After Mocking 'Bizarre' Ted Cruz, ABC Finds a Man Who Will Lose Coverage Because of ObamaCare

ABC on Wednesday morning dismissed Ted Cruz as "bizarre." But that night on the network's World News, reporter Jeff Zeleny  featured a man who will lose his health coverage because of ObamaCare. In a noticeable break from Good Morning America's coverage, Zeleny also allowed, "The bottom line for millions: many young and healthy will likely pay more while older and sick Americans get a break and costs vary widely."

On GMA, Zeleny skipped the substance of Cruz's complaints against the health care law. On World News, the journalist conceded, "[Cruz] told story after story how families are bracing for ObamaCare." Zeleny highlighted, "In Pittsburgh, Dan Howard received a letter saying his policy will be cancelled because of the new law. Married with six children, he's struggling to find coverage."

The reporter balanced this out with a pro-ObamaCare example: "But in Miami, Maggie Fernandez told us she's been cutting her high blood pressure pills in half, waiting to buy insurance since losing her job earlier this year."

However, Zeleny's Wednesday night story at least acknowledged the complaints against ObamaCare and the substance of Cruz's arguments. That is an improvement over Good Morning America.

[Thanks to MRC intern Paul Bremmer for the transcript.]

A transcript of the September 25 segment is below:

6:35:20

DIANE SAWYER: And now back here at home, the ongoing drama surrounding the major change in America's health care system coming. ObamaCare taking effect on October 1st, but in a last-ditch stand against it, one senator has performed his own endurance test. ABC senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny.

TED CRUZ: I told the American people that I intended to stand until I can stand no more.

JEFF ZELENY: So Ted Cruz stood fast for 21 hours, 19 minutes, a symbolic fight against a health care law. After reading a bedtime story via C-SPAN to his two daughters in Texas...

CRUZ: Do you like green eggs and ham?

ZELENY: --he told story after story how families are bracing for ObamaCare. But far from the spectacle in the Capitol, American families are preparing for ObamaCare. Enrollment starts next week. In Pittsburgh, Dan Howard received a letter saying his policy will be cancelled because of the new law. Married with six children, he's struggling to find coverage.

DAN HOWARD: Of course I'm concerned.

ZELENY: But in Miami, Maggie Fernandez told us she's been cutting her high blood pressure pills in half, waiting to buy insurance since losing her job earlier this year.

MAGGIE FERNANDEZ: I need affordable health care. I'm looking forward to signing up on October 1.

ZELENY: The bottom line for millions: many young and healthy will likely pay more while older and sick Americans get a break and costs vary widely. A family of four making $50,000 will pay $600 a month in some states, far more in others. And some Republicans keep pushing to defund ObamaCare, a threat that could still shut down the government next week. We caught up with Senator Cruz moments after he finished speaking to ask what he accomplished.

CRUZ: This was all about elevating the debate in the public, giving the American people a chance to speak.

ZELENY: Jeff Zeleny, ABC News, Capitol Hill.