF

EXTREMISM

Lawmakers opposing the Affordable Care Act have espoused positions that, if enacted, would havedevastating consequences for the people they represent. This report exposes the reality of theirrhetoric and extreme consequences of repealing the new health care law.


2/21

Meet the New Kids

1

Part 1

Meet the New KidsWith a new wave of inexperienced legislators and governors rolling intooffice, the Health Information Campaign presents examples of extreme

statements and positions from newly elected officials.

Meet the new lawmakers and opponents of health reform elected in the2010 cycle. Some of them misrepresent the facts, some are out of touch, andsome of themjust dont like the health care reform law. Either way, theirideas about repealing the Affordable Care Act would have a negative impacton their constituents and are too extreme for America.


3/21

Meet the New Kids

2

Meet Rand Paul...

Paul Fact: Kentuckys new Senator wants a $2,000 deductible for Medicare.

He says seniors need to be paying more for health careSen.-elect Rand Paul (R-KY) called for a $2,000 deductible on Medicare payments

During a September 2009 town hall meeting on health care, Rand Paul advocated for higher-deductibles, saying:

A $2,000 Medicare deductible would solve a huge amountof problems.[LexingtonHerald Leader, 10/6/10]

Paul reiterated his belief that people were not paying enough for health care during a laterinterview.

"It sounds funny, but you need to be paying more for your health care."[Details, 8/2010]

Apparently, Paul thinks Kentuckys 752,776 Medicare enrollees [Kaiser11/4/10] should pay a$2,000 deductible. Never mind that Kentuckys seniors are the fourth-poorest in the nation. Never

mind that nearly 30 percent of Kentuckys Medicare enrollees fall in the Medicare Part D donuthole and already have to pay the full cost of the prescriptions a portion of the year [AARP, 2009].Paul thinks they need to pay more.

Too Extreme for Kentucky: 1 in 6 state residents are enrolled in Medicare andKentuckys seniors are the fourth-poorest in the nation.
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.htmlhttp://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.htmlhttp://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.htmlhttp://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.htmlhttp://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201008/rand-paul-kentucky-senate-republican-campaign?currentPage=2http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201008/rand-paul-kentucky-senate-republican-campaign?currentPage=2http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201008/rand-paul-kentucky-senate-republican-campaign?currentPage=2http://facts.kff.org/chart.aspx?cb=58&sctn=162&ch=1715http://facts.kff.org/chart.aspx?cb=58&sctn=162&ch=1715http://facts.kff.org/chart.aspx?cb=58&sctn=162&ch=1715http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/state_hcb_09_ky.pdfhttp://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/state_hcb_09_ky.pdfhttp://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/state_hcb_09_ky.pdfhttp://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/state_hcb_09_ky.pdfhttp://facts.kff.org/chart.aspx?cb=58&sctn=162&ch=1715http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201008/rand-paul-kentucky-senate-republican-campaign?currentPage=2http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.htmlhttp://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/06/1466161/despite-videos-rand-paul-says.html


4/21

Meet the New Kids

3

Meet Andy Harris...

Harris Fact: Politicians are tone-deaf, so vote for me, a tone-deaf doctor.

He is outraged he has to wait for his government health careThe first question Rep.-elect Andy Harris (R-MD 01) asked at new member orientation was:

When do I collect my government health care?

As an anesthesiologist for Johns Hopkins, Andy Harris campaigned against health care andpromised to vote for repeal. Throughout his campaign, Harris frequently noted he was a doctor inorder to position himself as an expert on health reform.

