LOWDEN: As a mom I know one-size-fits-all clothes don't fit, aren't comfortable and are seldom a bargain. So why does Harry Reid want to force one-size fits-all government health care on us? Harry Reid thinks Washington knows best. But I think we the people know best.

FACT: THE SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL PRESERVES THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, QUALITY COVERAGE FOR 518,000 NEVADANS AND ENACTING BADLY-NEEDED INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS

PolitiFact: “By Any Reasonable Definition, There’s No Way That The Democratic Plan Could Be Considered A Government Takeover.” In February 2010, PolitiFact wrote, “Many Republicans have said the Democratic health care plan is a ‘government takeover’ of the nation's health system. The phrase has appeared in at least 700 newspaper articles in the past six months, according to a Nexis search. It's been a powerful weapon for the GOP opposition because it conjures images of a sluggish, state-run bureaucracy … By any reasonable definition, there's no way that the Democratic plan could be considered a government takeover. Indeed, its primary approach is to set up new systems to encourage private health insurance companies to provide more coverage and better services. The cornerstone of the Democratic program is actually the status quo. The majority of Americans would continue to get health coverage the way they do now -- from private insurance companies. That coverage would be paid for the same way it is now -- by private employers and individual premiums. That's not a government takeover.” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

PolitiFact: “Once again, we are faced with over-the-top rhetoric about the health care plan. It's perfectly legitimate to raise questions about the plan and the government's role, but it's wildly incorrect to label it a government takeover. Yes, the plan would expand the government's role, but it primarily would continue to rely on private insurers for the vast majority of Americans. And, for people who have trouble getting coverage, it would create a marketplace so people could shop for coverage from private insurers. It's ridiculously false to call that a government takeover. For this one, we need to strike a match and set the meter ablaze. Pants on Fire!” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

Las Vegas Sun: Senate Health Care Bill Is “An Important Step Toward Providing Health Coverage For Every American.” In a December 2009 editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “Just after 1 a.m. Monday, the Senate turned back a Republican filibuster attempt on health care reform legislation, opening the way for its expected passage this week. Although not perfect, the bill is a tremendous achievement and an important step toward providing health coverage for every American … More than 30 million Americans, including 518,000 Nevadans, who don’t have insurance will become eligible for affordable health care under the plan. The legislation would provide tax credits for individuals and small businesses to help them pay for insurance coverage. The bill lays out a deficit-reduction plan, and it should ease the burden taxpayers and people with insurance carry because of the uninsured, the costs of whose use of public medical services and hospital emergency rooms currently are passed on to taxpayers and people with insurance. The legislation also would prohibit providers from denying people insurance because of pre-existing conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, ailments that afflict millions.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 12/22/09]

LOWDEN: Harry Reid's big government health care plan will raise taxes...

FACT: NEVADANS PAY A HIDDEN TAX TO COVER THOSE WHO LACK HEALTH INSURANCE, NEED CARE AND CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY IT

The Average American Families Pay More Than $1,000 Each Year In Order To Cover Health Care For The Uninsured. In May 2009, USA Today reported, “The average U.S. family and their employers paid an extra $1,017 in health care premiums last year to compensate for the uninsured, according to a study to be released Thursday by an advocacy group for health care consumers. Families USA, which supports expanded health care coverage, found that about 37% of health care costs for people without insurance — or a total of $42.7 billion — went unpaid last year. That cost eventually was shifted to the insured through higher premiums, according to the group. ‘I don't think anybody has any idea about how much they are paying because of the need to cover the health care costs of the uninsured,’ said Ron Pollack, the group's executive director. ‘This is a hidden tax on all insurance premiums, whether it is paid by business for their work or by families when they purchase their own coverage.’” [USA Today, 5/28/09]

LOWDEN: ... put a bureaucrat between you and your doctor

FACT: HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE RATIONING CARE. REFORMING THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE DECISION-MAKING POWER AWAY FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND GIVE IT BACK TO PATIENTS AND DOCTORS

