On MSNBC’s MTP Daily host Chuck Todd caught Speaker of the House Paul Ryan misleading about the CBO’s Obamacare numbers and the ACA being in a death spiral which are two of the reasons why Republicans claim that the Affordable Care Act must be replaced.
Video:
Speaker Ryan tried to claim that the CBO projected that 26 million people would be on Obamacare, but only 11 million people are buying from the exchanges.
Todd was prepared and said, “Wait a minute. The CBO’s 26 million included Medicaid expansion. You’re not including Medicaid expansion in your 11 million.”
Rep. Ryan tried to claim that Obamacare is in a death spiral.
Todd responded, “How do you say this is a death spiral if more people are signing up. Yes, premiums went up, but you still have Obamacare subsidies in there that has shielded many of these people from these premium hikes. It’s not the definition of a death spiral where suddenly you’re having premiums go up and no one’s buying it.”
Ryan answered that insurance company executives told him that not enough young people are buying it, and that there aren’t enough healthy people in the pool to subsidize the sick individuals.
Speaker Ryan’s answer wasn’t based on data or studies but what insurance company executives told him, because obviously insurance companies would have no motive to get rid of Affordable Care Act regulations that don’t allow them to discriminate against more expensive customers and mandate how much money they have to spend providing care to their enrollees.
Chuck Todd was correct on both counts. The CBO’s numbers were fairly accurate, and Obamacare isn’t in a death spiral.
If the CBO is right, and Trumpcare is going to cause 24 million people to lose their health care, and Obamacare isn’t collapsing, the entire rationale for the Republicans health care bill is blown to bits.
Chuck Todd demonstrated what a good journalist could do when they come to an interview prepared with facts instead of sitting by and listening to talking points.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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