Why Lie to Us?

Press Release

Today marks the 5 year anniversary of a promise Mark Warner made at a Fredericksburg Town Hall meeting and broke two months later. Video of Warner's promise is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzdPGuQgFrI&feature=youtu.be

Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.

Man in audience: Why lie to us?

Warner: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I'm not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.

Two months later, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.

Last year, PolitiFact dubbed, "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it' the "Lie of the year."

Speaking about Mark Warner's broken promise, Ed Gillespie said, "Mark Warner has not been the Senator he said he would be. Everywhere I go, I hear stories from fellow Virginians who lost the health insurance they liked due to Obamacare, many of whom are now paying significantly more for their coverage and are unable to see the doctors they trust.

"Obamacare is perhaps the greatest factor contributing to the squeeze felt by so many hardworking Virginians. Mark Warner was wrong five years ago when he promised Virginia voters they could keep their plans and doctors and broke his promise two months later. But, more importantly, he's wrong about what to do now. Mark Warner thinks they got it right, while I would replace Obamacare with market-oriented policies that will ease the squeeze on hardworking Virginians."

BACKGROUND:

Mark Warner's full town hall held Sept. 3, 2009 in Fredericksburg is available at http://www.c-span.org/video/?288690-1/senator-mark-warner-town-hall-meeting

In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. "Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law." (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, "Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations," CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Is "Largely Responsible" For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. "Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out." (Chris Frates, "Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations," CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. "The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare's more robust coverage requirements." (Chris Frates, "Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations," CNN, 10/31/13)

In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. "McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits." (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because "He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding" While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. "Webb's office provided this statement:: "Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.'" (Amy Lotven, "Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion," Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)

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