Obama's False Medicare Claim

From: subscriberservices-OTpw/[email protected](FactCheck.org)

Obama's False Medicare Claim 
October 20, 2008 

He accuses McCain of proposing to cut benefits. Not true. 
Summary 

In a TV ad and in speeches, Obama is making bogus claims that McCain
plans to cut $880 billion from Medicare spending and to reduce benefits. 

A TV spot says McCain's plan requires "cuts in benefits, eligibility or
both." 
Obama said in a speech that McCain plans "cuts" that would force seniors
to "pay more for your drugs, receive fewer services, and get lower
quality care." 

These claims are false, and based on a single newspaper report that says
no such thing. McCain's policy director states unequivocally that no
benefit cuts are envisioned. McCain does propose substantial "savings"
through such means as cutting fraud, increased use of information
technology in medicine and better handling of expensive chronic
diseases. Obama himself proposes some of the same cost-saving measures.
We're skeptical that either candidate can deliver the savings they
promise, but that's no basis for Obama to accuse McCain of planning huge
benefit cuts.   Note: This is a summary only. The full article with
analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site: 

POINTER: 
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_false_medicare_claim.html