via LA Times
I think my old Pol-Sci professor at UC Irvine must be overwhelmed with glee over this development. I could see him now trying to analyze how in the hell this got passed.
President Obama, his staff, and Speaker Pelosi were scrambling for votes as late as yesterday afternoon from a batch of socially conservative Democrats who were concerned that the package would allow federal funds to be used for abortions. Obama was able to compromise with them by issuing an exectuve order saying this would not be allowed. I wonder though, what other promises Obama and Pelosi promised them in exchange for their votes (and not just them, but other Democrats who are from conservative areas)? I believe Obama made over 90 phone calls to members of Congress trying to persuade them over this issue. I would guess that the districts these representatives represent are also somewhat conservative, so they probably have some angry constituents at home they're going to have appease if they are running for an additional term. You know there must have been some backdoor deals because you know how politics works; you don't get something for nothing.
As purely an analyst of this bill's passage, I have to give major props to Obama and Pelosi for being able to pull this off. Only two months ago, Obama barely mentioned health care in his state of the union address. This probably stemmed from Soctt Brown's surprising victory in Massachusetts and the uproar that had been brewing for months all across America (remember those heated town hall meetings last year?!) about this overhaul. To be able to overcome all that, and pass this major legislation is incredible--- and after only less than 2 years in office! It also probably helped that the Democrats have a majority in both houses.
There has been some argument as to whether this bill isn't what Obama ran on and that this bill should be repealed due to the deep divisions it has created. I don't agree with this asessment. Even if healthcare wasn't a major part of Obama's campaign, you must have known the progressive agenda he was probably going to put into place. He did run a 'change' campaign. Obama also won the popular and electoral votes by an overwhelming majority. If you voted for Obama, this is a part of what you were going to get. I think the majority of the people who are upset by this bill are people who didn't vote for Obama- the Republicans, who have always been against the government taking on more responsibility than it needs to. Obama won the independent vote, and obviously the Democratic vote.
The only sad part of this bill is how partisan this issue has become. Not one Republican voted for this package- not even any of the ones who were considering it. This shows the major divide occuring in our country. I think a lot of the anger towards this issue, stems from the Republicans utter dislike of Obama. It's not just about universal healthcare.
I'm pleased with a lot of what this bill is supposed to accomplish.
From the White House:
- It expands health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans, guaranteeing that 95% of Americans will be covered.
- It makes health insurance affordable for middle class and small businesses -- including the largest middle class tax cuts for health care in history -- reducing premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
- It strengthens consumer protections and reins in insurance company abuses.
- It gives millions of Americans the same types of private insurance choices that members of Congress will have -- through a new competitive health insurance market that keeps costs down.
- It holds insurance companies accountable to keep premiums down and prevent denials of care and coverage, including for pre-existing conditions.
- It improves Medicare benefits with lower prescription drug costs for those in the ‘donut hole,' better chronic care, free preventive care, and nearly a decade more of solvency for Medicare.
- It reduces the deficit by more than $100 billion over next ten years, and by more than one trillion dollars over the following decade; reining waste, fraud and abuse; overpayments to insurance companies and by paying for quality over quantity of care.
The only thing I'm really concerned about is how much is thing going to cost us all. I know they say they're going to use the "new 3.8% tax on investment income for individuals earning more than $200,000 and couples earning more than $250,000. In 2018, people with high-end "Cadillac" health plans would be subject to a new tax on their benefits", but is that really going to sustain this entitlement for all time. There will probably be new taxes that will trickle down into the middle-class in the years to come. This solution again begs the question- should the rich pay a little more for something that probably don't need because they already have a wonderful health plan- they in a sense are paying for the poor's healthcare?
Some other things that are questionable about this move- a move that is steering us in the direction of universal healthcare- how is this going to affect the quality of our healthcare? Are we no longer going to be the most advanced country in terms of medical technology/medecine/treatments? Are there going to be lines to see doctors, as there are in countries with universal healthcare? Time will tell.
Overall, I'm glad about the passage of this bill. 32 million more people will have access to healthcare. More lives will be saved. People won't have to worry about paying to receive treatment. People will now be required to have healthcare. They may have to purchase it, but it will be more affordable.
Hillary must be jealous... haha jk!
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