Numerous opinion polls have concluded that a majority of Americans don’t support Obamacare based on what they have heard about it. Of course, a majority of Americans are covered by either group health plans or Medicare and could really care less about learning the specifics of the Affordable Care Act. I dare say that if you polled people on select, specific elements of the ACA, you’ll find a majority of Americans approve of Obamacare.
You might be a supporter of Obamacare if…
Tweets I sent out from my handle @insuremekevin
- If you think children should have access to vision care for early detection of eye problems, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support all health plans covering prescription medications, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you are tired of the deceptive marketing practices of health insurance companies and plan names, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you are for clear and simple to read health insurance summaries of benefits, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think families not in group health plans should get the same benefits, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think men and women should be charged the same rate for health insurance, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support seniors not being gouged for prescription medications, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think insurance companies should pay you when they charge too much for your health insurance, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think insurance companies should be made to spend at least 80% of their premium revenue on your health care, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think paying for health care shouldn’t drive families into bankruptcy, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think too many uninsured people use the E.R. for primary care, you support #Obamacare
- If you think family friendly health insurance should maternity, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support good prenatal care for healthier babies, you support #Obamacare
- If you want to help homeless people help themselves starting with quality health care to get them healthy, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you want to reduce the incidence of colon cancer with early detection, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you believe all women should get no cost mammography after 40 to detect breast cancer early, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support affordable health insurance for low and moderate families, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think Americans should have greater access to substance abuse and addiction treatment, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think children should have access to good dental treatment early in life, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think people should have access to quality mental health help to reduce violence, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you want or see unwanted pregnancies reduced with no cost contraception, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think your neighbor should have access to health insurance as good as your group plan, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think no one should be denied health insurance because they and cancer, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you think private companies should take the risk to insure people’s health and not the government, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support no cost preventive office visits to detect cancers early, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support young adults being able to stay on parents health plan until 26, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support private health insurance offered in public markets, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you support no rate increases for pre-existing conditions, you’re for #Obamacare
- If you’re for guarantee issue health insurance, you’re for #Obamacare
Even the Obamacare haters that I’ve talked to support these provisions within the ACA. I wish we didn’t have to have the individual mandate or raise taxes to generate revenue to make health insurance affordable for low and moderate income households.
Not a government take over of health care
Obamacare is not a take over of the health insurance or health care market place. On the health insurance side, Obamacare is subsidizing health insurance companies to provide their products to Americans who otherwise may not be able to afford the health plan. Private and nonprofit health plans are the ones taking the risks with insurance, not the government. Unfortunately, those elements are part of the legislation. Perhaps in the future we can reduce those burdens if the law is really successful in driving down health care costs.
Health insurance companies want Obamacare
Who isn’t complaining about Obamacare? The health insurance companies aren’t complaining. They stand to make millions of dollars from the subsidized insurance premiums. Unlike parts of Medicare and the Part D Prescription Drug program which are unfunded mandates, Obamacare creates tax revenue to cover specific costs of the ACA.
Education is half the battle
Obamacare is big and complicated. There will be some unintended consequences that will have to be addressed with new legislation. But if you can agree with any of the statements above, you are most likely an Obamacare supporter.