Stories by Eugene Kiely
Former Director, FactCheck.org
Senate Majority PAC Not Telling Whole Story
A Democratic ad says former Sen. Scott Brown “delivered” for “big banks” in the Senate, citing two legislative changes he sought that benefited the industry. But the ad lacks important context.
Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
Q: Does the Affordable Care Act allow states to confiscate the estates of seniors on Medicaid when they die?
A: No, but a 1993 federal law requires states to recover Medicaid costs for long-term care from the estates of deceased Medicaid beneficiaries over the age of 55.
Jan. 10: Medicaid, HealthCare.gov, Poverty
Our Year-End Appeal
We want to take this time to thank you for your support throughout the year and ask that you consider keeping us in mind for your year-end giving.
No ‘Back Door’ Gun Control
Q: Did “Obama and the EPA” shut down the nation’s last lead smelting plant as part of a “back door gun control” plan to reduce the supply of ammunition?
A: No. The plant closing on Dec. 31 is in response to EPA rules adopted before President Obama took office, and ammunition manufacturers say it will not affect supply.
Dec. 20: Whoppers of 2013
Dec. 13: Education Spending, Unemployment, Texas Senate Primary
Rand Paul, Obama & Black Unemployment
Sen. Rand Paul says “black unemployment in America is double white unemployment” and “hasn’t budged” under President Obama. Actually, the black unemployment rate is lower now than when Obama took office, and the gap between the races is below the historical average.
Obama on Education Investments
President Obama says public investment in schools was “allowed to wither” as a result of the “trickle-down ideology” of recent decades. There’s no clear trend for public spending on education as a percentage of the U.S. economy, but public investment hasn’t withered.