Sen. McCain Forgets His Health Care Record In Petition Request

After Accepting Over $2 Million From Insurers, Sen. McCain Opposes Health Insurance Reform

Sen. McCain: "Last night, during his speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation, President Obama outlined his new proposal for health care reform.  While I respect the President's point of view, and hope for an eventual compromise, I believe his proposal amounts to an egregiously expensive and expansive form of government-run health care." [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original]

McCain Has Taken Over $2.2 Million From The Insurance Industry. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, McCain accepted at least $2,214,757 from the insurance industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 10/15/08]

Sen. McCain Is Out Of Touch With Everyday Americans

Sen. McCain: "After a month of hosting and attending town hall meetings with my constituents in Arizona and around the country, I know that Americans want health care reform. But what is so very clear to me is that Americans want to reform health care in the  right way. I am more convinced than ever that we must fix what is wrong  with our health care system while doing no harm to the parts that work well." [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original]  

55% Of Americans Support The Public Option.  According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll conducted between August 28^th and 31^st, 55% of Americans favor "creating a public health insurance option administered by the federal government that would compete with plan offered by private health insurance companies." By comparison, only 41% opposed and 4% were unsure.  [CNN/Opinion Research Poll results via PollingReport.com, accessed 9/11/09]

Sen. McCain Should Refer To The CBO's Estimate

Sen. McCain: "I am very troubled by the potential cost of the President's outlined plans.  I know that you are very concerned with the national debt and a projected $9 trillion deficit. The prospective cost of the President's plan could reach $2 trillion , and  frankly, our country simply cannot afford this price tag." [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original]  

CBO: House Bill Would Increase Revenue By $83 Billion And Result In A $65 Billion Net Increase In The Federal Deficit Over Ten Years.  In its letter to Chairman Rangel, the Congressional Budget Office wrote: "According to CBO's and JCT's assessment, enacting H.R. 3200 would result in a net increase in the federal budget deficit of $239 billion over the 2010-2019 period.  That estimate reflects a projected 10-year cost of the bill's insurance coverage provisions of $1,042 billion, partly offset by net spending changes that CBO estimates would save $219 billion over the same period, and by revenue provisions that JCT estimates would increase federal revenues by about $583 billion over those 10 years.  By the end of the 10-year period, in 2019, the coverage provisions would add $202 billion to the federal deficit, CBO and JCT estimate.  That increase would be partially offset by net cost savings of $50 billion and additional revenues of $86 billion, resulting in a net increase in the deficit of an estimated $65 billion. It is important to note that the figures presented here do not represent a complete cost estimate for the coverage provisions of the legislation." [CBO.gov, 7/17/09; emphasis added]

Sen. McCain Has Interesting Ideas To Rein In Health Care Spending

Sen. McCain: "I will not support heath care reform that adds to the out-of-control spending spree the Democrats in  Congress have gone on this year. And I ask you to join me in rejecting the addition of $2 trillion of debt by signing this petition right away." [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original]  

Senator McCain has had some interesting ideas about adjusting the costs of American health care.

McCain Pledged To "Reform" Entitlement Programs. Speaking to CPAC in February, McCain said, "I will not permit any expansion whatsoever of the entitlement programs that are bankrupting us.  On the contrary, I intend to reform those programs so that government is no longer in the habit of making promises to Americans it does not have the means to keep." [John McCain for President, accessed 2/7/08]

McCain Opposed Children's Health Expansion Because It Would Cover Too Many Children. McCain not only voted against SCHIP, he went to the Senate floor to argue against covering millions of additional children, arguing "the program has expanded beyond what Congress first intended. In some cases, SCHIP coverage has been extended to middle-income children." [Congressional Record, 8/2/07]

McCain Opposed Restoring Medicaid Eligibility To Pregnant Women And Children. In 1995, McCain voted against increasing tax collections in the bill by $51 billion by reducing revenue reductions for "upper income taxpayers" and spending the money by restoring Medicaid benefits for pregnant women and children and by including prenatal care and delivery services for pregnant women. The motion to table passed 50-49. [S 1357, Vote #532, 10/27/95]

McCain Voted To Cut Medicare By $270 billion.  In 1995, McCain voted for a budget that would cut Medicare by $270 billion.  [H.R. 2491, Vote #584, 11/17/1995; H.R. 2491, Vote #556, 10/27/1995; H.C.R. 67, Vote #296, 6/29/1995]

McCain Voted To Allow Use Of the Social Security Trust Fund To Balance The Budget. In 1995, McCain voted to kill an amendment that would reaffirm the commitment of the Congress not to use the surpluses in the Social Security Trust Fund to mask the true size of the deficit in any plan for a balanced budget. The motion to table passed 53-46. [H.J.R. 122, Vote #578, 11/16/95]

Sen. McCain's Idea Of Reform Is Cutting Medicare

Sen. McCain: "Government-run health care is something we simply cannot afford, and I know that the majority of Americans agree with me that it is not the quality of health care  that needs reforming, but the cost. But, I need to know you stand with me. Will you follow this link to sign my petition?" [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original] 

Sen. McCain's view of the reforms that are needed include:

McCain Voted To Raise The Medicare Eligibility Age From 65 to 67. In 1997, McCain voted in favor of raising the eligibility age for receiving Medicare from 65 to 67 with the change being phased in between 2003 and 2027. The motion passed 62-38. [S 947, Vote #112, 6/24/97]

1995: McCain Voted to Cut Medicare by $270 billion.  In 1995, McCain voted for budget that would cut Medicare by $270 billion.  [H.R. 2491, Vote #584, 11/17/1995; H.R. 2491, Vote #556, 10/27/1995; H.C.R. 67, Vote #296, 6/29/1995]

McCain Voted Against the Prescription Drug/Medicare Bill After Voting Down 12 Important Enhancements to the Legislation.  In 2003, McCain voted against a Medicare bill which did little to lower the costs of prescription drugs.  Under the limited drug benefit, those with drug costs below $5,800 would still have to pay most of their drug costs, and premiums would vary across the country. The bill passed 76-21. [S 1, Vote #262, 6/26/03]

Sen. McCain Accuses Democrats Of Pushing Through Gimmicky Legislation

Sen. McCain: "As you know, the Democrats in Washington are doing everything in their power to  push through their proposed reform full of political gimmicks. Your action today will send a clear messageto them; we don't want government-run  health care. Thank you, my friend, for your support and involvement on this very  important national issue." [McCain email, 9/10/09, emphasis original]  

"Push Through"? The process to achieve meaningful health insurance reform has been going on for over a year.  President Obama made it a key part of his platform during his campaign - as did Senator McCain - and so the current movement should have surprised no one.

Senator McCain Made Health Care Reform A Part Of His Campaign Platform.  According to his 2008 presidential campaign website, Senator John McCain wanted to address the health care crisis during his presidency including halting the "rapidly rising cost," instituting insurance reforms, and encouraging personal responsibility.  [JohnMcCain.com via the Way Back Machine, June 2008 archive accessed 9/1/09]

Then-Senator Barack Obama Made Health Care Reform A Key Part Of His Campaign.  According to his 2008 presidential campaign website, then-Senator Barack Obama stated an intent to fix America's health care system through providing "quality, affordable" health coverage for all, lowering costs, and finding new solutions. [BarackObama.com via the Way Back Machine, February 2008 archive accessed 9/1/09]

What's gimmicky about a system that provides secure, affordable health coverage for American citizens?

President Obama: My Plan Will Provide Stable, Affordable Insurance For American Families.  During his speech to a joint session of Congress, President Obama laid out his plans for health care reform. "The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals.  It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance.  It will provide insurance for those who don't.  And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government." [WhiteHouse.gov, 9/9/09]