PolitiFact's 2011 Lie of the Year: 'Mediscare'

This marks the third year in a row that a health care claim has won this title. This time around, the Democrats take the prize for their assertions that Republicans had advanced policies to "end Medicare."

Politico/PolitiFact: Dems' 'Mediscare' A Dubious Winner
Now, PolitiFact has chosen the Democrats' claim as the 2011 Lie of the Year. It's the third consecutive year that a health care claim has won the dubious honor. In 2009, the winner was the Republicans' charge that the Democrats' health care plan included "death panels." In 2010, it was that the plan was a "government takeover of health care." A complicated and wonky subject with life-or-death consequences, health care is fertile ground for falsehoods. The Democratic attack about "ending Medicare" was a pervasive line in 2011 that preyed on seniors' worries about whether they could afford health care (Drobnic Holan and Adair, 12/20).

Los Angeles Times: Is The 'Lie Of The Year' About Ending Medicare Actually True?
Apparently, politicians are prone to fibbing when they talk about health care. For the last three years, the "Lie of the Year" -; as determined by the fact-checking website PolitiFact -; has had something to do with the way Americans get their medical care (Kaplan, 12/20).

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: Debating The Truth Of 2011's 'Lie Of The Year'
Did Republicans vote to end Medicare? Not according to PolitiFact.com, which on Tuesday labeled the allegation by Democrats as the "Lie of the Year" (Adamy, 12/20).

The Hill: GOP Hits Dems Over Medicare 'Lie Of The Year'
Republican lawmakers rejoiced Tuesday after Democrats' line of attack against their Medicare overhaul was named the 2011 "Lie of the Year" by the fact-checking website PolitiFact. Democrats hope that accusing Republicans of voting to "end Medicare" will rile up seniors and help them in the 2012 elections. PolitiFact's decision further weakens that argument just days after Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) broke ranks and partnered with the author of the Republican overhaul, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). "That's a great talking point. I'm glad to hear that," said Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas). "We'll take a victory when we can get one" (Pecquet, 12/20).