RNC Repeats Distortions In New Health Care Ad
Today, the Republican National Committee released a new ad in support of its so-called "Seniors' Bill of Right." The ad features RNC Chairman Michael Steele repeating many of the same falsehoods he propagated in his Washington Post column last week, when the RNC first rolled out the "Seniors' Bill of Rights." As one might expect, Steele's claims are equally disingenuous one week later.
The RNC's Misleading Ad
RNC Chairman Steele:
When you disagree with Washington, how come they act like it's your problem?
That's what the Democrats have done with health care. They say you're the problem.
How about a different way? A focus on things we can all agree on.
I'm Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican Party. Join us in supporting a new Seniors' Bill of Rights.
Let's agree in both parties that Congress should only consider health reform proposals that protect senior citizens.
For starters, no cuts to Medicare to pay for another program. Zero.
Make it illegal to ration health care based on age.
Prevent any government role in end-of-life care.
And stop bureaucrats from getting in between seniors and their doctors.
A few things we should all agree on. The Seniors' Bill of Rights.
Oh, and President Obama, it's not too late to change your mind.
Stand with us and stand with senior citizens. After all, they've earned it.
[RNC Ad via YouTube, accessed 9/1/09]
RNC Falsely Suggests Government Will Cut Medicare Benefits For Seniors
Steele: For starters, no cuts to Medicare to pay for another program. [RNC Ad via YouTube, accessed 9/1/09]
Medicare benefits will not be cut
President Obama: "Nobody Is Talking About Cutting Medicare Benefits." During a health care tele-town hall with AARP members, President Obama said: "'Nobody's trying to change what does work in the system...We are trying to change what doesn't work in the system...Nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits. I just want to make that absolutely clear,' he said emphatically." [AARP.org, 7/29/09]
Reform Legislation Will Allow A 5% Medicare Payment Increase For Primary Care Services To Some Physicians. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of HR 3200, among other changes to the Medicare payment structure, the legislation "provides for a 5% payment bonus, effective January 1, 2011, for evaluation and management services and other services associated with ensuring accessible, continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care when provided by a physician or other practitioner who specializes in family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics or geriatrics." [KFF.org, 8/6/09]
RNC Falsely Suggests Government Will "Ration Health Care Based On Age"
Steele: Make it illegal to ration health care based on age. [RNC Ad via YouTube, accessed 9/1/09]
In his Washington Post column last week, Steele claimed that comparative effectiveness research would lead to rationing based on age. However, CER simply allows doctors and patients to make informed choices about treatment.
CER Supplements Physicians' Knowledge To Ensure The Best Treatment Is Provided To The Patient. David Dale, MD of the American College of Physicians, testified in a House Ways and Means Committee hearing: "The availability of valid, comparative effectiveness data supplemented by the physician's clinical experience and professional knowledge, helps ensure that an effective treatment choice is made-one that meets the unique needs and preferences of the patient." [American College Of Physicians' Statement for the Record, 6/12/07]
When Patients Have Access To CER Data, "They Make Better Decisions, They're More Satisfied, And In General Their Cost Is Less." Michelle Andrews, "On Health & Money" writer for US News & World Report, posted the following on her blog: "'We have found that if people have information about the comparative effectiveness of testing for prostate cancer, for example, or a back operation, they make better decisions, they're more satisfied, and in general their cost is less,' says Eric Larson, executive director of the Group Health Center for Health Studies." [USNews.com, 3/23/09]
"The Goal Is To Figure Out Under What Circumstances Is A Given Therapy Best For Certain Patients." The Washington Post reported: "At Kaiser, a team of pharmacists, doctors and other researchers takes a similar approach, 'scouring the globe' for data on how well medications, devices and procedures work. 'The goal is to figure out under what circumstances is a given therapy best for certain patients,' said Sharon Levine, Kaiser's associate executive medical director. The assessments are refined as data evolve and as researchers learn more about the effects of a given medication on subgroups such as women or minorities." [Washington Post, 3/17/09]
RNC Falsely Suggests Government Will Make End-Of-Life Decisions
Steele: Prevent any government role in end-of-life care. [RNC Ad via YouTube, accessed 9/1/09]
Patients Suffer When Their Doctors Are Not Aware Of Their Wishes. According to CNN: "Discussing end-of-life care is difficult for everyone involved, but it should be done early on, doctors say. Many aging parents and grandparents resist talking about it because of the emotional pain the issue will cause their younger relatives; and the children who will become responsible don't want to appear ungrateful or self-serving by mentioning it, [Dr. Arthur Kellerman, Emory University] said. Many doctors don't want to talk about it either, he said. 'There are a lot of my colleagues who don't bother having that conversation. They just intubate them, and ship them up to an ICU, and say 'next,'' Kellerman said." [CNN.com, 7/23/09]
Patients Are Unable To Convey Their Wishes Because Of A Lack Of Doctor Availability. CNN reported: "Some people have signed advance directives to their children -- legal documents stating what they want to happen in terms of end-of-life decisions -- but don't talk to their children about them, Kellerman said...Beyond the advance directive, doctors need a plan for care with the patient to make sure that the person's goals are honored, Teno said. A problem behind a general lack of communication between doctors and patients is the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States, Rich said." [CNN.com, 7/23/09]
Bill Provides Funding For Seniors To Have Access To Serious Medical Information. As reported by PolitiFact.com, "Jon Keyserling, general counsel and vice president of public policy for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, which supports the provision, said the bill doesn't encourage seniors to end their lives, it just allows some important counseling for decisions that take time and consideration. 'These are very serious conversations,' he said. 'It needs to be an informative conversation from the medical side and it needs to be thought about carefully by the patient and their families.' In no way would these sessions be designed to encourage patients to end their lives, said Jim Dau, national spokeman [sic] for AARP." [PolitiFact.com, 7/16/09]
