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[partner-box]Priorities USA Action, a Democratic tremendous PAC, announced a brand new digital and TV advert sequence criticizing President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the adverts is a 15-second spot, titled “Pause,” that alleges Trump is attempting to chop Medicare through the world well being emergency.
“Our lives are on pause. We’re worried about our health. So why is Trump still trying to cut our Medicare? $451 billion in cuts in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Trump is putting us at risk,” the industrial’s narrator says.
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The PAC, which was fashioned in 2011 to assist President Barack Obama’s reelection marketing campaign, has been tapped by Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, as his preferred choice amongst Democratic tremendous PACS for big-donor giving.
This advert caught our consideration for 2 causes. First, the time period “Medicare cuts” has lengthy been volleyed between each Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the White House — and sometimes has confirmed to be a strong political device.
Second, the connection between “cuts” to Medicare and the coronavirus pandemic was a brand new idea we wished to discover.
We reached out to Priorities USA Action to ask for the idea of those statements.
Josh Schwerin, a PAC spokesperson, despatched us hyperlinks to information articles and confirmed that the “$451 billion in cuts” referred to Trump’s 2021 proposed funds for Medicare.
Asked to pinpoint the place the $451 billion got here from, Schwerin pointed us to a February ABC News article that mentioned the president’s funds plan would “whack away at federal spending on health care over the next 10 years … including $451 billion less spent on Medicare.” He additionally despatched us hyperlinks to a February Washington Blade article and February press release from Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) — each of which additionally cited that determine.
Cuts Or A Reduction In Spending? An Argument That’s Been Around
In fall 2010, a number of months after the Affordable Care Act was enacted, Republicans aired midterm campaign ads attacking Democrats for “cutting” or “gutting” Medicare. The purpose was the regulation included a $500 billion discount in projected spending for Medicare over 10 years, which might be used to assist fund the ACA.
The Obama administration said the reductions in spending would come from reducing funds to Medicare Advantage plans and suppliers and wouldn’t have an effect on the extent of care that Medicare beneficiaries acquired. They additionally mentioned it might assist make the Medicare system extra financially steady.
Now, nearly 10 years later, Democrats are using the same language to criticize the White House’s long-term plan for Medicare spending.
“‘Cuts’ is a term that has been thrown around for many years,” mentioned Tricia Neuman, govt director of the Program on Medicare Policy on the Kaiser Family Foundation. “This is a semantic issue that often gets politicized, often in an election year.” (Kaiser Health News is an editorially impartial program of the inspiration.)
Neuman defined that what’s being thought of here’s a discount within the projected improve in spending over a sure interval. This discount relies on estimates of how a lot the federal government is projected to spend on applications — factoring in proposed coverage adjustments — for the next 10 years, taking into consideration present ranges of spending, assumptions about financial development and developments in the usage of Medicare protection, mentioned Neuman.
Trump’s 2021 funds blueprint for Medicare estimated that spending would improve every of the 10 years. But the estimate additionally steered that the administration’s proposed coverage adjustments would scale back the spending improve in contrast with estimates of what can be spent if the adjustments weren’t carried out.
“Let’s say Medicare spends $100 in 2020 and is projected to spend $200 in 2021,” Neuman mentioned. “If the budget said we’re going to reduce the growth in spending by $25, that’s a reduction in an increase. But other people might call that a cut.”
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The Number Itself And What It Means
We reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicare, for its tackle that $451 billion determine however haven’t heard again.
Marc Goldwein, senior coverage director for the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, mentioned the precise determine might be wherever from $400 billion to $600 billion, relying on how calculations are finished. His evaluation relied on the manager department’s Office of Management and Budget calculations and landed on a determine near $505 billion. Other variables, similar to “likely savings from drug price reform” — but to be enacted — transfer it nearer to $600 billion.
The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities got here up with an identical estimate: $501 billion. The Congressional Budget Office’s estimate, not together with financial savings generated from proposed drug pricing reforms, was nearer to $400 billion.
In all circumstances, although, the reductions in Medicare spending can be achieved by way of proposals similar to reducing funds to suppliers and paying the identical quantity for a similar well being service supplied in several settings.
Goldwein mentioned these proposals for Medicare reform are largely bipartisan and “either mimic or build upon” these superior through the Obama period. He additionally mentioned that, in his group’s view, the “cuts” are financial savings to the Medicare program and beneficiaries, who would see decrease premiums and out-of-pocket medical prices.
The coverage specialists mentioned it’s probably the reductions in spending wouldn’t straight have an effect on the care that Medicare beneficiaries obtain. But supplier teams have complained that decrease reimbursements may drive some medical doctors to depart Medicare. Hospitals have argued towards the proposal for equalizing funds for related companies as a result of they are saying their overhead bills are greater than these of a health care provider’s workplace or off-site clinic and their greater charges assist finance different needed companies.
