Pelosi Lies About Health Care

USA Today published an article by Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer this month entitled "Un-American Attacks Can't Derail Health Care Debate."

While the left had real problems when George W. Bush painted as unpatriotic those who did not support his vision of the war on terror, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Harry Reid are painting as unpatriotic and unAmerican those who do not share their views on health care reform. Pelosi wants a "debate" in which only one side is heard.

That, aside, she brought out many "facts" regarding health care (both the current version and the leftist vision) that are simply not facts at all, but distortions and lies.

Pelosi says "health care reform will mean more patient choice. it will allow every American who likes his or her current plan to keep it. And it will free doctors and patients to make the health care decisions that make the most sense, not the most profits of insurance companies."

Can someone explain the idiocy that keeping what you currently have (or choosing from other options available in a free market system) is more choice that the current system of keeping what you currently have or choosing from other options available in a free market system?

Second, I don't know of any doctor who is making health care decisions based on the profits of insurance companies. (Aside from those fictitious doctors in Obama's Infomercial a few weeks ago that are ripping tonsils out of children left and right in order to buy a new Mercedes.) My mother is struggling with cancer. My father is diabetic. My grandmother has Alzheimer's. None of them are being treated by a doctor who is forced to chose a "more profitable" course of treatment. They are all getting the best in medical care.

Under the Pelosi/Reid/Obama system, however, targets for tests and treatments will be established. Care will be rationed. Treatment and tests will be performed based on targets and funds available, now on what patients actually need.

The bottom line is, Pelosi not only lied, but made a statement that is 180 degrees from actuality.

Here is something else Pelosi said: "Reform will mean affordable coverage for all Americans. Our plan's cost-lowering measures include a public health insurance option .... Reform will mean higher quality care by promoting preventive care so health problems can be addressed before they become crises."

This is complete hogwash. As the old saying goes, "If you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it's free."

The idea that you will increase health care coverage to cover millions of Americans not currently covered, and inundate the system with preventive care measures increasing utilization significantly, AND save money in the system is assinine. This will not happen, and the Congressional Budget Offices says so. The CBO has money being spent on health care going through the roof just a few years after this bill is enacted, if it is.

Who do you believe? Pelosi, or the CBO?

Finally, Pelosi made the argument that "Americans strongly support health insurance reform." Whether or not this is a lie depends on how you interpret the statement. Yes, Americans want health insurance reform. However, by a significant majority, Americans don't want THIS health insurance reform bill. If Pelosi is concerned about what Americans want, she and Reid and Steny and Obama all need to go back to the drawing board.