Conservative Media's Worst Predictions For Obamacare That Never Came To Pass
Published
Conservative media figures issued apocalyptic warnings and predictions about the consequences of passing health care reform. Yet in the five years since President Obama signed the bill into law, the number of uninsured Americans has dropped by the largest amount in four decades, insurers can no longer deny coverage for preexisting conditions, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that Obamacare subsidies will cost $209 billion less than projected.
On the anniversary of health care reform's passage, Media Matters looked back at right-wing media's most dire predictions.
“The End Of America As You Know It.”
In November 2009, Glenn Beck declared that the possible passage of health care reform “will be a nail in the coffin of America” and would cause the public to “all wallow in misery.” Obamacare would be “the end of prosperity in America forever ... the end of America as you know it.”
Beck later predicted health care granted Obama “the pieces the president needs to control every aspect of your life,” including control over whether and when people can have children.
“All Of Us Will Be Slaves.”
Rush Limbaugh argued in 2009 that Obamacare was “aimed at robbing you of your humanity and forcing you to bow down to the state.” He predicted, “All of us will be slaves” because “the road to serfdom ... is paved in Obamacare.”
The next year, Limbaugh forecast that health care reform would lead to "250 million uninsured."
“It's Going To Be A Bloodbath.”
Radio host Jim Quinn argued in January 2010 that the passage of Obamacare would bring “an insurrection. You're going to see an uprising.” According to Quinn, “Your taxes are going to go through the roof. It's going to be a bloodbath.”
Reform Will Topple The Stock Market.
CNBC's Jim Cramer predicted in March 2010 that Obamacare would topple the stock market, arguing it was the “single biggest impediment to the stock market going higher.” (Notably, the DOW and Nasdaq neared all-time highs in March 2015.)
No Care For Granny Because “She's Too Old.”
Cal Thomas claimed on Fox News in 2010 that while they may not “pull the plug on Granny” due to Obamacare, “they will deny her care because she's costing too much and she's too old.”