An excerpt from Harris op-ed on health care reform:Politicians are usually tone-deaf to those who know the most about the issue: patients and theirhealth care providers. What's going on now is no exception: No one appears to be listening towhat people are asking for in health care reform. [Harris, 9/17/09]

New members of Congress, including Harris, will be sworn in January 5, but the insuranceprovided to them through the federal government is effective February 1. Harris was surprised and

upset at the very idea that his new health insurance did not start immediately.This is the only employer Ive ever worked for where you dont get coverage the first day

you are employed.[Politico, 11/15/10]

Harris asked what he would do without 28 days of health care, said a congressional stafferwho saw the exchange.[Politico, 11/15/10]

Extremely Out of Touch: Harris asks, Wheres my government health care?
http://www.andyharris.com/issues/firstchoices.pdfhttp://www.andyharris.com/issues/firstchoices.pdfhttp://www.andyharris.com/issues/firstchoices.pdfhttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html)http://www.andyharris.com/issues/firstchoices.pdf


5/21

Meet the New Kids

4

A self-proclaimed health care expert, Dr. Harris is completely out of touch with the real life healthcare issues Americans face. The reaction above demonstrates tone-deafness to the three out of fourcovered workers who waited an average of 2.2 months for their employers coverage to kick in

[Kaiser Family Foundation, 9/10]; or the 59 million Americans who were uninsured at some point

in 2010, according to the CDC. [CBS, 11/10/10]
http://ehbs.kff.org/pdf/2010/8085.pdfhttp://ehbs.kff.org/pdf/2010/8085.pdfhttp://ehbs.kff.org/pdf/2010/8085.pdfhttp://cbs4.com/health/uninsured.health.care.2.2004156.htmlhttp://cbs4.com/health/uninsured.health.care.2.2004156.htmlhttp://cbs4.com/health/uninsured.health.care.2.2004156.htmlhttp://cbs4.com/health/uninsured.health.care.2.2004156.htmlhttp://ehbs.kff.org/pdf/2010/8085.pdf


6/21

Meet the New Kids

5

Meet Renee Ellmers...

Ellmers Fact: Wants to repeal the pre-existing condition provision of the healthcare law.

She doesnt wantto cover maternity care: Its very costlyRep.-elect Renee Ellmers (R-NC 02) wouldnt guarantee coverage for pregnant women or those with

pre-existing conditions

During her campaign, Renee Ellmers told the Clayton News-Starshe did not think insurancecompanies should be required to accept people with pre-existing conditions.

Let the private insurance companies decide how theyre going to handle the pre -existingconditions situation, she [Ellmers] said.[Clayton News-Star, 9/29/10]

In the same interview Ellmers was asked whether all insurance customers should have to help pay

for maternity care, as pregnancy is typically considered a pre-existing condition by insurers.

Maternity coveragethats another one. Should you have to pay for someone elses

[maternity care]? Maybe youve decided youve had your children, or maybe we have a 35-year-old female whos had a hysterectomy. Should she have to pay maternity coverage?Maternity coverage is very costly, Ellmers said.[Clayton News-Star, 9/29/10]

Ellmers and her husband travelled across the country on the Americans for Prosperity bus tourprotesting the health care law. The group was founded and is financially supported by billionairetea-party patron David Koch. [The New Yorker, 8/30/10]

Ellmers Fact: She doesnt thinkmaternity care should be covered.
http://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayerhttp://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayerhttp://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayerhttp://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayerhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htmhttp://claytonnews-star.com/ellmers-hopes-to-ride-gop-wave-p1572-106.htm


7/21

Meet the New Kids

6

Too Extreme for North Carolina: Nearly 2 million Tar Heels have pre-existingconditions that could preclude them from coverage.

More than 1.8 million North Carolinians, including 50 percent of those between ages of 55 and 64,have a pre-existing condition that could prevent them from accessing coverage [FamiliesUSA,5/10]. Ellmers wants to let insurers figure out how to deal with pre-existing conditions, but theyhad their chance and dealt with it by denying coverage. A congressional investigation found thatfrom 2007 to 2009, the top four insurance companies denied one out of seven applicants coveragebased on conditions such as pregnancy, angina, diabetes and heart disease [CNBC10/13/10].

Lack of insurance is often cited as a major barrier to quality prenatal care. Before the AffordableCare Act passed, maternity coverage was an exception, not the rule. Only 14 percent of privateindividual plans offered it in 2009 [National Womens Law Center, 2009]. More than two womendie every day in the United States from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Quality,accessible maternity care could prevent approximately half these deaths [Amnesty International,3/2010].

