Cornyn Lies About Medicare in Senate Health Debate

by: Katherine Haenschen

Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 02:30 PM CST

CORNYN SAYS:
"The question that I have and I--why in the world would you take money out of the Medicare program that is scheduled to go insolvent in 2017 that has tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities, why would you take almost half a trillion dollars out of Medicare to create yet another entitlement program that no doubt will be -- will have many of the problems that we see now under our current entitlement programs? It just does not make sense if you are guided by the facts. ... Now, some of my colleagues have claimed that these cuts won't hurt patients, but many people, including me, disagree." -- Senate Floor, 12/2/09

But wait! John Cornyn is wrong:

• FACT: The Health Reform Bill will extend Medicare solvency by five years. From the AARP, experts on policies impacting folks over 50: "In fact, budget experts say, without cutting guaranteed benefits, both bills shore up the solvency of the Medicare trust fund for five additional years."


• FACT: Health Reform Will Enhance Drug Coverage. From the New York Times: "the various reform bills now pending should actually make Medicare better for most beneficiaries - by enhancing their drug coverage, [and] reducing the premiums they pay for drugs and medical care."


• FACT: Health Reform will not hurt patients. Again, the AARP is on it: "This bill includes critical priorities for seniors - critical - ensures quality, affordable health coverage options for all Americans, provides and strengthens Medicare for today's seniors and future generations and puts us on a path to improving our long-term health system."

Let's all savor the irony of John Cornyn telling folks to be "guided by the facts" as he stands on the Senate floor and deliberately distorts them. All in a day's work for our junior Senator, I suppose. That leaves us with just one more bullet point:

• FACT: John Cornyn would rather see the people of Texas retain our 24% uninsured rate than let a Democratic President pass a successful health reform bill.