Much of the talk surrounding the health care reform debate has been misunderstandings, misinformation, exaggerations and occasionally out right lies. Despite what many want to say, both sides have engaged in all of these and most continue to do so. It is not too difficult to find an example, but one which has been repeated often and is blatantly false is the contention that the Republicans are merely saying "No" and have no proposals of their own.
Despite President Obama's repetative claim that "the other side has no ideas," Republicans have given several health care alternatives to the President and Congressional Democrats proposals.
Obama didn't directly accuse Republicans of not having a plan. But
he did say he would welcome "serious" health care proposals. "My door
is always open," Obama said.That's when Price held up the sheaf of papers he was carrying — a
copy of H.R. 3400, the Empowering Patients First Act, which Price and
the Republican Study Committee proposed in July. Other GOP lawmakers
held up their own bills. Some raised a list of all the health care
bills — there are more than 30 — proposed by members of the Study
Committee.
Those are just health care bills that have been proposed, that does not include the health care reform suggestions by conservative and libertarian think tanks like the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation.
I would hope everyone involved in the health care discussion would seek to debate the issues as truthfully as possible. If one seeks that end, I would hope this talking point would no longer be used.
