Fact Checking the GOP debate: $500 billion in cuts to Medicare?

By Glenn Kessler
WashPost

“Senior citizens get this more than any other segment of our population, because they know in Obamacare the president of the United States took away $500 billion -- a half-trillion dollars -- out of Medicare, shifted it to Obamacare to pay for younger people. And it's senior citizens who have the most to lose in Obamacare." — Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) at the GOP debate, June 13, 2011

“Obamacare takes $500 billion out of Medicare and funds Obamacare.” — Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, at the debate

The two Republican aspirants perceived to have performed the best in the GOP debate broadcast Monday by CNN made strikingly similar claims about the impact of the new health care law on Medicare. Bachmann, as usual, made her assertion in a more colorful and memorable statement.

Their comments are an echo of the politically effective — but misleading — charge the GOP made against Democrats in 2010 midterm elections — that the health care law “cut” $500 billion from Medicare. In this case, the candidates are suggesting President Obama is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

(More here.)