Too Extreme for Women: Ellmers takes womens health a step back.
http://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/95710.pdfhttp://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/95710.pdfhttp://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/95710.pdfhttp://www.cnbc.com/id/39646830/Half_a_Million_Americans_Denied_Health_Coveragehttp://www.cnbc.com/id/39646830/Half_a_Million_Americans_Denied_Health_Coveragehttp://www.cnbc.com/id/39646830/Half_a_Million_Americans_Denied_Health_Coveragehttp://www.nwlc.org/our-resources/reports_toolkits/nowhere-to-turnhttp://www.nwlc.org/our-resources/reports_toolkits/nowhere-to-turnhttp://www.nwlc.org/our-resources/reports_toolkits/nowhere-to-turnhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/our-resources/reports_toolkits/nowhere-to-turnhttp://www.cnbc.com/id/39646830/Half_a_Million_Americans_Denied_Health_Coveragehttp://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/95710.pdf


8/21

Meet the New Kids

7

Meet Austin Scott...

Scott Fact: He wants repealwithout replace.

He says there just arent any good things in the new lawRep.-elect Austin Scott (R-GA 08) opposes the entire health care law; even the patient protection

provisions supported by 75 percent of Americans.

During an October 2010 debate, Austin Scott said he did not support any of the provisions of thenew health care law.

MODERATOR: Are they any provisions of the health care bill passed that you support,

that youd like to keep?

SCOTT: No, maam, there are not. There just arent. [Think Progress, 10/14/10]

In fact, Scott is opposed to Congress passing any laws regarding the health care system. CNNreporter T.J. Holmes pressed Scott about his extreme position on repeal. He confronted Scott withthe two provisions most popular with the public: extending dependent coverage to young adults upto age 26 and banning coverage denial based on pre-existing conditions.

SCOTT: I would like to start over completely. I think those things should be left up to theindividual states. And I think that the states should determine --

HOLMES: But not the federal government? You don't think those are good enough that thefederal government should keep those in place?

SCOTT: I do not believe that the federal government should have control over the healthcare system. I think that the states should determine whether or not they want those issuesin their health insurance at a state level. [CNN, 10/20/10]
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/austin-scott-pre-existing/http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/austin-scott-pre-existing/http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/austin-scott-pre-existing/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1010/20/cnr.03.htmlhttp://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1010/20/cnr.03.htmlhttp://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1010/20/cnr.03.htmlhttp://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1010/20/cnr.03.htmlhttp://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/austin-scott-pre-existing/


9/21

Meet the New Kids

8

Scott does not think Congress should pass any laws controlling the health care system, even those

that protect patients and extend dependent coverage. Specifically, Scotts extreme version of repealwould eliminate coverage for the estimated 43,500 young adults in Georgia who gained access tohealth coverage through their parents plan as a result of the new law [WhiteHouse.gov]. It wouldalso threaten the more than 1.8 million Georgians who have pre-existing conditions that couldprevent them from accessing health coverage [FamiliesUSA, 5/2010].

Too Extreme for Georgia: 43,500 Georgia young adults gained access to healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health-reform-states/affordable-care-act-immediate-benefits-ga.pdfhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health-reform-states/affordable-care-act-immediate-benefits-ga.pdfhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health-reform-states/affordable-care-act-immediate-benefits-ga.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/georgia.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/georgia.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/georgia.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/georgia.pdfhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health-reform-states/affordable-care-act-immediate-benefits-ga.pdf


10/21

Meet the New Kids

9

Meet Blake Farenthold...

Farenthold Fact: He thinks the 170 million Americans who have employer-basedhealth insurance have no personal responsibility.

He Says You Dont Have Enough Skin in the GameRep.-elect Blake Farenthold (R-TX 27) proposes high-deductible plans that could bankrupt low-

income Americans

During his campaign, Blake Farenthold blamed employer-based health insurance for the countryshealth care problems:

Our healthcare system is broken because we have taken personal responsibility out of it.

