CBO says health care reform will reduce deficits, but WaPo reporter has no opinion

Written by Jamison Foser

Published

During a Washington Post online Q&A, Lois Romano claimed that health care reform legislation would “drive up the deficit.” But the Congressional Budget Office has said reform would reduce the deficit, as Romano's readers quickly pointed out. That's when things got strange:

Lois Romano: Some legislators are from conservative districts or states where constituents are not keen on the bill for various reasons-- one being that it costs too much and will drive up the deficit. Those legislators will oppose the bill in the hope of getting reelected.

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Chicago: Lois: you stated: Some legislators are from conservative districts or states where constituents are not keen on the bill for various reasons-- one being that it costs too much and will drive up the deficit. The only credible referee in this matter has been the CBO which has said that the bill would contain costs and reduce the deficit. I always thought the Fox Party echo chamber was formidable but maybe I have underestimated it all these years. Please tell me you misspoke? Thanks.

Lois Romano: Perhaps I wasnt clear: the constituents in these districts have come to believe the bill is too expensive.

I dont have an opinion.

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RE Health care: " one being that it costs too much and will drive up the deficit"

This is not true. The CBO Says the bill will lower the deficit by 130 billion over the next ten years.(even more in the second decade) You are willingly repeating talking points even after they have been proven false. No wonder the public is confused

Lois Romano: Again- I was stating what these constituents may believe- not what I think.

I have no opinion.

So, some people “may believe” health care reform would drive up the deficit, despite the fact that the CBO says it will reduce the deficit. But Lois Romano has “no opinion” about which is more accurate. This, of course, is exactly the reason why “the constituents in these districts have come to believe the bill is too expensive” -- reporters like Lois Romano who refuse to say whether random beliefs are less credible than the findings of the Congressional Budget Office.