When asked their opinion of Obamacare, most Americans tend to say they oppose it – likely due to Republican candidates’ constant mentions and distaste for government involvement in health care provision.
Many are dismayed at the Affordable Care Act’s mandate requiring people to carry health insurance or pay a fine, as it feels intrusive and restrictive.
It’s too expensive
People typically understand “Obamacare” to refer to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA is a comprehensive healthcare law which has altered many aspects of American medicine.
However, the Affordable Care Act is not inherently negative; rather it has made healthcare more accessible by creating a marketplace for individual insurance plans and mandating that insurers cover preexisting conditions as part of its mandates – two benefits of the ACA that cannot be overstated.
Despite these positive attributes, the Affordable Care Act has become a political football for both parties. Republicans hold it in contempt due to ideological and economic considerations; moreover, certain groups receive subsidies through this program that helps reduce premium costs.
The Affordable Care Act has also implemented taxes on pharmaceutical and medical device sales as well as those with higher incomes, with some economists believing these changes will eventually help reduce deficits while having a net positive effect on the economy. Unfortunately, though, for many this does not offset its costly nature.
It’s too complicated
The Affordable Care Act is an intricate piece of legislation, even those who support it may struggle to fully comprehend all its provisions and how they interact. That may explain why so many people dislike Obamacare.
One reason Republicans oppose the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is its shifting balance of power between government and the private sector in a manner they find distasteful, such as intrusion into patient health care by government that threatens autonomy between patients and doctors.
Furthermore, they object to the mandate requiring Americans to secure health coverage or pay a penalty. Furthermore, they find offensive President Obama’s promise that “If you like your doctor and health plan, you can keep it”; Politifact named that statement the LIE OF THE YEAR for 2013. According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), health insurance premiums will increase this year; however federal subsidies provide significant relief against such increases for most individuals.
It’s too centralized
People who dislike Obamacare typically mean they dislike its centralization of health care decisions too much, preferring that government be involved with decisions than cedeing so much power to just a few companies.
Even with its many flaws, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped provide Americans with improved access to health care, decreasing uninsured rates in America. Yet this law remains unpopular; people lack understanding as they feel misinformed on what it does or how it operates.
However, many feel the ACA is an enormous waste of money as its implementation has led to higher taxes for medical devices and pharmaceuticals as well as increased tax rates for the wealthy. These taxes go towards funding its implementation.
It’s too partisan
People dislike Obamacare because it feels like an intrusion into their personal lives. No one wants the government to dictate how much money should go toward paying for knee replacement or cardiac care services, nor like that Obamacare raises their insurance premiums to cover subsidies that help offset its costs.
Some individuals dislike that the law forces them to purchase health insurance through a public exchange – or that their state marketplace is being managed by the federal government – and also dislike that penalties have been implemented under ACA for people without coverage even when these fines may cost less than one co-pay payment.
Supporters of the Affordable Care Act, particularly those living with preexisting conditions, are closely following this week’s Supreme Court hearing for fear that justices may rule to overturn vital protections that protect all of us – and believe this would cause health costs to skyrocket for everyone.
