Obamacare… it’s a term that has seemed to have split America. Whilst many regard this as a ground-breaking change within the health care systems of America, others regard it as a negative term and point in US history that will define and ultimately degrade Obama’s achievements whilst in office. So what’s the truth behind this political hot potato? And, when all is said and done, is Obamacare good for Americans?
Defining ‘Obamacare’
Far from being an official policy, the term ‘Obamacare’ was very much made by the media as a pretty derisive term for what is officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This policy, which was signed into American law in 2010, implements various important factors that offered Americans new benefits, rights and protections in relation to healthcare provisions. This policy also ensured that there was a newly instated and federally regulated Health Insurance open enrolment. This policy then incorporated and improved Medicaid.
The Criticisms of Obamacare
Whilst the public opinion of Obamacare is that it is generally a positive policy, there was a relative wavering of support during the 2009 and 2010 televised election debates. That said, conservatives within America have always opposed it in relatively strong terms, with many criticising the shift towards the left (as was pre-empted, given that the conservatives naturally lean towards the right).
Specifically criticism of Obamacare has been most strongly demonstrated by the many state governors who have opposed the bill and refused, point blank, to instate it. This includes Florida Governor Rick Scott, who famously declared that following the Supreme Court ruling that “I will not implement this law. Florida will not implement Obamacare.”
Other Conservatives have voiced opposition due to the removal of public option, the taxes imposed upon Medical Device Makers and the controversial issues that surrounding the meeting between Republicans and Democrats whereby the Reform committee literally changed the locks to, as conservatives argue, remove Republicans from the debates.
The arguable benefits of Obamacare
Obamacare arguably presents many new rights to Americans and for those members of society who are poorest or otherwise most vulnerable, it has been seen by many to offer a much needed answer to the issues that surround a completely, or largely privatised healthcare system.
Specifically those who are supporters of Obamacare state that the benefits include:
– Newly instated Insurance marketplaces that will allow shoppers to fairly compare insurance policies that offer insurance coverage.
– A cost assistance package that is available to all.
– Medicare eligibility that has been expanded to all 26 states to 135% federal poverty level; this means, in figures that today there are millions more Americans that have access to health care.
– Large employers must now offer coverage to all full time workers by 2015/2016 (although critic’s argue that this has led to an increase in zero hour contracts and businesses who specifically manoeuvre the system by taking on more part time employees).
– Insurance companies are no longer able to remove their commitment to their policy holder through applications that had errors, or a change in health status.
In conclusion we must ask whether there is, or ever can be a definite answer as to whether Obamacare is good for Americans. This is then very much within a realm of politics, as many are, that are completely subjective and dependent upon a person’s own political viewpoint. Whilst many will declare Obamacare as a step in the right direction, with an ultimate aim of social health care that is accessible by all, others will regard it as a policy implemented without the consensus of America.