Timing Matters
The Priorities USA Action advert additionally alleges that Trump is attempting to chop Medicare “in the middle of a deadly pandemic.” But the timeline of occasions doesn’t assist this assertion.
The White House launched the 2021 funds proposal on Feb. 10 — nicely earlier than the COVID-19 outbreak had grow to be part of our nationwide consciousness.
The first home case of COVID-19 was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 21. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a “public health emergency of international concern” on Jan. 30.
On Feb. 10, the day the funds was launched, the CDC put out a press release stating there have been 13 circumstances of the illness within the U.S. CNN additionally printed an article that day stating the vast majority of COVID-19 circumstances and deaths had occurred in China. Authorities didn’t announce the first U.S. death from COVID-19 till Feb. 29. The WHO declared a pandemic on March 11.
“These budget proposals were probably developed well before the pandemic hit the U.S. and hit it hard,” mentioned Neuman. However, she added, “the administration hasn’t disavowed these proposals, but they also haven’t pushed them forward.”
Joseph Antos, a scholar in well being care and retirement coverage on the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, mentioned it was a “ridiculous statement to connect cutting Medicare spending to the COVID crisis.”
“The implication of the video that this is going on actively while we’re in the middle of this crisis, that’s dead wrong,” mentioned Antos.
Our Ruling
The Priorities advert mentioned Trump is attempting to make $451 billion in Medicare cuts “in the middle of a deadly pandemic.”
This is an exaggerated assault, even earlier than the pandemic is layered on high of it. The greenback determine itself is “in the ballpark” of what the coverage proposals would generate in spending reductions, giving this advert a sliver of reality. However, within the Trump funds, the quantity is unfold over 10 years — necessary context that was omitted.
What’s in Trump’s funds proposal isn’t a direct lower to Medicare. Instead, Priorities makes use of the age-old political tactic — employed on each side of the aisle — of holding up a discount in projected spending development as a “cut.”
Moreover, the advert leaves the impression that Trump is attempting to whack Medicare for seniors at a time when panic is especially excessive due to the coronavirus. But that connection to the pandemic can be deceptive. The presidential funds was launched weeks earlier than a lot of the nation started to understand the specter of COVID-19.
The declare incorporates a component of reality however ignores vital details and context that will give a special impression. We fee it Mostly False.
This story could be republished free of charge (details). Priorities USA Action, a Democratic tremendous PAC, announced a brand new digital and TV advert sequence criticizing President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the adverts is a 15-second spot, titled “Pause,” that alleges Trump is attempting to chop Medicare through the world well being emergency.
“Our lives are on pause. We’re worried about our health. So why is Trump still trying to cut our Medicare? $451 billion in cuts in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Trump is putting us at risk,” the industrial’s narrator says.
The PAC, which was fashioned in 2011 to assist President Barack Obama’s reelection marketing campaign, has been tapped by Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, as his preferred choice amongst Democratic tremendous PACS for big-donor giving.
This advert caught our consideration for 2 causes. First, the time period “Medicare cuts” has lengthy been volleyed between each Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the White House — and sometimes has confirmed to be a strong political device.
Second, the connection between “cuts” to Medicare and the coronavirus pandemic was a brand new idea we wished to discover.
We reached out to Priorities USA Action to ask for the idea of those statements.
Josh Schwerin, a PAC spokesperson, despatched us hyperlinks to information articles and confirmed that the “$451 billion in cuts” referred to Trump’s 2021 proposed funds for Medicare.
Asked to pinpoint the place the $451 billion got here from, Schwerin pointed us to a February ABC News article that mentioned the president’s funds plan would “whack away at federal spending on health care over the next 10 years … including $451 billion less spent on Medicare.” He additionally despatched us hyperlinks to a February Washington Blade article and February press release from Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) — each of which additionally cited that determine.
Cuts Or A Reduction In Spending? An Argument That’s Been Around
In fall 2010, a number of months after the Affordable Care Act was enacted, Republicans aired midterm campaign ads attacking Democrats for “cutting” or “gutting” Medicare. The purpose was the regulation included a $500 billion discount in projected spending for Medicare over 10 years, which might be used to assist fund the ACA.
The Obama administration said the reductions in spending would come from reducing funds to Medicare Advantage plans and suppliers and wouldn’t have an effect on the extent of care that Medicare beneficiaries acquired. They additionally mentioned it might assist make the Medicare system extra financially steady.
Now, nearly 10 years later, Democrats are using the same language to criticize the White House’s long-term plan for Medicare spending.
“‘Cuts’ is a term that has been thrown around for many years,” mentioned Tricia Neuman, govt director of the Program on Medicare Policy on the Kaiser Family Foundation. “This is a semantic issue that often gets politicized, often in an election year.” (Kaiser Health News is an editorially impartial program of the inspiration.)
