03-15-2014, 10:04 AM
I have to say, Art, while I understand that ACA is far from perfect (which healthcare system is?), and that there are losers from the law (as there are losers from any insurance. Fire insurance is basically redistribute funds from those not suffering fires to those that do, etc.)
But I'm still as baffled by the sheer volume of hostility it receives, given that:
- It's a conservative idea (from Heritage, no less)
- It's been implemented relatively successfully by a former conservative presidential candidate in Massachusetts
- It isn't socialist medicine (both hospitals and insurance companies are private)
- The status quo is clearly VERY suboptimal (much more expensive than anywhere else whilst leaving tens of millions uninsured)
- There is a wealth of evidence that quite a few other countries are doing substantially better whilst being cheaper at the same time.
I'm sure I could make this list a lot longer if I thought about it for 5 more minutes but it's really depressing. US politics has become so tribal that it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction.
But I'm still as baffled by the sheer volume of hostility it receives, given that:
- It's a conservative idea (from Heritage, no less)
- It's been implemented relatively successfully by a former conservative presidential candidate in Massachusetts
- It isn't socialist medicine (both hospitals and insurance companies are private)
- The status quo is clearly VERY suboptimal (much more expensive than anywhere else whilst leaving tens of millions uninsured)
- There is a wealth of evidence that quite a few other countries are doing substantially better whilst being cheaper at the same time.
I'm sure I could make this list a lot longer if I thought about it for 5 more minutes but it's really depressing. US politics has become so tribal that it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction.