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Speaker Ryan Uses Alternative Fact to Sell Trumpcare

May 2, 2017
Blog Post
This afternoon, Speaker Ryan tweetedVERIFIED: MacArthur Amendment strengthens AHCA, protects people with pre-existing conditions.'

But he's not fooling anyone with this lie.  Fact: the MacArthur Amendment guts the protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would charge sick people more for less coverage.

Don't take it from us… here are reporters, outside groups, experts, and Members of Congress responding to the Speaker's tweet:

AARP Advocates? @AARPadvocates  

FACT CHECK: high-risk pools don't protect people with preexisting conditions. We encourage Congress to fix the bill. http://blog.aarp.org/2017/04/27/state-high-risk-pools-failed-consumers-in-the-past-and-theyd-fail-them-again/ …

Emily C. Singer? @CahnEmily  

It's really embarrassing when you can't find ONE outside expert to corroborate your assertion.

Jennifer Bendery? @jbendery  

This is just irresponsible. Their proposal GUTS the pre-existing condition guarantee. Read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obamacare-repeal-pre-existing-conditions_us_5900124fe4b0026db1dc423b …

Benjy Sarlin? @BenjySarlin  

Verified by who? Not only is it not accurate, there's not an outside citation given in the link.

Brian Beutler? @brianbeutler  

By "VERIFIED" Ryan doesn't mean CBO has analyzed the bill and verified these claims. What he means is, "F*#!% you."

Matthew Yglesias? @mattyglesias  

VERIFIED: House GOP leadership regards a plainly false claim to be crucial to their bill's political viability.

James Surowiecki? @JamesSurowiecki  

VERIFIED: This tweet is a bald faced lie.

Justin Wolfers? @JustinWolfers  

Here's how you know he's lying: He's pushing a vote before the independent analysts at the CBO publish their analysis.

Mark Takano? @RepMarkTakano  

Speaker Ryan is using "VERIFIED" the same way @seanspicer uses "PERIOD."

Chris Murphy? @ChrisMurphyCT  

VERIFIED: You are bleeding moderate votes bc your members have realized they will lose their seats if they vote for this abomination.

Brian Schatz? @brianschatz 

First, this is just flat untrue. Second, that is not how you verify something.

Dan Pfeiffer? @danpfeiffer 

Never forget that on matters of policy, Paul Ryan lies as often and with as little shame as Donald Trump