Neuman defined that what’s being thought of here’s a discount within the projected improve in spending over a sure interval. This discount relies on estimates of how a lot the federal government is projected to spend on applications — factoring in proposed coverage adjustments — for the next 10 years, taking into consideration present ranges of spending, assumptions about financial development and developments in the usage of Medicare protection, mentioned Neuman.
Trump’s 2021 funds blueprint for Medicare estimated that spending would improve every of the 10 years. But the estimate additionally steered that the administration’s proposed coverage adjustments would scale back the spending improve in contrast with estimates of what can be spent if the adjustments weren’t carried out.
“Let’s say Medicare spends $100 in 2020 and is projected to spend $200 in 2021,” Neuman mentioned. “If the budget said we’re going to reduce the growth in spending by $25, that’s a reduction in an increase. But other people might call that a cut.”
The Number Itself And What It Means
We reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicare, for its tackle that $451 billion determine however haven’t heard again.
Marc Goldwein, senior coverage director for the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, mentioned the precise determine might be wherever from $400 billion to $600 billion, relying on how calculations are finished. His evaluation relied on the manager department’s Office of Management and Budget calculations and landed on a determine near $505 billion. Other variables, similar to “likely savings from drug price reform” — but to be enacted — transfer it nearer to $600 billion.
The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities got here up with an identical estimate: $501 billion. The Congressional Budget Office’s estimate, not together with financial savings generated from proposed drug pricing reforms, was nearer to $400 billion.
In all circumstances, although, the reductions in Medicare spending can be achieved by way of proposals similar to reducing funds to suppliers and paying the identical quantity for a similar well being service supplied in several settings.
Goldwein mentioned these proposals for Medicare reform are largely bipartisan and “either mimic or build upon” these superior through the Obama period. He additionally mentioned that, in his group’s view, the “cuts” are financial savings to the Medicare program and beneficiaries, who would see decrease premiums and out-of-pocket medical prices.
The coverage specialists mentioned it’s probably the reductions in spending wouldn’t straight have an effect on the care that Medicare beneficiaries obtain. But supplier teams have complained that decrease reimbursements may drive some medical doctors to depart Medicare. Hospitals have argued towards the proposal for equalizing funds for related companies as a result of they are saying their overhead bills are greater than these of a health care provider’s workplace or off-site clinic and their greater charges assist finance different needed companies.
Timing Matters
The Priorities USA Action advert additionally alleges that Trump is attempting to chop Medicare “in the middle of a deadly pandemic.” But the timeline of occasions doesn’t assist this assertion.
The White House launched the 2021 funds proposal on Feb. 10 — nicely earlier than the COVID-19 outbreak had grow to be part of our nationwide consciousness.
The first home case of COVID-19 was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 21. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a “public health emergency of international concern” on Jan. 30.
On Feb. 10, the day the funds was launched, the CDC put out a press release stating there have been 13 circumstances of the illness within the U.S. CNN additionally printed an article that day stating the vast majority of COVID-19 circumstances and deaths had occurred in China. Authorities didn’t announce the first U.S. death from COVID-19 till Feb. 29. The WHO declared a pandemic on March 11.
“These budget proposals were probably developed well before the pandemic hit the U.S. and hit it hard,” mentioned Neuman. However, she added, “the administration hasn’t disavowed these proposals, but they also haven’t pushed them forward.”
Joseph Antos, a scholar in well being care and retirement coverage on the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, mentioned it was a “ridiculous statement to connect cutting Medicare spending to the COVID crisis.”
“The implication of the video that this is going on actively while we’re in the middle of this crisis, that’s dead wrong,” mentioned Antos.
Our Ruling
The Priorities advert mentioned Trump is attempting to make $451 billion in Medicare cuts “in the middle of a deadly pandemic.”
This is an exaggerated assault, even earlier than the pandemic is layered on high of it. The greenback determine itself is “in the ballpark” of what the coverage proposals would generate in spending reductions, giving this advert a sliver of reality. However, within the Trump funds, the quantity is unfold over 10 years — necessary context that was omitted.
What’s in Trump’s funds proposal isn’t a direct lower to Medicare. Instead, Priorities makes use of the age-old political tactic — employed on each side of the aisle — of holding up a discount in projected spending development as a “cut.”
Moreover, the advert leaves the impression that Trump is attempting to whack Medicare for seniors at a time when panic is especially excessive due to the coronavirus. But that connection to the pandemic can be deceptive. The presidential funds was launched weeks earlier than a lot of the nation started to understand the specter of COVID-19.
The declare incorporates a component of reality however ignores vital details and context that will give a special impression. We fee it Mostly False.