Senate Health Reform Bill Will Protect Consumers From Insurance Industry Practices That Deny Them The Care They Need. In December 2009, the Washington Post reported that under the Senate’s health reform bill, “Starting immediately, insurers would be barred from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions. A total ban on the practice would take effect in 2014. Lifetime limits on coverage would be banned, and annual limits would be restricted until 2014, when they, too, would be banned entirely. Insurers would be required to justify rate increases, and patients would have the right to appeal denials of claims to an independent state board. All insurance companies would be required to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar they collect in premiums on delivering care to customers.” [Washington Post, 12/20/09]

Las Vegas Sun Criticized Republican “Scare Tactics” During The Health Care Debate – Including Bogus Claims Of “Rationing.” In a December 2009 editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “Republicans have made this a fiercely partisan issue and tried to kill the legislation, along with the hope of health care for millions of Americans. Using fire-and-brimstone rhetoric, Republicans have tried to frighten people and have been able to scare up some opposition to the bill. Unfortunately, scare tactics have made it more difficult to pass the bill, particularly since Republicans and their supporters on the far right have been unwilling to even talk about any meaningful legislation. They have particularly whipped people up into a frenzy with disingenuous arguments, including those about ‘rationed’ health care. Never mind that health care is already rationed through private insurance companies.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 12/22/09 (emphasis added)]

FACT: SUE LOWDEN VOTED TO PUT INSURANCE COMPANIES BETWEEN PATIENTS AND DOCTORS AND TO ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO REFUSE TO COVER LIFESAVING PREVENTIVE CARE UNLESS THEY PAID HIGHER PREMIUMS

Sue Lowden Voted To Allow Insurance Companies To Deny Payment For Covered Services. In 1995, Sue Lowden opposed Senate Bill 196, which would have prohibited insurance companies from refusing to pay for medical services that are covered by a plan and provided by a licensed medical provider. The legislation also would have prohibited insurance companies from automatically denying payment for services they considered medically unnecessary. [Senate Bill 196 floor vote, 6/24/95]

Lowden Voted Against Requiring Insurance Companies To Cover Preventative Care. During committee debate over a health-care bill, Sue Lowden moved to remove a section of the bill that would require insurance companies to include coverage for pap smears, mammograms, prenatal care, and prostate cancer screening. According to the committee minutes, “Senator Regan pointed out section 11.5, subsection 1, paragraphs (a) – (d) are preventative care. Senator Lowden agrees, but she stipulated those should be options, not mandates.” [NV Senate Commerce and Labor Committee minutes, 6/15/95]

Lowden Stands By Her Vote Against Preventative Care. In 2009, Sue Lowden stood by her vote to remove rules that require insurance companies to cover preventative care. Lowden said, “My vote was against unfunded mandates and budget-busting levels of spending that ultimately drives up the costs of health insurance to the point Nevadans can no longer afford it.” [Inside Nevada Politics, 8/17/09]

LOWDEN: ... weaken Medicare

FACT: THE AARP ENDORSED THE SENATE HEALTH CARE BILL BECAUSE IT STRENGHTENS MEDICARE AND IMPROVES SERVICES FOR SENIORS

AARP Praised The Senate Health Care Bill For Strengthening And Improving Medicare For Seniors, Moving Toward Closing The Donut Hole. In a December 2009 statement, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand said, “This morning the Senate brought us closer to meaningful health care reform than we have ever been before. Passage of the Senate health care reform bill clears the way for Congress to enact legislation in the coming weeks that will protect and strengthen Medicare, ensure millions more Americans can get affordable health coverage and sharply curtail discriminatory insurance company practices that keep those most in need out of the system. The bill passed by the Senate makes needed progress to prevent coverage denials due to health status and limit insurance companies from charging older Americans much more for coverage because of their age. It also begins to close the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, and Senate leaders have committed that a final bill will close the gap entirely by 2019, in keeping with the President’s pledge. In addition, the Senate bill adds important new Medicare benefits, like free preventive care, and encourages states to provide more home and community-based long-term care services and supports instead of costlier institutional care.” [AARP Press Release, 12/24/09]

