NBC, ABC and CBS all aired exclusive interviews with President Barack Obama last night discussing his sweeping plans to assume government control over the nation's health care industry. But none of the networks seemed aware of the bombshell easily discovered by Investor's Business Daily and confirmed by the House Ways and Means Committee: a provision in the bill that severely limits private health insurance choice.
Page 16 of the House bill, IBD reported, appears to make it illegal to "enroll any individual in such [private health insurance] coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day" of the year the legislation becomes law.
Media Research Center President and NewsBusters Publisher Brent Bozell called on anyone reporting on the bill read it before making the same mistake:
You cannot accurately report on legislation - or intelligently question politicians who haven't read the bill on its effects on Americans - without reading it yourselves. Period. Congress has a history of being utterly irresponsible in passing massive legislation without reading it, and it appears the liberal media are following their reckless lead.
Since many in the Congressional leadership refuse to pledge, we demand the media understand - and at the very least, read - the health care bill before any further reporting. It is their journalistic duty to inform Americans what is at risk and the severely limiting choices they will have in health care if this sweeping legislation is passed. They simply cannot do that intelligently without understanding the bill first.
For the full July 16 press release, click here.