Consumers have no skin in the game. Employers pay for the insurance, doctors bill theinsurance companies and all the consumer is out of the loop. There is no incentive for anyone tokeep costs down. If I had grocery insurance, Id be eating steak and lobster every night.[Farenthold]

Farenthold claims Americans do not have enough skin in the game, but bankruptcy studies sayotherwise. Unpaid medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States,causing 62 percent of bankruptcies in 2007. Of those who filed for bankruptcy, nearly 80 percenthad insurance. [American Journal of Medicine, 6/5/09]

On his website, Farenhold proposes high-deductible health plans featuring expanded HealthSavings Accounts to reduce health costs. High-deductible plans create a high financial hurdle thatAmericans struggle to clear. They often lead to severe financial problems that put care out of reach.More than half of adults in the highest-deductible plans report difficulty paying bills or accumulateddebt. Nearly 60 percent of Americans with an illness would have trouble paying medical bills undera high-deductible plan [Commonwealth Fund, 2005].

Extremely Out of Touch: Medical costs are the leading cause of bankruptcy.
http://blakefarenthold.com/faqs/do-you-think-the-state-of-health-care-in-this-country-is-acceptable-what-is-your-suggestion-for-change-if-any/http://blakefarenthold.com/faqs/do-you-think-the-state-of-health-care-in-this-country-is-acceptable-what-is-your-suggestion-for-change-if-any/http://blakefarenthold.com/faqs/do-you-think-the-state-of-health-care-in-this-country-is-acceptable-what-is-your-suggestion-for-change-if-any/http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2809%2900404-5/abstracthttp://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2809%2900404-5/abstracthttp://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2809%2900404-5/abstracthttp://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2005/Apr/How-High-Is-Too-High--Implications-of-High-Deductible-Health-Plans.aspxhttp://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2005/Apr/How-High-Is-Too-High--Implications-of-High-Deductible-Health-Plans.aspxhttp://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2005/Apr/How-High-Is-Too-High--Implications-of-High-Deductible-Health-Plans.aspxhttp://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2005/Apr/How-High-Is-Too-High--Implications-of-High-Deductible-Health-Plans.aspxhttp://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2809%2900404-5/abstracthttp://blakefarenthold.com/faqs/do-you-think-the-state-of-health-care-in-this-country-is-acceptable-what-is-your-suggestion-for-change-if-any/


11/21

Meet the New Kids

10

Meet Rick Scott...

Scott Fact: Scott was CEO of company fined $1.7 billion for Medicare/Medicaidfraud.

Hes either a Schnook or a CrookGov.-elect Rick Scott (R-FL) presided over a company guilty of nations largest Medicare fraud

scandal, started a group to Swift Boat health reform, and now presides over the state of Florida

Scott presided over Columbia/HCA, the largest private, for-profit health care company in thecountry, as it committed massive fraud. The company paid $1.7 billion in fines in the largestMedicare fraud settlement in American history. Scotts company had a long record of committing

fraudulent activities, including:

Billing Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs for tests that were not necessary orordered by physicians. [Politifact, 6/10/10]

Upcoding, or claiming patients were sicker than they were to increase Medicare reimbursementto the hospitals. [Politifact, 6/10/10]

Illegally claiming non-reimbursable marketing and advertising costs as community education.[Politifact, 6/10/10]

Providing physician kickbacks, such as lavish fishing trips to Costa Rica, free office rent,discounted pharmaceuticals, bogus consulting jobs, and free ownership shares in Columbia

hospitals, to doctors in return for Medicare referrals. [Miami Herald, 6/27/10]

Improperly billing patients for home health visits. [Miami Herald, 6/27/10]
http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTEwNDcxMjg%3Dhttp://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/jun/10/bill-mccollum/rick-scott-leading-polls-opponents-pull-out-fraud-/


12/21


13/21

Remember These Guys?

12

Part 2

Remember These Guys?The new kids arent the only ones going to extremes to oppose the

Affordable Care Act. The Health Information Campaign presents examples

of currently elected lawmakers who have also made extreme statements

against health care reform.

