No connection between submersible tragedy, health credit
The claim: Media used Titan submersible tragedy to ‘cover up’ a $1,300 monthly health credit
A July 2 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a video claiming that the media used the Titan submersible implosion to divert people’s attention from free health credits.
“Guys, the media was using the sub to cover up the real news,” a narrator says in the video. “I’m exposing what they’re trying to hide from you. Any low-income American, even if you’re unemployed, can claim a free $1,300 a month in health credits. This is a state-issued incentive that can be used to cover all your bills.”
The narrator goes on to claim that everyone is entitled to receive the credits and any person seeking to qualify “just can’t have Medicare or Medicaid.”
Similar versions of the health credit claim on Facebook used either a different script or different footage.
Follow us on Facebook!Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks
Our rating: False
The post attempts to connect the Titan submersible deaths to a health credit offer, but there’s no evidence of a link between the two or a “cover up,” and the post offers no proof of its claim. There is no such health credit. And the links in the post go to the American Medical Association’s website, not a sign-up for any credits.
No evidence of a $1,300 free health credit
The Titan submersible went missing shortly after it began its June 18 descent to view the sunken wreck of the Titanic. After an extensive search, debris from the submersible was found June 22. When pieces of the wreckage were brought to shore on June 28, officials recovered presumed human remains from those who died on board.
The post claims to link to information on health credits, but the links included in the post actually reroute to an American Medical Association webpage that describes the Affordable Care Act. There is no mention of a free $1,300 health credit on the page – just a button to sign up to become a member of the AMA.
In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to expand Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to make them more accessible for Americans. But USA TODAY reported in January 2023 that this does not mean Americans will receive free health insurance.
Fact check: False claim that Biden’s executive order gives Americans free health insurance
USA TODAY found no mention of a $1,300 health credit on any government sites or from other reputable sources.
A Health Insurance Marketplace fact sheet says uninsured Americans may be eligible for no- or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid or subsidized health insurance through the marketplace. This assistance from Marketplace can come in the form of premium tax credits that will help pay the cost of health insurance, but those incentives vary by income rather than being a set figure like $1,300.
The fact sheet said consumers can receive tax credits and cost reductions “depending on their household income.”
USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Our fact-check sources:
- American Medical Association, accessed July 7, 2023, Understanding the Affordable Care Act
- White House, Jan. 28, 2021, Executive Order 14009—Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act January 28, 2021
- Health Insurance Marketplace, accessed July 7, 2023, Health Coverage Options for the Uninsured
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.
Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/CS5KPIHRSZIU5B7L2OI2YOBITE.jpg)