AARP Executive Vice President: “The New Senate Bill Makes Improvements To The Medicare.” In a November 2008 statement after Reid introduced the Senate’s version of the Patient , AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said, “The new Senate bill makes improvements to the Medicare program by creating a new annual wellness benefit, providing free preventive benefits, and—most notably for AARP members—reducing drug costs for seniors who fall into the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole, a costly gap in prescription drug coverage. Too often, those who fall into this coverage gap stop taking their prescription drugs because they simply can’t afford to. The new bill adds a new $500 down payment for prescription drug costs in the doughnut hole in 2010.” [AARP Release, 11/18/09]

LOWDEN: ... kill jobs

FACT: THE HIGH COST OF HEALTH CARE IS ALREADY HURTING OUR ECONOMY, AND LOWERING HEALTH CARE COSTS WILL HELP EMPLOYERS AND PROTECT JOBS

Business Roundtable: The US Economy Suffers Because Health Care Costs Under The Existing System Put Us At A Competitive Disadvantage. According to a March 2009 press release, “Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers whose companies provide health care for more than 35 million Americans, today released the first annual Business Roundtable Health Care Value Comparability Study, which shows that the costs and performance of the U.S. health care system have put America‟s companies and workers at a significant competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. ‘Health care costs are one of the top cost pressures facing American businesses today, inhibiting job creation and hurting America‟s ability to compete in global markets,; said Harold McGraw III, Chairman of Business Roundtable and Chairman, President and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies … The report combines internationally reported measures covering both spending on, and the performance of, national health care systems to assign a value to the U.S. health care system compared with important global competitors. On a weighted scale, the results show that U.S. workers and employers receive 23 percent less value from our health care system than the average of five leading economic competitors – Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France … and 46 percent less value than the average of emerging competitors Brazil, India and China.” [Business Roundtable, Press Release, 3/12/09]

MIT Economist: Health Insurance Reform Could Save As Many As 80,000 Small Business Jobs Over Ten Years. In November 2009, MIT Health Economist Jonathan Gruber said that reforming the health insurance industry and lowering costs for small businesses could save as many as 80,000 jobs by 2019. According to Gruber, “Lower spending has real consequences for small businesses and their workers. I estimate that under reform workers in small businesses will see an increase in their take-home pay of almost $30 billion/year, and that reform would save about 80,000 jobs in the small business sector by 2019.” [Senate HELP Committee, Jonathan Gruber Testimony, 11/2/09]

President’s Council Of Economic Advisors: Reforming The Health Insurance Industry Is Good For The Economy. In a June 2009 report, the President’s Council of Economic Advisors wrote, “Increased insurance coverage and, hence, improved health care, is likely to increase labor supply by reducing disability and absenteeism in the work place. This increase in labor supply would tend to increase GDP and reduce the budget deficit.” [Council of Economic Advisors, 6/2/09]

CEA Study Estimates Immediate Gains Of 500,000 Jobs Per Year Under Health Care Reform. The President’s Council of Economic Advisers released a report which found that by slowing the growth of health care costs, health care reform could reduce the unemployment rate. “The beneficial impact on employment in the short and medium run (relative to the no-reform baseline) is estimated to be approximately 500,000 each year that the effect is felt.” [Council of Economic Advisors, 6/2/09]

LOWDEN: ... push us further into debt. I'm Sue Lowden. I approve this message because government-run health care is wrong.

FACT: HEALTH REFORM WILL REDUCE THE DEFICIT

The Hill: “CBO: Health Bill Spends $871B, Reduces Deficit By $132B.” In December 2009, The Hill reported, “Congress’s budgetary scorekeeper affirms that the Senate’s healthcare reform legislation adheres to President Barack Obama’s pledge to spend less than $900 billion and reduce the federal budget deficit through the bill, which would extend health insurance coverage to 31 million people. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the latest version of the legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would require $871 billion over 10 years in new federal spending, most of which would take the form of health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income people and expansions of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.” [The Hill, 12/19/09]

LOWDEN: As a mom I know one-size-fits-all clothes don't fit, aren't comfortable and are seldom a bargain. So why does Harry Reid want to force one-size fits-all government health care on us? Harry Reid thinks Washington knows best. But I think we the people know best.

