NRCC Launches Robo Calls Highlighting Ron Barber’s Statements in Support of Medicare Advantage Cuts

May 15, 2014

Barber Defended Obama’s Cuts in 2012 Campaign, Calling Them “Overpayments”

WASHINGTON – The National Republican Congressional Committee is launching automated calls to seniors in Southern Arizona today highlighting Congressman Ron Barber’s support for Medicare Advantage cuts under Obamacare.

“Congressman Barber was crystal clear during his 2012 campaign: He supported and defended President Obama’s cut to Medicare Advantage,” said NRCC National Press Secretary Daniel Scarpinato. “Barber may now want to deceive Southern Arizona seniors, but Republicans plan to hold him accountable for his remarks and his support for these harmful cuts under Obamacare. Seniors deserve to know the truth.”

In April, Barber’s office falsely claimed he “aggressively opposed proposed cuts in Medicare Advantage.” But the record tells a different story. At an Oct. 23, 2012 debate at the University of Arizona, Barber falsely and forcefully claimed the Obamacare “does not cut from Medicare at all.” Barber then went on to laud these cuts, calling them “overpayments” and criticizing Medicare Advantage as a program that spends too much. Barber went as far as to say that additional taxpayer dollars should NOT go to Medicare Advantage.

Listen to the call HERE

Script as follow:

“Hello, I’m calling from the National Republican Congressional Committee to alert you to our Congressman Ron Barber’s support for cutting our Medicare benefits. In 2012, Barber criticized Medicare Advantage as a program that spends too much, and Barber even praised Obamacare’s cuts to the program – saying that additional taxpayer dollars should not go to Medicare Advantage. Call Ron Barber today and tell him seniors can’t afford these cuts. This call was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and was not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. 202-479-7000.

Source: Ron Barber remarks, KUAT Candidate Debate, Oct. 23, 2012, University of Arizona https://www.azpm.org/p/yv2012-us/2012/10/23/17581-cd2-candidates-face-off/