Reporter Chuck Todd and Senator Joe Lieberman both act like it's a surprise that...

[Eric J in MN]

...if the federal government subsidizes health insurance premiums for needy people, then the federal cost will increase.

That's what CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf wrote in his report.

It isn't surprising. The House Democrats know that this will cost money, and put a surtax on the rich in their bill.

The cost-to-the-federal-government is a different issue than the average-cost-of-premiums, which the bill aims to slow the increase in.

But Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) signed a letter conflating the two different costs.

And reporter Chuck Todd is acting like it's a huge surprise that subsidizing the purchase of health insurance would cost the federal gov't money, saying, "Last week, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office sort of turned this debate on its ear when they said that one of the House plans would actually increase the cost of health care."

[ellenfl]

1. chuck todd speaks out of both sides of his mouth. eom

[Eric J in MN]

2. Media Matters covers a different aspect of Chuck Todd's reporting.

http://mediamatters.org/research/200907230013

[fascisthunter]

3. wow... nailed. He has been Exposed

good... I knew that weasel couldn't be trusted.