FACT: THE SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL PRESERVES THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, QUALITY COVERAGE FOR 518,000 NEVADANS AND ENACTING BADLY-NEEDED INSURANCE INDUSTRY REFORMS

PolitiFact: “By Any Reasonable Definition, There’s No Way That The Democratic Plan Could Be Considered A Government Takeover.” In February 2010, PolitiFact wrote, “Many Republicans have said the Democratic health care plan is a ‘government takeover’ of the nation's health system. The phrase has appeared in at least 700 newspaper articles in the past six months, according to a Nexis search. It's been a powerful weapon for the GOP opposition because it conjures images of a sluggish, state-run bureaucracy … By any reasonable definition, there's no way that the Democratic plan could be considered a government takeover. Indeed, its primary approach is to set up new systems to encourage private health insurance companies to provide more coverage and better services. The cornerstone of the Democratic program is actually the status quo. The majority of Americans would continue to get health coverage the way they do now -- from private insurance companies. That coverage would be paid for the same way it is now -- by private employers and individual premiums. That's not a government takeover.” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

PolitiFact: “Once again, we are faced with over-the-top rhetoric about the health care plan. It's perfectly legitimate to raise questions about the plan and the government's role, but it's wildly incorrect to label it a government takeover. Yes, the plan would expand the government's role, but it primarily would continue to rely on private insurers for the vast majority of Americans. And, for people who have trouble getting coverage, it would create a marketplace so people could shop for coverage from private insurers. It's ridiculously false to call that a government takeover. For this one, we need to strike a match and set the meter ablaze. Pants on Fire!” [PolitiFact, 2/24/10 (emphasis in original)]

Las Vegas Sun: Senate Health Care Bill Is “An Important Step Toward Providing Health Coverage For Every American.” In a December 2009 editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “Just after 1 a.m. Monday, the Senate turned back a Republican filibuster attempt on health care reform legislation, opening the way for its expected passage this week. Although not perfect, the bill is a tremendous achievement and an important step toward providing health coverage for every American … More than 30 million Americans, including 518,000 Nevadans, who don’t have insurance will become eligible for affordable health care under the plan. The legislation would provide tax credits for individuals and small businesses to help them pay for insurance coverage. The bill lays out a deficit-reduction plan, and it should ease the burden taxpayers and people with insurance carry because of the uninsured, the costs of whose use of public medical services and hospital emergency rooms currently are passed on to taxpayers and people with insurance. The legislation also would prohibit providers from denying people insurance because of pre-existing conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, ailments that afflict millions.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 12/22/09]

LOWDEN: Harry Reid's big government health care plan will raise taxes...

FACT: NEVADANS PAY A HIDDEN TAX TO COVER THOSE WHO LACK HEALTH INSURANCE, NEED CARE AND CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY IT

The Average American Families Pay More Than $1,000 Each Year In Order To Cover Health Care For The Uninsured. In May 2009, USA Today reported, “The average U.S. family and their employers paid an extra $1,017 in health care premiums last year to compensate for the uninsured, according to a study to be released Thursday by an advocacy group for health care consumers. Families USA, which supports expanded health care coverage, found that about 37% of health care costs for people without insurance — or a total of $42.7 billion — went unpaid last year. That cost eventually was shifted to the insured through higher premiums, according to the group. ‘I don't think anybody has any idea about how much they are paying because of the need to cover the health care costs of the uninsured,’ said Ron Pollack, the group's executive director. ‘This is a hidden tax on all insurance premiums, whether it is paid by business for their work or by families when they purchase their own coverage.’” [USA Today, 5/28/09]

LOWDEN: ... put a bureaucrat between you and your doctor

FACT: HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE RATIONING CARE. REFORMING THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE DECISION-MAKING POWER AWAY FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND GIVE IT BACK TO PATIENTS AND DOCTORS

