A Washington Post/ABC News poll released last week found Americans trust Democrats more on health care than Republicans by a 53-35 percent margin.
Still, President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Democrats are putting patients with pre-existing conditions in danger. He said that Republicans will protect them, it what can best be described as a blatant lie. In fact the president’s words directly contradict the actions of his own administration, which has worked diligently in attempting to completely dismantle Obamacare.
“Republicans will totally protect people with Pre-Existing Conditions, Democrats will not! Vote Republican,†Trump tweeted. This is just one element of his attack on the truth as he escalates his rhetoric on health care while attempting to help GOP candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
All health experts say Trump’s claims are wrong, but this is a president who has never been bound or constrained by the truth. Since taking office his administration has continually tried to roll back the Affordable Care Act’s safeguards for people for pre-existing conditions.
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In another damaging move, his administration has promoted the sale of cheap health plans that do not comply with Obamacare’s requirements. These plans offer little protection, and they lack protections for sick people.
On top of all of that, Trump has joined a lawsuit that is asking for courts to abolish the health care law, President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement.
There is no doubt that Trump and GOP candidates are on the defensive. Democrats characterize next month’s election as a fight over patient protections and affordable healthcare. They have hammered Republicans on the campaign trail for putting tens of millions of vulnerable Americans at risk.
This is why Trump and other Republicans have begun lying about their positions, what they have done, and what they intend to do. They are walking a fine line as they attempt to show voters they support Obamacare’s protection provisions and at the same time show their hardcore supporters that they still plan to eliminate Obamacare’s provisions.
Hopefully the majority of American voters won’t be fooled by Republican lies and will vote for Democrats who truly do want to protect people with pre-existing health conditions. This is the only way this country will be able to do what it needs to do: provide affordable healthcare for all Americans.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
