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John Carter’s claim about board intruding between doctors and patients

By W. Gardner Selby
August 22, 2012

At the end of July, U.S. Rep. John Carter of Texas sent constituents a letter vowing to repeal the 2010 health care overhaul that many call Obamacare.

We know about his July 31 letter because several recipients sent us copies, wondering if Carter accurately characterized the law.

We later rated False one claim in the Round Rock Republican’s letter.

Carter wrote: “You may not be aware of one of the most frightening provisions in the president’s healthcare plan — the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board.”
   
His letter continues: “This board, comprised of 15 unelected, unaccountable people hand-picked by the president, will have the ability to come between you and your doctor in determining the best treatment options for you!”

Not so, we concluded after reading the relevant portion of the law. See our full review to the right.

Our check of Carter’s statement landed up alongside dozens of other PolitiFact checks of health care claims, posted here.

We appreciate it when readers bring curious statements to our attention. Write us at politifact@statesman.com or call 512-445-3644.

Our Sources

See Truth-O-Meter article.

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