Some of them try to scare the public, some of them ignore the facts, and

some of them are just plain hypocritical. Just like the new kids, the

positions of these lawmakers would be devastating to the health coverage of

the people they represent.


14/21


13

Remember Rick Perry?

Perry Fact: Texas can deliver health care better than the feds.

He Says Texas Should Secede (from Medicaid)Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is pushing a plan that would cost Texas billions and could leave millions

without health insurance

As his state tries to find answers to a budget shortfall, Gov. Rick Perry and a few state legislatorsproposed the idea that Texas should withdraw from the federal Medicaid program.

We know how to deliver healthcare to more people in a less expensive way than what the

federal government does. (States) need to stand up and say, We dont want your strings

attached. We dont want you down here telling us how to run our business. [Ft. WorthStar-Telegram, 11/13/10]

Of the 3.3 million Medicaid enrollees in Texas, nearly 2.6 millionmostly poor childrenwouldlose coverage if Texas opted out of the program [Dallas Morning News, 12/3/10]. Beyond that,withdrawing from Medicaid could have dire consequences for Texas economy. With one in 12

Texans employed by the health care industry, secession could cost the state $900 billion in losteconomic activity. [Dallas Morning News, 11/30/10]

And while Texans would no longer benefit from Medicaid, they would still pay for it. BecauseMedicaid is funded through Texans federal taxes, the people of the Lone Star State would still be

subsidizing the program for other states. [New York Times, 11/19/10]

Extremely Out of Touch: Seceding from Medicaid could cost Texas $900 billionand leave 2.6 million without coverage.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.htmlhttp://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.htmlhttp://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.htmlhttp://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120410dntexmedicare.28e34f9bb.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120410dntexmedicare.28e34f9bb.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120410dntexmedicare.28e34f9bb.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-jacob_01edi.State.Edition1.299b09a.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-jacob_01edi.State.Edition1.299b09a.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-jacob_01edi.State.Edition1.299b09a.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/opinion/20sat1.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/opinion/20sat1.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/opinion/20sat1.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/opinion/20sat1.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-jacob_01edi.State.Edition1.299b09a.htmlhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120410dntexmedicare.28e34f9bb.htmlhttp://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.htmlhttp://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/13/2629628/conservative-legislators-in-texas.html


15/21


14

Remember Jon Kyl?

Kyl Fact: He doesnt see the need for expanding maternity care.

He Doesnt Want to Pay for Maternity Care Because Hes A Man

Like Rep.-elect Renee Ellmers (R-NC 02), Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) does not want to pay for maternitycare for American women

Sen. Jon Kyl attempted to strike it from the Senate Finance Committees health bill and opposed itagain as part of the Affordable Care Act.

I don't need maternity care, Kyl said. So requiring that on my insurance policy issomething that I don't need and will make the policy more expensive. [TPM9/25/09].

Because of a process called gender rating, women have paid more than men for identical health

care plans. Often, non-smoking women paid more than male smokers. And maternity care was notresponsible for the price difference, given that it was offered on only 14 percent of privateindividual health plans in 2009. Last year, a 25-year-old woman was charged up to 84 percent morethan a man of the same age on plans that did not include maternity coverage. [National Womens

Law Center, 2009]

The Affordable Care Act ends the discriminatory practice of gender rating, lowering healthcoverage costs for women. It also includes maternity coverage as an essential health benefit thatmust be covered by certain plans beginning in 2014. While two American women die every day dueto pregnancy and childbirth complications, quality maternity care could cut that number in half.[Amnesty International, 3/2010]

Extremely Out of Touch: Women pay more for health insurance, and notbecause of maternit care.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/kyl-i-dont-need-maternity-care-stabenow-your-mom-probably-did.phphttp://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/kyl-i-dont-need-maternity-care-stabenow-your-mom-probably-did.phphttp://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/kyl-i-dont-need-maternity-care-stabenow-your-mom-probably-did.phphttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.amnestyusa.org/dignity/pdf/DeadlyDeliverySummary.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/stillnowheretoturn.pdfhttp://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/kyl-i-dont-need-maternity-care-stabenow-your-mom-probably-did.php


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Remember John Ensign?

