Health care law turns 2
Photo by tsuihin - TimoStudios via flickr
This entry was updated at 1:02 p.m.
This week my inbox has received numerous announcements from the Obama administration about how they say the health care overhaul law has helped Americans.
The public push to praise the law comes as Republican politicians have vowed to repeal the law. And opposition to the overhaul has been a major issue during the run-up to the November presidential election.
One administration news release touted the benefit of giving the government the authority to review insurance rate increases. A report released by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that since the program took effect last year health insurers have proposed fewer double-digit rate increases.
Another release said the law has allowed 2.5 million young adults to receive health insurance on their parent’s plan, and has saved 5.1 million people with Medicare an average of $635 on prescription drugs.
In a separate message, another provided data on a state level, proclaiming that “114,768 Medicare beneficiaries in Virginia saved a total of $73,459,857.67 on prescription drugs because of the new health care law.”
Today is the second anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. And on Monday the Supreme Court will begin to hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of a central aspect of the overhaul: the individual mandate.
The law remains contentious, with the latest poll from Kaiser Family Foundation indicating that 51 percent of all Americans think the Court should rule the mandate unconstitutional and 53 percent expect the justices to do so.
The administration hasn’t been alone in sending out statements about the law. Just this morning I’ve received emails from proponents and opponents, including a statement from Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt, who represents Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.
“The people of Central and Southside Virginia now face higher premiums and increased taxes at a time we can least afford it; mandates that challenge the very foundations of our democracy; and no greater access to the affordable, quality care that was promised when the law was enacted,” Hurt’s statement said in part.
What’s your take: is this a happy or unhappy birthday for the law?
March 23, 2012 - 10:50 AM
Repeal of the bill is non-sense. It requires a 3/4 majority vote in both the House and Senate. Not going to happen. I wish stupid republicans would stop playing games with this issue. If they have ideas to improve it, then bring them to the table. But, seriously, repeal is not an option and talking about it is a waste of time and energy.
Medicare for all!!
YES!
I do not agree with this law and think it needs to go. The government is overstepping their authority. The premiums my employer charges me for my insurace continue to increase each year so I’m not sure who they are helping by reviewing rate increases. This is not the solution to the high cost of healthcare and I’m neither stupid nor playing games, just expressing my opinion.