Panelists answered the question: Do you support the Affordable Healthcare Act in light of the Supreme Court ruling that it is constitutional?
Steve Staloch: “Yes; however, it’s unlikely cost reductions will offset cost increases. The system we have today is a travesty: Personal income that would otherwise feed a starving economy is feeding the coffers of pharmaceuticals, providers and politicians who are provided Cadillac coverage unaffordable to the majority of constituents they represent. We’ve become immune to political collusion, but reasonable health care coverage for everyone is a significant moral issue that should be immune to politics as usual. This ruling affirms one of our nations’ most basic and compassionate core values.”
Louise Ledesma: “Yes, yes, yes. I especially like the part stressing free preventive care and having everyone required to purchase health insurance. It’s estimated that 50 million people in the U.S. do not have insurance. We are required to pay car insurance, why not medical? When you bring them into the medical pool, they would be more likely to see a doctor before their illness becomes major and they land in the emergency room or a long stay in the hospital. I also like the plan of setting up health insurances exchanges online so there will be competition to drive the cost down.”
Richard Place: “Let me see. The Court said it was a tax and Obama says it’s not. We have yet to hear from the IRS on how or what is a tax. This is all too taxing to answer.”
Jim West: “Yes, I’ve supported Obama’s Affordable Care Act from the beginning. Way back in the 1970s the issue of health-care reform was hotly debated at my college—and in the ensuing 40 years we’ve made zero progress in improve the delivery of health care in America. Is Obamacare perfect? No legislation ever is. Is it better than what we had? Absolutely. ”
Ruth Erickson: “Yes and no! Parts of the Affordable Health Care Act (“Obamacare”) are very beneficial, but there are too many unknowns, (not having read the 2,400-plus pages of the Act!). Chief Justice Roberts says it’s a tax but President Obama says it isn’t! It has been reported that it will be a tax on the middle class and that small businesses will be negatively impacted financially. Mitt Romney says he will repeal and replace the Act if he is elected president in November.”
