PolitiFact | Health Check

The Poynter Institute

PolitiFact Health Check is a partnership with Kaiser Health News to help you find the truth in politics. Every day, reporters and researchers from PolitiFact and Kaiser Health News examine statements by elected officials and candidates and anyone else who speaks up on matters of public importance.

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All Fact-checks for Health Check

stated on March 4, 2020 in in a press briefing

“With regard to the cost, let me be very clear: HHS has designated the coronavirus test as an essential health benefit. That means, by definition, it's covered in the private health insurance of every American, as well as covered by Medicare and Medicaid."

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stated on February 25, 2020 in an exchange during a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing

The mortality rate for the flu is “right around” that of the new coronavirus: “It’s right around 2%.”

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stated on November 15, 2019 in a Facebook post

“If you have the Flu… get these two items… Sambucol (and) Oscillococcinum… in 48 hours you will feel better. In 72 hours you will be almost symptom-free.”

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stated on February 25, 2020 in in remarks during the South Carolina Democratic primary debate

“(A recent study) said ‘Medicare for All’ will lower health care costs in this country by $450 billion a year and save the lives of 68,000 people who would otherwise have died.”

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stated on February 21, 2020 in a video ad released by the Pete Buttigieg for President campaign

“If you like your private plan, you can keep it.”

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stated on February 11, 2020 in a speech to the American Medical Association

"Yet, for all that spending, health outcomes today on Medicaid are mediocre and many patients have difficulty accessing care.”

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stated on February 19, 2020 in comments during the February Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas

“From the moment we passed that signature legislation, Mike (Bloomberg) called it a disgrace.”

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stated on February 7, 2020 in campaign talking points issued days before the New Hampshire primary

“Pete Buttigieg is a favorite candidate of Wall Street and the health care industry.”

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stated on February 7, 2020 in comments during the New Hampshire presidential primary debate

Sanders’ “Medicare for All” plan "would cost more than the entire federal budget that we spend now."

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stated on February 4, 2020 in his State of the Union address to Congress

"Our new (health care) plans are up to 60% less expensive and better" than Obamacare.

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stated on February 4, 2020 in his State of the Union

“Over 130 legislators in this chamber have endorsed legislation that would bankrupt our nation by providing free taxpayer-funded health care to millions of illegal aliens, forcing taxpayers to subsidize free care for anyone in the world who unlawfully crosses our borders."

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stated on February 4, 2020 in his State of the Union

Last year, "for the first time in 51 years, the cost of prescription drugs actually went down."

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Elizabeth Warren

stated on January 26, 2020 in comments made while campaigning in Davenport, Iowa.

"The president of the United States already has the legal authority to reduce the price of many commonly used prescription drugs."

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Better Future Michigan

stated on December 16, 2019 in a television advertisement.

Says Gary Peters "supports ‘Medicare for All,’ siding with radical liberals."

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stated on January 14, 2020 in comments about his "Medicare for All" plan during the January Democratic presidential debate.

"We end the $100 billion a year that the health care industry makes."

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stated on January 13, 2020 in a tweet.

"I was the person who saved Pre-Existing Conditions in your healthcare."

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Elizabeth Warren

stated on December 19, 2019 in comments made during the December Democratic presidential primary debate.

"Last year, 36 million Americans didn’t have a prescription filled because they couldn’t afford it."

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stated on December 19, 2019 in comments during the December Democratic presidential primary debate.

"If you're a black woman, you're 320% more likely to die from complications in childbirth."

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Pharmaceutical Research and Manfacturers of America

stated on November 27, 2019 in an ad in the “Politico Playbook PM” newsletter.

"Speaker Pelosi's drug pricing plan would siphon $1 trillion or more from biopharmaceutical innovators over the next 10 years. CBO's preliminary estimate found this bill ‘would result in lower spending on research and development and thus reduce the introduction of new drugs.’"

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stated on November 20, 2019 in comments made during the November Democratic presidential primary debate.

"The fact is that right now the vast majority of Democrats do not support Medicare for All."

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6 things to know about health care and the 2020 campaign

6 things to know about health care and the 2020 campaign

By Julie Rovner • January 30, 2020

Bloomberg on health care: Translating his mayoral record to the national stage

Bloomberg on health care: Translating his mayoral record to the national stage

By Shefali Luthra • January 23, 2020

Warren and Klobuchar say they can lower drug prices without Congress’ help

Warren and Klobuchar say they can lower drug prices without Congress’ help

By Emmarie Huetteman • January 15, 2020

Team Trump says administration’s action on health care ‘is working.’ Is it?

Team Trump says administration’s action on health care ‘is working.’ Is it?

By Shefali Luthra • January 13, 2020

Democrats debate whether 'Medicare for All' is realistic

Democrats debate whether 'Medicare for All' is realistic

By Emmarie Huetteman • December 20, 2019

‘HealthBent’: What Would Happen If The ACA Went Away?

‘HealthBent’: What Would Happen If The ACA Went Away?

By Julie Rovner • December 16, 2019

In this Democratic debate, health care issues took a backseat

In this Democratic debate, health care issues took a backseat

By Emmarie Huetteman • November 21, 2019

Health care stayed front and center at Democratic debate

Health care stayed front and center at Democratic debate

By Emmarie Huetteman • October 16, 2019

Trump’s new order for Medicare packs potential rise in patients’ costs

Trump’s new order for Medicare packs potential rise in patients’ costs

By Julie Appleby • October 7, 2019

Fact-checking Trump's claims about Medicare at The Villages in Florida

Fact-checking Trump's claims about Medicare at The Villages in Florida

By Shefali Luthra • October 3, 2019

Curing cancer: easy politics, difficult science

Curing cancer: easy politics, difficult science

By Shefali Luthra • June 24, 2019

How Obamacare, Medicare and ‘Medicare for All’ muddy the campaign trail

How Obamacare, Medicare and ‘Medicare for All’ muddy the campaign trail

By Shefali Luthra • May 13, 2019