Ensign Fact: He condemned health care spending in the Affordable Care Act aswasteful.

He Wants Some of That Wasteful Health Care MoneySen. John Ensign (R-NV) called health reform wasteful, then sought the funds it provided for a

project in Nevada

On his Senate website, Sen. John Ensign says:

The new health law is filled with billions in wasteful government spending and expandedgovernment.[Ensign]

Ensign penned a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting grant moneyauthorized by the law for the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, despite his concerns forthe new laws constitutionality and cost. Ensign was willing to admit these funds would helpNevadans face their growing health care challenges in his letter; however, he spews anti-healthreform rhetoric on his official website. [ThinkProgress, 11/15/10]

Extremely Hypocritical: Ensign sought a piece of health care spending he calledwasteful.
http://c/Users/owner/Documents/Ensign1.JPGhttp://c/Users/owner/Documents/Ensign1.JPGhttp://c/Users/owner/Documents/Ensign1.JPGhttp://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/15/ensign-health-reform/http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/15/ensign-health-reform/http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/15/ensign-health-reform/http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/15/ensign-health-reform/http://c/Users/owner/Documents/Ensign1.JPG


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Remember Chuck Grassley?

Grassley Fact: Grassley told Iowans about a government program that wouldpull the plug on grandma.

He Warned Iowans about Government Death Panels

End-of-life counseling was included in a Medicare bill Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) supported in 2003

Sen. Chuck Grassley was working on a bipartisan health reform bill when he attacked theAffordable Care Act at an Iowa town hall meeting.

There is some fear because in the House bill, there is counseling for end-of-life, Grassley

said. And from that standpoint, you have every right to fear. You shouldn't havecounseling at the end of life. You ought to have counseling 20 years before you're going to die.You ought to plan these things out. And I don't have any problem with things like living wills.But they ought to be done within the family. We should not have a government program thatdetermines if you're going to pull the plug on grandma. [Huffington Post, 8/12/09]

The death panel provision that caused such a stir was not a death panel at all. In fact, it simply

provided Medicare coverage for optional end-of-life planning. In 2003, Grassley voted for a billthat contained a provision similar to the death panel provision he used to scare voters in 2009.[Time, 8/13/09]

Extremely Hypocritical: He was for death panels before he was against them.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/12/grassley-endorses-death-p_n_257677.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/12/grassley-endorses-death-p_n_257677.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/12/grassley-endorses-death-p_n_257677.htmlhttp://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/13/oh-those-death-panels/http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/13/oh-those-death-panels/http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/13/oh-those-death-panels/http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/13/oh-those-death-panels/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/12/grassley-endorses-death-p_n_257677.html


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Remember Steve King?

King Fact: Wants entire health reform bill repealed immediately.

He Calls Health Reform a Cancer on Americas SpiritRep. Steve King (R-IA 05) compared the Affordable Care Act to a tumor and called for a full repeal,

even of consumer protection provisions

Breaking with his partys leadership, Rep. Steve King told Fox News Neil Cavuto that the entireAffordable Care Act needed to be repealed immediately, including provisions others in his partyhave supported.

I called it a toxic stew weeks ago, and a toxic stew, you can't separate it. You can't take a

teaspoon of it and say, 'well that wasn't so bad.' But now it's become the tumor of a cancer inour legislation, and you can't take a tumor out in part. You've got to pull it all out. And somewill say, 'well there's some viable tissue there,' but that's the price of something that is acancer on America's spirit and vitality. [TPM, 4/2/10]

Many supporters of repeal, including Kings party leadership, have vowed to keep certainprovisions of the law. These include provisions protecting those with pre-existing conditions,allowing young adults to remain on their parents plans until age 26, and strengthening Medicare.