Senate Health Reform Bill Will Protect Consumers From Insurance Industry Practices That Deny Them The Care They Need. In December 2009, the Washington Post reported that under the Senate’s health reform bill, “Starting immediately, insurers would be barred from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions. A total ban on the practice would take effect in 2014. Lifetime limits on coverage would be banned, and annual limits would be restricted until 2014, when they, too, would be banned entirely. Insurers would be required to justify rate increases, and patients would have the right to appeal denials of claims to an independent state board. All insurance companies would be required to spend at least 80 cents of every dollar they collect in premiums on delivering care to customers.” [Washington Post, 12/20/09]

Las Vegas Sun Criticized Republican “Scare Tactics” During The Health Care Debate – Including Bogus Claims Of “Rationing.” In a December 2009 editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “Republicans have made this a fiercely partisan issue and tried to kill the legislation, along with the hope of health care for millions of Americans. Using fire-and-brimstone rhetoric, Republicans have tried to frighten people and have been able to scare up some opposition to the bill. Unfortunately, scare tactics have made it more difficult to pass the bill, particularly since Republicans and their supporters on the far right have been unwilling to even talk about any meaningful legislation. They have particularly whipped people up into a frenzy with disingenuous arguments, including those about ‘rationed’ health care. Never mind that health care is already rationed through private insurance companies.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 12/22/09 (emphasis added)]

FACT: SUE LOWDEN VOTED TO PUT INSURANCE COMPANIES BETWEEN PATIENTS AND DOCTORS AND TO ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO REFUSE TO COVER LIFESAVING PREVENTIVE CARE UNLESS THEY PAID HIGHER PREMIUMS

Sue Lowden Voted To Allow Insurance Companies To Deny Payment For Covered Services. In 1995, Sue Lowden opposed Senate Bill 196, which would have prohibited insurance companies from refusing to pay for medical services that are covered by a plan and provided by a licensed medical provider. The legislation also would have prohibited insurance companies from automatically denying payment for services they considered medically unnecessary. [Senate Bill 196 floor vote, 6/24/95]

Lowden Voted Against Requiring Insurance Companies To Cover Preventative Care. During committee debate over a health-care bill, Sue Lowden moved to remove a section of the bill that would require insurance companies to include coverage for pap smears, mammograms, prenatal care, and prostate cancer screening. According to the committee minutes, “Senator Regan pointed out section 11.5, subsection 1, paragraphs (a) – (d) are preventative care. Senator Lowden agrees, but she stipulated those should be options, not mandates.” [NV Senate Commerce and Labor Committee minutes, 6/15/95]

Lowden Stands By Her Vote Against Preventative Care. In 2009, Sue Lowden stood by her vote to remove rules that require insurance companies to cover preventative care. Lowden said, “My vote was against unfunded mandates and budget-busting levels of spending that ultimately drives up the costs of health insurance to the point Nevadans can no longer afford it.” [Inside Nevada Politics, 8/17/09]

LOWDEN: ... weaken Medicare

FACT: THE AARP ENDORSED THE SENATE HEALTH CARE BILL BECAUSE IT STRENGHTENS MEDICARE AND IMPROVES SERVICES FOR SENIORS

AARP Praised The Senate Health Care Bill For Strengthening And Improving Medicare For Seniors, Moving Toward Closing The Donut Hole. In a December 2009 statement, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand said, “This morning the Senate brought us closer to meaningful health care reform than we have ever been before. Passage of the Senate health care reform bill clears the way for Congress to enact legislation in the coming weeks that will protect and strengthen Medicare, ensure millions more Americans can get affordable health coverage and sharply curtail discriminatory insurance company practices that keep those most in need out of the system. The bill passed by the Senate makes needed progress to prevent coverage denials due to health status and limit insurance companies from charging older Americans much more for coverage because of their age. It also begins to close the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, and Senate leaders have committed that a final bill will close the gap entirely by 2019, in keeping with the President’s pledge. In addition, the Senate bill adds important new Medicare benefits, like free preventive care, and encourages states to provide more home and community-based long-term care services and supports instead of costlier institutional care.” [AARP Press Release, 12/24/09]

