New Ad More of the Same False Attacks

June 14, 2012

Further Proof 14-Year Congresswoman Will Talk about Anything But Jobs, Economy

(Las Vegas, NV) – A new ad from Harry Reid front-group Patriot Majority spins more false attacks that Shelley Berkley’s campaign has been repeating for months, distorting Dean Heller’s record in an attempt to scare seniors.

“The very basis of this ad is false – these individuals would not be affected by the proposed changes to Medicare.  Not to mention the attacks in this ad have already been called the “Lie of the Year.” For Shelley Berkley and her mentor Harry Reid to keep repeating them is misleading and irresponsible. Shelley Berkley has always done whatever it takes to score political points.  Now, her Mediscare attacks are being used to do nothing more than frighten and mislead voters,” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman.

The Ad Tells Lies: 

Shelley Berkley and her Democratic allies have continued to allege that Dean Heller has voted to “end Medicare” even though this was deemed Politifact’s Lie of the Year. (Politifact.org “Lie of the Year: Democrats Claim Republicans Voted to End Medicare,”  December 20, 2011)

Medicare for the individuals in the ad – who have donated to President Obama’s campaign – would in no way be affected.  What they are saying is false. The individuals featured in the ad are more than 55 years old.  The Republican budget Dean Heller voted for would not make any change to the Medicare program for anyone that is 55 year and older. (Anjeanette Damon, “Sen. Dean Heller says he’s undecided on Ryan budget,” Las Vegas Sun, April 3, 2012)

The Truth

Shelley Berkley supported the President’s health care law that cut $500 billion out of the Medicare program. It also created a panel of 15 unelected bureaucrats that have the power to deny health care for seniors. (House Vote 165 – HR 3590, HR3590, March 21, 2010)

In fact, the government takeover of healthcare’s cuts to Medicare could put Medicare Advantage benefits at risk, including for 110,000 Nevadans: “Seniors in a number of states risk losing their Medicare Advantage benefits because of cuts in President Obama’s healthcare reform law, according to a new report from Avalere. The law contains about $200 billion in direct and indirect cuts to private Medicare plans through 2017.” (Julian Pecquet, “Report: Healthcare law cuts put Medicare Advantage benefits at risk in some states,” The Hill’s Healthwatch Blog, 3/12/12)

Shelley Berkley voted for a 2% cut from the Medicare program which would restrict seniors’ access to care.

• Sequestration as a result of the Budget Control Act would require Medicare cuts of up to $11 billion a year (about $140 billion over ten years) if deficit reduction targets are not reached (RC #123, 112th Congress, 1st Session).

In fact, Dean Heller has repeatedly voted to preserve the Medicare programs, voting against $1.6 trillion in proposed Medicare cuts:

• Opposed legislation that proposed expanding the SCHIP program by cutting Medicare by nearly $200 billion (RC #787, 110th 1st Session).
• Voted against ObamaCare, which cut half a trillion dollars from the Medicare program (RC #165, 111th Congress, 2nd Session).
• Opposed the Budget Control Act, which provides for possible Medicare cuts of up to $11 billion a year (about $140 billion over ten years) if deficit reduction targets are not reached (RC #123, 112th Congress, 1st Session).

 Dean Heller has consistently voted to ensure physicians are properly reimbursed so they will continue participating in the Medicare program and provide necessary services for seniors.

• (RC #1184, 110th Congress, 1st Session; RC # 443 and 491, 110th Congress, 2nd Session; RC #985 , 111th Congress, 1st Session; RC #211, #393, and #626, 111th Congress, 2nd Session; RC #232, 112th Congress, 1st Session).    

###