Issues Under Fire: 2017 Election Results Reveal Death of Obama-Care Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Issues Under Fire: 2017 Election Results Reveal Death of Obama-Care Has Been Greatly Exaggerated 

No matter how hard "45" and the GOP have tried to kill the very idea of Obama-Care, it still lives on in the hearts and minds of most Americans. That fact has been confirmed not only by the record number of those signing up during open enrollment, but it also got a boost in the state of Maine, as voters there voted overwhelmingly to expand Medicaid. Yes, despite cutting deadlines and budgets, coupled with an unprecedented misinformation campaign to confuse and confound the general public, the will of the people still found a way to see through the bullshit and keep fighting for the right of every American to have healthcare.

The lies and relentless demonization of the Affordable Care Act is beginning to fall on deaf ears. People get it. Even people in Red states get it now. They've heard all the arguments against Obama-Care or God forbid, expanding Medicare for all. It's nothing more than socialized medicine, they said. They painted pictures of longer waits for appointments, crowded waiting rooms and receiving lower quality care from over worked and under staffed medical providers. The gullible were made to think American healthcare would sink to the level only found in third world nations. And BTW, this would of course cost infinitely more. 

Unfortunately for "45" and the GOP, their lies couldn't be sustained in the absence of a viable alternative. One scheme after another was easily shot down by those who'd come to understand the concept of Essential Benefits. You know, stuff like Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care); Emergency services; Hospitalization (inpatient care); Maternity and newborn care; Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; Prescription drugs; Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; Laboratory services; Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management and Pediatric services, including oral and vision care. And with a little tinkering, it could've been improved so everyone could've afforded the plan equally. But, that was never meant to be.

Sadly, what Americans have come to appreciate about the Affordable Care Act, was always meant to die a horrible death in its crib. Special interest wanted Obama-Care dead on arrival. The trillions to be made soaking Americans out of every disposable dime they had to pay for what other nations were providing at more than half the cost was irresistible. Wedded to the free market system, Americans found themselves paying what the free market demanded and the free market always demanded more to be paid. With costs spiraling out of control and eventually out of reach for most healthcare consumers, the GOP found themselves in an untenable position. 

The GOP had to find a way to repeal and replace Obama-Care with something better for less. They'd been promising this for almost eight years. And even though we all know that's impossible now, the lies will continue. And we now understand why that'll happen, too. It's because the only way to cut taxes for the wealthy, is to cut funding for healthcare. The easiest way to do that is to defund Medicaid for the poor. Since most poor people on average can't afford to donate enough money to participate in the political process in any meaningful way, the rationale is, few will care or even listen to their concerns. Unfortunately, the problem with that strategy is although more and more Americans are living at or below the poverty line, they can still be convinced to vote.

Bottom line: After analyzing the 2017 elections results, we believe the nation has made significant progress it its understanding of what the GOP will and will not deliver. We also believe, more Americans are understanding the GOP's true motives and real agenda. A mere cursory examination of the GOP's  budget, tax cuts/reforms and healthcare proposals to date, will clearly reveal they do not have the people's best interest at heart. If the Democrats play their cards right, 2018 could be a blood bath for the Republican Party. Podcast below.