AARP Executive Vice President: “The New Senate Bill Makes Improvements To The Medicare.” In a November 2008 statement after Reid introduced the Senate’s version of the Patient , AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said, “The new Senate bill makes improvements to the Medicare program by creating a new annual wellness benefit, providing free preventive benefits, and—most notably for AARP members—reducing drug costs for seniors who fall into the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole, a costly gap in prescription drug coverage. Too often, those who fall into this coverage gap stop taking their prescription drugs because they simply can’t afford to. The new bill adds a new $500 down payment for prescription drug costs in the doughnut hole in 2010.” [AARP Release, 11/18/09]

LOWDEN: ... kill jobs

FACT: THE HIGH COST OF HEALTH CARE IS ALREADY HURTING OUR ECONOMY, AND LOWERING HEALTH CARE COSTS WILL HELP EMPLOYERS AND PROTECT JOBS

Business Roundtable: The US Economy Suffers Because Health Care Costs Under The Existing System Put Us At A Competitive Disadvantage. According to a March 2009 press release, “Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers whose companies provide health care for more than 35 million Americans, today released the first annual Business Roundtable Health Care Value Comparability Study, which shows that the costs and performance of the U.S. health care system have put America‟s companies and workers at a significant competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. ‘Health care costs are one of the top cost pressures facing American businesses today, inhibiting job creation and hurting America‟s ability to compete in global markets,; said Harold McGraw III, Chairman of Business Roundtable and Chairman, President and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies … The report combines internationally reported measures covering both spending on, and the performance of, national health care systems to assign a value to the U.S. health care system compared with important global competitors. On a weighted scale, the results show that U.S. workers and employers receive 23 percent less value from our health care system than the average of five leading economic competitors – Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France … and 46 percent less value than the average of emerging competitors Brazil, India and China.” [Business Roundtable, Press Release, 3/12/09]

MIT Economist: Health Insurance Reform Could Save As Many As 80,000 Small Business Jobs Over Ten Years. In November 2009, MIT Health Economist Jonathan Gruber said that reforming the health insurance industry and lowering costs for small businesses could save as many as 80,000 jobs by 2019. According to Gruber, “Lower spending has real consequences for small businesses and their workers. I estimate that under reform workers in small businesses will see an increase in their take-home pay of almost $30 billion/year, and that reform would save about 80,000 jobs in the small business sector by 2019.” [Senate HELP Committee, Jonathan Gruber Testimony, 11/2/09]

President’s Council Of Economic Advisors: Reforming The Health Insurance Industry Is Good For The Economy. In a June 2009 report, the President’s Council of Economic Advisors wrote, “Increased insurance coverage and, hence, improved health care, is likely to increase labor supply by reducing disability and absenteeism in the work place. This increase in labor supply would tend to increase GDP and reduce the budget deficit.” [Council of Economic Advisors, 6/2/09]

CEA Study Estimates Immediate Gains Of 500,000 Jobs Per Year Under Health Care Reform. The President’s Council of Economic Advisers released a report which found that by slowing the growth of health care costs, health care reform could reduce the unemployment rate. “The beneficial impact on employment in the short and medium run (relative to the no-reform baseline) is estimated to be approximately 500,000 each year that the effect is felt.” [Council of Economic Advisors, 6/2/09]

LOWDEN: ... push us further into debt. I'm Sue Lowden. I approve this message because government-run health care is wrong.

FACT: HEALTH REFORM WILL REDUCE THE DEFICIT

The Hill: “CBO: Health Bill Spends $871B, Reduces Deficit By $132B.” In December 2009, The Hill reported, “Congress’s budgetary scorekeeper affirms that the Senate’s healthcare reform legislation adheres to President Barack Obama’s pledge to spend less than $900 billion and reduce the federal budget deficit through the bill, which would extend health insurance coverage to 31 million people. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the latest version of the legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would require $871 billion over 10 years in new federal spending, most of which would take the form of health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income people and expansions of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.” [The Hill, 12/19/09]