“They’re All Lying Through Their Teeth”

Senate Republican candidates have found a way to make their health care records even worse: lying about them. Today’s headlines need no further introduction.

Newsweek, HEADLINE: Rick Scott ad claims he supports protecting pre-existing conditions, but past actions suggest otherwise

Ramsey Touchberry

October 24, 2018

• With Scott as governor, Florida joined a federal lawsuit in spring seeking to strike down that provision of the health care law.
• Scott has long advocated for the full repeal of Obamacare, which would no longer require insurance companies to accept millions of people in Florida with pre-existing conditions

Bloomberg, HEADLINE: Clash on Health Care Takes Center Stage in Arizona Senate Race

Sahil Kapur

October 24, 2018

• McSally voted for Republican-sponsored legislation in 2017 that would have granted states waivers from an Obamacare provision that forbids insurers from charging people more on the basis of health status. Health-care specialists say that would allow insurance companies to raise prices, forcing sick people out of the market as was common before the the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010.
• Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema, who’s battling McSally for Arizona’s open Senate seat, immediately tore into opponent’s assertion. “Sadly, Martha wants to roll back these important protections. She voted to do so in 2015. She voted to do so again last year.”

Roll Call, HEADLINE: Health Care Vote Hounds Martha McSally in Tight Arizona Senate Race

Bridget Bowman

October 24, 2018

• GOP Rep. Martha McSally continues to face criticism for her vote to repeal much of the Affordable Care Act, and engaged in a heated exchange with a local reporter over protections for people with pre-existing conditions after an event Wednesday.

The Hill, HEADLINE: Scarborough tears into GOP candidates promising protections for pre-existing conditions: ‘They’re all lying’

Justin Wise

October 24, 2018

• “Oh my God, they’re all lying,” Scarborough said. “Let’s just start with [GOP Gov.] Rick Scott in Florida. … Did you know that he’s in charge, at the head of a lawsuit to do what? He’s suing to make sure that insurance companies do not have to cover pre-existing conditions.”

 

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