Removing these provisions would have disastrous effects for many Iowans, including:

The 596,000 (24%) with a pre-existing condition who, if King got his way, could be deniedhealth coverage. [FamiliesUSA, 5/2010]

The 8,330 young adults who would not have insurance coverage if they could no longerremain on their parents plan until age 26. [HealthReform.gov]

Extremely Out of Touch: One in four Iowans have a pre-existing condition thatcould prevent them from getting coverage.
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/steve-king-health-care-is-a-tumor-and-we-have-to-pull-it-all-out.phphttp://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/steve-king-health-care-is-a-tumor-and-we-have-to-pull-it-all-out.phphttp://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/steve-king-health-care-is-a-tumor-and-we-have-to-pull-it-all-out.phphttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/iowa.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/iowa.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/iowa.pdfhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions/iowa.pdfhttp://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/steve-king-health-care-is-a-tumor-and-we-have-to-pull-it-all-out.php


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More than 57,000 small businesses that could qualify for a small-business tax credit to helpprovide health coverage to their employees. [HealthReform.gov]

The 23,098 Medicare beneficiaries who hit the Medicare donut hole in 2010 and received$250 rebate checks to help cover the cost of prescription drugs. [Healthcare.gov]
http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.htmlhttp://www.healthcare.gov/center/states/ia.htmlhttp://www.healthcare.gov/center/states/ia.htmlhttp://www.healthcare.gov/center/states/ia.htmlhttp://www.healthcare.gov/center/states/ia.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/iowa.html


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Remember Virginia Foxx?

Foxx Fact: Thinks all Americans already had access to quality health care.

She Says There Are No Uninsured AmericansRep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC 05) derided health reform as a massive tax increase

At a press conference in July 2009, Rep. Virginia Foxx disputed the fact that there were Americanswho did not have access to health care.

There are no Americans who dont have healthcare. Everybody in this country has

access to healthcare, she says.[ThinkProgress, 7/24/09]

Then, in November, Foxx took to the House floor to battle health care reform again:

And I believe the greatest fear that we all should have to our freedom comes from thisroomthis very roomand what may happen later this week in terms of a taxincrease bill masquerading as a health care bill. I believe we have more to fear from thepotential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country.[ThinkProgress, 11/2/09]

The Affordable Care Act addresses one of the major problems facing the American health caresystem: access to coverage. Studies estimate as many as 22,000 unnecessary deaths occurred in2006 due to lack of insurance coverage [Urban Institute, 1/2008]. An estimated 9,600 NorthCarolinians would die prematurely due to lack of insurance coverage over the next decade. Inaddition, more than 1 million uninsured North Carolinians will have access to health insurance by2019. [FamiliesUSA, 5/2010]

Extremely Out of Touch: An estimated 1 million uninsured North Carolinians

will gain coverage under the new law.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/02/foxx-health-care-terrorism/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/02/foxx-health-care-terrorism/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/02/foxx-health-care-terrorism/http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411588_uninsured_dying.pdfhttp://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411588_uninsured_dying.pdfhttp://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411588_uninsured_dying.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/docs/health-reform-helps-states/north-carolina.dochttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/docs/health-reform-helps-states/north-carolina.dochttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/docs/health-reform-helps-states/north-carolina.dochttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/docs/health-reform-helps-states/north-carolina.dochttp://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411588_uninsured_dying.pdfhttp://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/02/foxx-health-care-terrorism/http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/


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Foxx claims the Affordable Care Act is a tax increase. But the law will provide tax breaks to morethan 1 million North Carolinians, the total value of which will exceed $4 billion. Half of those willbe uninsured, with the tax credit allowing them access to coverage that was previouslyunaffordable. [FamiliesUSA, 9/2010]

Furthermore, 124,000 of the states small businesses will be eligible for a small business tax creditthat makes it easier for businesses to provide insurance to their employees. [HealthReform.gov]
http://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/premium-tax-credits/North-Carolina.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/premium-tax-credits/North-Carolina.pdfhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/premium-tax-credits/North-Carolina.pdfhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/northcarolina.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/northcarolina.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/northcarolina.htmlhttp://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/northcarolina.htmlhttp://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/premium-tax-credits/North-Carolina.pdf

The Many Faces of Extremism

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