Issues: Health Care

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Jon Tester – Working for Washington”

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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce attacks Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) for supporting the Affordable Care Act, a cap-and-trade bill, and for the Senate’s failure to pass a budget resolution over the last three years. Contrary to the Chamber’s claims, however, the health care law doesn’t ‘cut’ Medicare benefits, and the cap-and-trade measure Tester supported would have had little impact on the average household budget.

Read more after the jump.

Congressional Leadership Fund: “I Will”

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The Congressional Leadership Fund wants New York voters to believe Rep. Kathy Hochul’s (D) support for ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and her opposition to repealing Obamacare amount to “working with President Obama to raise taxes that hurt small businesses.” That isn’t true. In reality, allowing the Bush tax cuts on top earners to expire would reduce deficits without harming the economy or affecting many actual employers, and the Affordable Care Act offers tax credits to millions of small businesses.

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Congressional Leadership Fund: “Busy Betty”

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An ad from the Congressional Leadership Fund attacks Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) over virtually every Democratic priority, citing the Recovery Act, a cap-and-trade bill, and the health care law. But the stimulus bill didn’t ‘fail’ – it helped avoid an even more severe economic downturn, and the ad’s charge that stimulus money went to China is unsupported. The cap-and-trade bill in question would have boosted the economy with little cost to consumers. And the allegation that the health care law – which cuts taxes for most Americans – would kill jobs has been dismantled repeatedly.

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Crossroads GPS: “Vision” IL-12

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In an ad hitting congressional candidate Bill Enyart (D-IL), Crossroads GPS levels a series of falsehoods about the Affordable Care Act. Despite the ad’s claims, the health care law reduces future Medicare spending without cutting seniors’ current benefits, it helps control rising costs, and it’s expected to expand insurance coverage – all without taking health care decisions away from individuals or raising taxes on most Americans.

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The Week In Conservative Attack Ads

It’s no surprise that conservative outside groups are ramping up their ad spending as November approaches. Counting spots released last Friday afternoon, we fact-checked 36 conservative attack ads this week, our highest one-week tally yet. The large total was driven by an increased focus on House races, which accounted for two-thirds of the ads we answered.

Once again, Karl Rove’s groups dominated the airwaves. As it does most weeks, American Crossroads issued a new attack on President Obama, this one attempting to undermine clear signs that the economy is picking up. Meanwhile, Crossroads GPS targeted eight House candidates go to along with six Senate candidates, which notably included Maine independent Angus King.

Read more after the jump.

60 Plus Association: “What Do Kirpatrick & Sinema Have In Common?”

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The 60 Plus Association hits two House candidates, former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Kyrsten Sinema, in an ad running in Arizona. The group accuses both candidates of favoring “higher taxes and spending,” citing their support for the Recovery Act. However, that bill not only helped rescue the economy from a deeper recession but also cut taxes for up to 95 percent of working Americans. 60 Plus also targets both candidates on health care, claiming that Kirkpatrick “voted to take $700 billion from Medicare” and “Sinema thought the law didn’t go far enough.” But Kirkpatrick’s opponent, Rep. Paul Gosar (R), supported the same Medicare savings as part of Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan, and Sinema’s alleged sin is supporting the extremely popular public insurance option.

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60 Plus Association: “Ron Barber: Washington Insider”

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Trying to paint him as a “Washington insider,” the 60 Plus Association attacks Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ), who won a special election this year to replace injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after the Tucson shooting. The ad takes issue with a raise Barber received as Giffords’ district director, even though his salary wasn’t uniquely high among district directors for Arizona’s House delegation, and with Barber’s support for the Affordable Care Act, even though repealing the law would have negative consequences for millions of people. Barber is no D.C. insider, however; prior to working for Giffords, he spent 30 years working for a state agency that helped Arizonans with developmental disabilities become independent and running a small business with his wife.

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U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Sherrod Brown – 4 Decades Is Long Enough”

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An ad from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was a “deciding vote” for the Affordable Care Act, which the ad says cut $716 billion from Medicare. But Brown was one of 60 senators to support the law, which seeks to reduce future Medicare spending without taking money out of the program. The Chamber also accuses Brown of casting “a vote against Ohio energy producers” but don’t mention that Brown was voting to support an EPA rule that would limit toxic mercury emissions, thereby saving thousands of lives each year.

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YG Network: “Washington Liberals”

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YG Network attempts to link Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, characterizing both of them as “the Washington liberals,” but the attack falls short on the facts. The “failed stimulus” created jobs, cut taxes, and protected the economy from a deeper recession. Meanwhile, the group suggests that McIntrye’s support of Pelosi as House Speaker led to the Affordable Care Act, even though he personally voted against the health care law. In fact, McIntyre has voted with his party 68 percent of the time in the current Congress, giving him the 11th most independent voting record of among representatives.

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60 Plus Association: “Why Did We Fire Dan Maffei In 2010?”

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The 60 Plus Association reminds voters of Dan Maffei’s support for the Recovery Act and health care reform prior to his defeat in the 2010 election. They also present those policies in a deeply misleading light, when the facts show the Recovery Act worked and the Affordable Care Act will save us money. As a kicker, 60 Plus attacks Maffei over Medicare spending reductions that his opponent, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R), voted for twice when they were included in GOP budgets.

Read more after the jump.