Boehner struggles with his failed ACA predictions

[Omaha Steve]

Source: MSNBC

By Steve Benen

House Speaker John Boehner sat down with NBC’s Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press” yesterday, and the host asked a good question about the Republican leader’s failed predictions about the Affordable Care Act. Regrettably, the Speaker couldn’t respond with an equally good answer.
TODD: You made some dire predictions about health care. 2014 you said fewer people would have health insurance. According to plenty of surveys, more people have health insurance today than they did before it went down from – the uninsured rate went down 17 percent to just under 12 percent. You said it would destroy jobs. The first year it was implemented, the country added 3 million jobs. Why…

BOEHNER: Obamacare made it harder for employers to hire people. The economy expands and as a result, you are going to have more employees because businesses have to. But if you can ask any employer in America, and ask them whether Obamacare has made it harder for them to hire employees, they’ll tell you yes. Because it’s a fact.

When you look at – you know why there are more people insured? Because a lot more people are on Medicaid. And giving – you know, we expanded Medicaid in a big way. And giving people Medicaid insurance is almost like giving them nothing. Because there aren’t – you can’t find a doctor that will see Medicaid patients.

FULL story at link.



House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 14, 2015, following a GOP strategy meeting. Photo by Andrew Harnik/AP

Read more: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/boehner-struggles-his-failed-aca-predictions#break

[samsingh]

1. e.g. he wants people not to have healthcare because some of his friends

don't want it.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Idiot, but he finally said at least one honest thing.

The economy expands and as a result, you are going to have more employees because businesses have to.

Ding ding ding! Yes, Speaker Boehner, the real 'job creator' is DEMAND. Businesses do not hire employees simply for the hell of it, or to be 'nice'. They do it because THEY HAVE TO. Because demand is greater than they can meet with existing employees.

[jalan48]

3. I expect any day now Boehner will announce he has dementia-too much wine for Mr. Orange.

[rurallib]

4. Well, you have to remember it was morning and his alcohol level was low

probably only had a bloody mary or two.

Can you tell that it really bothers me to have a fucking drunk two heartbeats from being president?

[City Lights]

5. Republicans are wrong about everything.

I am surprised to learn that Chuckie the Toad asked him a tough question.

[CTyankee]

11. and it really wasn't that tough...even Chuck has to see the handwriting on the wall...

it's frickin' OBVIOUS...

Boner is a disgrace and a clown...

[City Lights]

12. And Chuckie never challenged any of the lies Boner

told when giving his answer. It's maddening.

[CTyankee]

13. If he did that, then Boner wouldn't grant him an interview again...isn't that the excuse?

Chuck's precious "access" would be weakened and he can't have that. He makes too much money and can't afford to see it diminished by asking really hard questions.

Chuck's got a lifestyle to support, after all...

[City Lights]

14. Yes, I believe that is the excuse he uses.

I had forgotten that until you mentioned it.

[CTyankee]

15. Chuck really doesn't get it...that explanation is so self serving I can't believe it...

smart folks can see right thru it. The man is in a bubble...

[Thinkingabout]

6. Boehner has a large struggle with the truth. To admit more people have insurance today

would make his predictions a big lie and he isn't willing to accept his predictions was wrong.

[SoapBox]

7. What an asshole.

Just go smoke, drink, play golf on those military golf courses, get your fake tan...and leave the 99% of us alone.

[asiliveandbreathe]

8. Thank you Omaha Steve for all you do -

Boehner - Obamacare made it harder for employers to hire people. The economy expands and as a result, you are going to have more employees because businesses have .

Follow up Chuckie - ask "Can you be more specific..what exactly do you mean by this statement?"

Boehner - "That's my story and I'm sticking to it.."

Chuckie "Obama care made it harder for employers to hire people? I thought "business demand" dictates hiring?"

Boehner "next question?"

Chuckie "but, you didn't answer the first question coherently"..

Boehner "Because a lot more people are on Medicaid. And giving – you know, we expanded Medicaid in a big way. And giving people Medicaid insurance is almost like giving them nothing. Because there aren’t – you can’t find a doctor that will see Medicaid patients".

Chuckie "Who, again, expanded Medicaid?"

Boehner - "gulp"

[onehandle]

9. Worst Speaker In History. nt

[Shaman53]

10. Missing Tim

Replacing David Gregory with Chuck Todd was like changing nozzles on a D-bag. Its a shame, we lost Tim Russert too soon. He would have called out this sociopath. I just had my first full medical check-up in 7 years thanks to the ACA.