Adwatch: Angle Opposes Colon Cancer Mandate?
Senator Harry Reid and Republican challenger Sharron Angle continue to slug it out in a high-volume duel of television ads attacking each other's records.
One of the latest from the Reid campaign takes aim at Angle's position on mandates for health insurance companies.
Here's a look at the ad and its claims.
(TV Ad Script) "Colon cancer kills unless you catch itearly. That's why 39 members of the Assembly voted to make sure insurance companies cover colon cancer tests, but Sharron Angle was one of only two to vote no. Jon Ralston: "don't you think its government's responsibility to make sure insurance companies cover certain things? Sharron Angle: "no, I don't think so." Sharron Angle's against making insurance companies cover colon cancer tests, mammograms or anything else. That's not just extreme. It's dangerous. I'm Harry Reid and I approve this message."
OK. Let's rewind and take a closer look claim by claim.
"Colon cancer kills unless you catch it early."
TRUE*
Depending on the location of a tumor, various studies have put the survival rate after early detection in the area of 70 to 80, even 90 percent. Chances for survival drop off considerably if the cancer is detected in later stages.
"That's why 39 members of the Assembly voted to make sure insurance companies cover colon cancer tests, but Sharron Angle was one of only two to vote no."
TRUE
The year was 2003, the bill SB183 requiring insurance companies to cover tests for colorectal cancer. It sailed through both houses. Angle and fellow conservative Don Gustafson were the only lawmakers to vote against it.
Jon Ralston: "don't you think its government's responsibility to make sure insurance companies cover certain things? SharronAngle: "no, I don't think so."
ACCURATE
This clip accurately portrays Angle's position on insurance mandates. Angle goes on to explain she believes in a free market approach. Insurance companies ought to be able to offer basic coverage without mandates and their customers ought to be able to pick and choose what kind of additionalcoverage they want.
"Sharron Angle's against making insurance companies cover colon cancer tests, mammograms or anything else."
TRUE
A search of Angle's legislative record finds a 1999 co-sponsorship of a bill mandating coverage for mammograms for women of a certain age with risk factors,but beyond that she has a consistent record of opposing any health insurance mandates. In an interview with the Las Vegas Review Journal editorial staff, this July Angle is asked specifically about mandates for colon cancer tests and mammograms. She explains her opposition as "good health care cost reform" and reminds them that she sponsored legislation to do away with all health insurance mandates.
(Sharron Angle Interview with Las Vegas Review Journal: www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnHMDiUJ4bo)
"That's not just extreme. It's dangerous.
Ás always, that's your call.