Should We All Be Supporting The Affordable Care Act?



Should We All Be Supporting The Affordable Care Act?

Yes

Far too many people, many of them white men, are losing healthcare insurance as they lose their manufacturing jobs. This is commerce by most real world definitions. The market is the driver of healthcare affordability. People of color are worse off because of higher rates of uninsurance, despite employment, and because they have fewer places or farther to go to get care. Almost a third of Latinos and 20% of African Americans and 16% of white people lack a usual source of health. (Donough 2011)

The Affordable Care Act's contribution to longer and healthier lives is being overshadowed by the individual mandate question. Ironically, the States that are fighting to kill this life-saving legislation have the most reason to support it. Texas and Louisiana, for example, have 24% and 20% uninsurance rates, respectively. And as states with large numbers of people of color, huge constituencies would benefit from the Act. Based on our own research at the Center for Social Inclusion, in Louisiana, 17 parishes with a significant adult population of color could see a possible increase of 43% to 69% in Medicaid enrollment.. (Ambinder 2010)

All Americans will have the security of knowing that they don't have to worry about losing coverage if they're laid off or change jobs.  And insurance companies now have to cover your preventive care like mammograms and other cancer screenings.  (Trumbull 2010) The new law also makes a significant investment in State and community-based efforts that promote public health, prevent disease and protect against public health emergencies. 

No

Government is already heavily involved in health care, through Medicare, Medicaid, VA, CHIPs, and other programs. Focus of this act is federal government role as financier of health care options. No public option ...