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Myth #8: Taxpayer-paid abortions

Obamacare contains an “abortion surcharge and a secrecy clause” that forces
“pro-life Americans … to pay for other people’s abortions.”
-Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), 03/15/2012


Actually, the health insurance reform legislation maintains the current law of no federal funding for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is endangered. A federal judge recently wrote “the express language of the [Affordable Care Act] does not provide for taxpayer funded abortion. That is a fact and it is clear on its face.”

Read more in our new memo debunking the 12 biggest myths about the Affordable Care Act.

Myth #5: Job Killer

JOBS

This [Obamacare] will be the biggest job-killer ever.
-Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL), 03/26/2012

Actually, In contrast to the “significant job losses” projected by a 2011 GOP report, the law’s impact on jobs is likely to be minimal according to the CBO. The Republican report fails to mention that in many cases workers may be choosing to exit the labor market voluntarily. With new options to qualify for Medicaid or subsidized coverage, the Affordable Care Act allows those working solely for the purpose of keeping their insurance to work less or retire. Although fines imposed by the employer mandate may reduce the number of low-wage jobs, those cuts will be limited and largely offset by potential job increases in health and insurance industries.

In sum, the new law introduces incentives that will push employment numbers in both directions, but the net effect is hardly a doomsday for jobs.

Read more in our new memo debunking the 12 biggest myths about the Affordable Care Act.

Myth #4: Trillions added to the deficit

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Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt, and pushes those obligations on to coming generations.
 -Mitt Romney, 06/28/2012

Actually, the Congressional Budget Office says that the health care law will lower the deficit, by about $124 billion over 10 years. The reason is simply that the health care law has offsetting revenue and cost savings that exceed new spending.

Read more in our new memo debunking the 12 biggest myths about the Affordable Care Act.