Myth: Illegals, Abortion Covered By Health Care Reform
3,466 views · Published 22 August 2009 · 6:34 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: The Uptake by Bridgemakers · 2009 · News & Politics
Each and every day in this country, Americans are grappling with health care premiums that are growing three times the rate of wages and insurance company policies that limit coverage and raise out-of-pocket costs. Thousands are losing their insurance coverage each day. Without real reform, the burdens on Americas families and businesses will continue to multiply. Weve had a vigorous debate about health insurance reform, and rightly so. This is an issue of vital concern to every American, and Im glad that so many are engaged. But it also should be an honest debate, not one dominated by willful misrepresentations and outright distortions, spread by the very folks who would benefit the most by keeping things exactly as they are. So today, I want to spend a few minutes debunking some of the more outrageous myths circulating on the internet, on cable TV, and repeated at some town halls across this country. Lets start with the false claim that illegal immigrants will get health insurance under reform. Thats not true. Illegal immigrants would not be covered. That idea has never even been on the table. Some are also saying that coverage for abortions would be mandated under reform. Also false. When it comes to the current ban on using tax dollars for abortions, nothing will change under reform. And as every credible person who has looked into it has said, there are no so-called "death panels" an offensive notion to me and to the American people. These are phony claims meant to divide us. And weve all heard the charge that reform will somehow bring about a government takeover of health care. I know that sounds scary to many folks. It sounds scary to me, too. But heres the thing: its not true. I no sooner want government to get between you and your doctor than I want insurance companies to make arbitrary decisions about what medical care is best for you, as they do today. As Ive said from the beginning, under the reform we seek, if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your ...
