Distortions rife in health care debate

[high density]

Source: Associated Press

Confusing claims and outright distortions have animated the national debate over changes in the health care system. Opponents of proposals by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats falsely claim that government agents will force elderly people to discuss end-of-life wishes. Obama has played down the possibility that a health care overhaul would cause large numbers of people to change doctors and insurers.
...
CLAIM: The Democrats' plans will lead to rationing, or the government determining which medical procedures a patient can have.

"Expanding government health programs will hasten the day that government rations medical care to seniors," conservative writer Michael Cannon said in the Washington Times.

THE FACTS: Millions of Americans already face rationing, as insurance companies rule on procedures they will cover.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32258640/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

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A very rare view of the AP actually doing their job and examining the spin being thrown out by the Republicans.

[Posteritatis]

1. I wish they'd say "lies" instead of "distortions"

Though that sounds awkwardly-phrase enough that I wonder if they're actually forbidden from using the L-word.

[depakid]

3. Using the "L" word would expose America for what it's become

A culture of lies.

That in turn would require a rethinking that most people are uncomfortable with.

[Omaha Steve]

2. K&R!

[silverweb]

4. Spread this around!

:kick:

[tocqueville]

5. WWJD ?

[Posteritatis]

6. WWJD? JWRTFM. (nt)

[PSPS]

7. While the piece is welcome, the headline is another AP hit job.

"Distortions rife in health care debate" implies that both "sides" are lying when, in fact, its only the GOP republicans and other industry shills that are lying. Every lie debunked in the article comes from the right-wing Wurlitzer.

Of course, we know why. AP's customers are newspapers and other media who rely on advertising revenue from big pharma and the "health-for-profit" industry.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Note that this comes out on a weekend.

By tomorrow, it will be business as usual with AP feeding the distortions by reporting them without correction.