January 04 ,2010

Last Big Lie of the Year: "I didn't campaign on a public option."

The Liar: President Barack Obama. 

What Kind of a Lie is It?: Veteran political cynics may regard it as a garden variety campaign lie. Conservatives may be delighted with the reality and progressives may be irate. However, in view of Obama's promise to deliver "change we can believe in," and in view of Obama's campaign literature, it constitutes a major breach on a monumental policy issue that will effect tens of millions of people. None of which should come as a surprise to close observers of his September 9 speech on health care-- which was rousing rhetorically but nonetheless backed off this key aspect of health reform.

The Context: As the health care bill passed the Senate just before Christmas--and the public option fell by the wayside--Obama was asked specifically about it.

He responded:

"Every single criteria for reform that I put forward is in this bill. It is true that the Senate version does not have a public option....But I   didn't campaign on a public option. I think it is a good idea. But as I said in that speech on Sept. 9 (on health care), it is just one small element of a broader reform effort. And so we don't feel that the core elements to help the American people that I campaigned on and that we've been fighting for all year have been compromised in any significant way."

The Reality: It is true, as Obama argued, that the term "public option" was rarely used on the campaign trail in 2008. But it was part of his campaign literature and watchdog sites such as Politifact.com rated it among his top ten campaign promises.  the health care plan posted on Obama's site specifically called for a public option and it was taken seriously enough that watchdog sites such as Politifact.com rated it among his top ten campaign promises. In fact, it is still posted on Obama's site:

The Obama-Biden plan will create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals purchase new affordable health care options if they are uninsured or want new health insurance. Through the Exchange, any American will have the opportunity to enroll in the new public plan or an approved private plan, and income-based sliding scale tax credits will be AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE COVERAGE OPTIONS FOR ALL provided for people and families who need it. Insurers would have to issue every applicant a policy and charge fair and stable premiums that will not depend upon health status. The Exchange will require that all the plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and meet the same standards for quality and efficiency. Insurers would be required to justify an above-average premium increase to the Exchange. The Exchange would evaluate plans and make the differences among the plans, including cost of services, transparent.