header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Commentary by Carole Lutness
| Monday, Dec 16, 2013

carolelutnessmugTroubled by a mailer received from Assemblyman Scott Wilk, members of the SCV Fair Elections Committee have filed a complaint against the Republican Caucus for their Covering Health Care California website (coveringhelthcareca.com), which the committee believes contains “distortions, lies and misinformation.”

The group reviewed the website and found factual errors and misleading statements which appear to be a deliberate attempt to discourage the public from participating in and supporting the Affordable Care Act.

Rather than directing the public to the official California ACA website, Covered California (coveredca.com), the Republican website promotes a negative, alarmist perspective that could confuse and dissuade people from signing up for the program.

For example, the Covering Health Care California (Republican Caucus) website states: “The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in a March 2012 report that coverage expenses under the Affordable Care Act will cost the country a total of $1.76 trillion.”

Fact checking by the SCV Fair Election Committee found that the Congressional Budget Office actually projected that the ACA will lower both future deficits and Medicare spending, and that slower growth in health spending because of the ACA might boost jobs.

The committee found that rather than health-care spending increasing, it has hit a new low. Health care costs rose by only 1.3 percent per year from 2010 to 2013, according to a recent report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers.  That’s the lowest increase in a three-year period on record. White House officials cite the 2010 ACA as a main factor in lowering costs.

Additionally, the Republican website claims there will be cuts to Medicare provider rates to pay for other components of the Affordable Care Act such as expanding Medicaid (MediCAL) coverage to anyone with less than $16,000 yearly income. The site claims: “Medicare providers will see rate cuts nearing $200 billion over the next decade. These cuts could potentially result in the exodus of doctors from the Medicare system and force Medicare recipients to find new providers, possibly facing longer wait times for care as that pool of doctors shrinks.”

The SCV Fair Elections Committee found through the national fact-checking source Politifact, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2012: “Neither Obama nor his health care law literally cut a dollar amount from the Medicare program’s budget. … Rather, the health care law instituted a number of changes to try to bring down future health care costs in the program.”

What kind of spending reductions are we really talking about? They are mainly aimed at insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries.

The actual nature of the cuts from the Affordable Care Act, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.gov), are are:

*Reducing excessive Medicare payments to private insurers who operate in Medicare Advantage ($68 billion);

*Reforming provider payments, including improved productivity ($85 billion);

*Improving patient safety through the Partnership for Patients ($10 billion);

*Cracking down on fraud and abuse in the Medicare system and getting the best value for Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers for durable medical equipment ($7.8 billion);

*Additional provisions, including the net effect of expanded benefits, lowered payments for hospital acquired conditions, readmissions reductions, and adjustment to premium subsidies ($41 billion).

The Committee looked at Snopes, Pants on Fire, Fact Check, Wikipedia, numerous newspaper articles and other fact-checking sources and found scores of instances of distortions and misinformation on the Republican Caucus website.

Nearly 100 people have asked to be co-signers of the complaint. What concerns people is not just the misinformation on the Republican Caucus website, but also the spirit in which it portrays the ACA.

We know that Assemblyman Scot Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, and other Republican legislators used taxpayer money to send out the mailer about the website, and that the website itself may have been paid for by taxpayer money.

These legislators are sworn officers of our state government and, as such, we believe they should be upholding the law, not trying to undermine it.

The committee believes there may be violations that should be investigated by the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the Attorney General’s office.  Public money should not be used to further a political agenda.

This story has been widely publicized over the last few days. Many people are outraged by such blatant political, mean-spirited behavior by elected officials.  The committee believes this mailing, paid for by taxpayer money, and the website appear to represent a misuse of public funds, a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and a violation of the public oath of office which should be investigated and if appropriate, prosecuted by both the FPPC and the AG offices.

 

Carole Lutness is chair of the SCV Fair Elections Committee.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

6 Comments

  1. Debbie K says:

    Oh, yes, I feel confident in their findings, knowing the SCV Fair Elections Committee used Snopes and Wikipedia,and other fact-checking sources, to make their determinations! That’s not an investigation, any more so than using press releases would be for a news story. Seriously?

  2. Jeff F says:

    I agree.

    Wikipedia, as a definitive source of research, are you kidding me? Even a high school student knows better than that.

    I think its the SCV Election committee that needs to be investigated for incompetence.

    The part about debunking the Medicare cuts also makes me laugh. Looks like the GOP site is warning that hospitals and providers will leave the Medicare system due to the ACA’s rate cuts.

    The author then points out “What kind of spending reductions are we really talking about? They are mainly aimed at insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries.”

    Isn’t that exactly what the site is saying?

  3. Nanette Meister says:

    Why should tax payers pay for a political view of republicans? Please do not reward lies or cheaters. People need affordable health insurance, it is the law of the land, sending people to a phony web site is plain wrong.

  4. Josh Heath says:

    Very sad. One party presents solutions, and the other manipulates them.

  5. Diana Shaw says:

    I,too, found Assemblyman Wilk’s mailer troublesome. Casting stones at the good people who are fact checking Wilk’s assertions is a misplaced use of energy, and certainly not constructive. Splitting hairs over the accuracy of Wikipedia is a distraction. I followed the link on the Assemblyman’s flyer to the Covering Healthcare California website. First I got confused, because this was obviously not a website dedicated to education about the new law, but rather a sophomoric, transparently and embarrassingly partisan treatment. Let’s face it, people need insurance. None of us benefits from sick people crowding our emergency rooms, while hospitals spread the costs of their treatment to those who assume the responsibility of paying their fair share. If consumers either can’t afford insurance or fail to demonstrate personal responsibility to my detriment, well, its time to make them pay their fair share. If the ACA needs tweaking, tweak it. But, don’t scare people into not getting insurance, so that I end up paying for their care! The uninsured hurt all of us, including themselves.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16: Public Works Virtual Community Meeting for Updating Bicycle Master Plan
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
SCVNews.com