The Drive To Dismantle ‘Obamacare’

Writing on Inauguration Day, I find it difficult to divert my attention from what is starting and all that is ending, or at risk of it. Since it’s generally ill advised to write about one thing while thinking about another, I feel compelled to choose a topic in that domain. The assault on the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” is the obvious choice. The one problem for me and you alike in this area is the volume of ink (or number of electrons) already directed at it. Are there novel things left to say? I believe there are, and surprisingly perhaps, at a very fundamental level. The contingent particulars ― the number of lives affected, the dollars in play ― have certainly had ample attention. It’s the first principle issue that has received the least. Namely: is it at all true that some version of “American values” and our free-market inclinations in any way justify the Republican opposition to the ACA?  The answer is a surprisingly easy and obvious “no,” and there’s a good chance the decisive evidence of that is no further away than your garage. The evidence is your car. Most of us drive. To do so on public roads requires that we have auto insurance. It’s not optional. If you drive on public roads without auto insurance, you face fines and penalties, and the potential loss of your license. Auto insurance is mandated by every state government. Where&rsq...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news