Paul Ryan Fact-Checks Republicans On Obamacare Job 'Costs'

[highplainsdem]

Source: Talking Points Memo

At least one Republican is setting the record straight on what the Congressional Budget Office actually said this week about Obamacare and its effect on jobs.

House Budget Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) explained in a Wednesday hearing with CBO director Steven Elmendorf that the health care reform law wouldn't cost the U.S. economy more than 2 million jobs, as many of his colleagues alleged, but that Americans would choose to work less.

"I want to make sure we accurately understand what it is you are saying," Ryan said, before leading Elmendorf through a series of questions to explain the report and its findings.

Ryan and Elmendorf combined to explain that Obamacare would lead to a decrease in the number of hours worked by up to 2 percent in 2024. Most of that drop, the CBO said, would be the result of Americans choosing not to work, for various reasons, but not because employers would want to hire fewer workers on account of the law. Translate those lost hours into full-time employment and it equals up to 2.5 million jobs by 2024. But that's not the same as jobs being cut.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/paul-ryan-gop-job-losses

[groundloop]

1. Those lazy Americans......(I've heard a ton of misinformation about this already)

When I saw the first headline I couldn't believe what I was reading. After digging deeper it started to make a bit more sense (but when do GOPers or independent voters ever chose to dig deeper and find facts?). One thing that caught my attention was that many people in their 60's and late 50's would chose to retire because now they were ensured of the availability of affordable health insurance.

Of course another part of the story is that the WalMarts and McDonalds in this country will cut peoples hours to keep from paying benefits. And somehow the fact that corporations are greedy is the fault of the Affordable Care Act.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

3. I'm not a huge fan of the ACA (I'm an advocate of single-payer) ...

... however, this forecast of people choosing to work less will actually increase wages (perhaps, not dramatically). Since less people will work, employers will have to increase wages to attract/incentivize workers. Supply/Demand in favor of Labor.

This, I like.

[groundloop]

8. Oh, I'd definitely prefer "Medicare for All"

And I have no doubt that if we had a robust single-payer system in this country far more people could chose to retire at an early enough age so that they could enjoy a decent retirement (myself included). But the ACA does improve many things that are/were wrong with private insurance.

[magical thyme]

11. this ^^^^ Ryan is planning to queue up the "Americans are Lazy" scenario

Not that, "finally people in their 60s will be able to afford to retire or cut back their hours to part time as they prepare to retire." But they are "Lazy" for not wanting to work until they drop dead in their harnesses.

[Jamaal510]

2. Did I just read that right?

PR admitted that Obamacare would not cost jobs?

The apocalypse is near.

[Dopers_Greed]

4. This new line of anti-ACA reporting is so intellectually dishonest

That even Paul Ryan is disputing it.

That's saying something.

[magical thyme]

12. don't get too excited. His take is that Obamacare promotes laziness

He thinks that young people will lose their incentive. Hasn't occurred to him that the hour cuts will be people in their 60s who can either retire a little earlier or at least cut back their hours as they prepare to retire.

[Plucketeer]

5. This has gotta be BIG NEWS

on FOX!

[Gary 50]

6. Paul Ryan flip-flop...

A day or two from now Lyin Ryan will be towing the Republican line that because of the ACA 2 million jobs will be lost. How the truth ever accidently, momentarily escaped his lips will be hotly debated over the next few centuries. Maybe it was a brain seizure? Maybe his body was taken over by aliens?

[thesquanderer]

7. Also, if people retire sooner because they are not slaves to their health coverage...

...those jobs open up for other people, which could help address unemployment as well.

[Herself]

9. the way it used to work!

Back when college bound students could work summers to help pay for college etc.

[frylock]

10. and that's the last thing the repubs want to happen

[classof56]

13. I don't know much about economy, but I do wonder...

If 2+ million jobs were vacated for the reasons put forth by the CBO, would not that open up a similar number of jobs to those seeking employment?

Perhaps that's 'way too simplistic, but just a thought...

Many years ago, I found myself thinking the time might come when job-seekers would be combing obituaries on the chance jobs held by the departed might have come available. Pretty sure we're not there, yet, of course. Right?

Cheers.

[JoePhilly]

15. Yes ... and there is another additive factor.

Some of these folks will start their own businesses. They would have done so sooner, but they knew that they'd never be able to get insurance on the free market.

Now they can leave and get insurance when they start a new business.

I know some one who is going to do this. She wants to tackle a product niche that her current company doesn't plan to engage in, but for which they have some overlap, crossover sales and services opportunities.

Her business plans start with about 30 people, grows to about 200 or so within the first 3 years. She's had funding lined up for a few years, just waiting for Obamacare to fully kick in.

[classof56]

16. Good for your friend! And thanks for posting.

An example of the many doors that are being opened to the benefit of those ready and willing to step through into the job market.

Good news all around! I wish your friend well. Sounds like she's on the road to success, trickle down effect in place for all those she will employ.

Yes!

[kelliekat44]

14. This outght to be a great selling point to the below 35 group to help the ACA be successful. More

Would potentially open up more employment opportunities for them.