05-02-2013, 10:50 AM
Ms Edisen,
I have not thoroughly read the complete post, but the Affordable Care Act is set to be in place by 2014, I believe. The legislation had only the first 2 years of President Obama's first term to get passed into law. That includes the need for 60 votes in the U S Senate to bypass filibuster and bring the bill up for vote. As I am sure you know, the law would not have cleared the House of Representatives after the new Congress took office in January, 2011. But, I watched the U S Senate Committee hearings that had endless discussion and countless amendments in each committee before passing out of each committee. I believe there were amendments that were offered and approved, but the Senator offering the amendment then voted against the bill in committee. But after a struggle, the bill came to the floor and with 58 Democrats and 2 Independents to reach 60 votes, the bill was allowed to become law. Yes, it is imperfect, but unless someone is faced with the need to purchase individual health insurance, they really do not understand the problem with the current system. Medicare for all would be my preference, but it was not an option in 2009-2010. As it is, the tax payers subsidize healthcare premiums for those that have it. And, some of those taxpayers have no insurance. But, mainly, the ACA was the only available choice at the time, and "starting over" was not an option at all. It is my hope, a single payer system will replace what is available now and in 2014, but that itself will be a struggle.
pinwheels:
I have not thoroughly read the complete post, but the Affordable Care Act is set to be in place by 2014, I believe. The legislation had only the first 2 years of President Obama's first term to get passed into law. That includes the need for 60 votes in the U S Senate to bypass filibuster and bring the bill up for vote. As I am sure you know, the law would not have cleared the House of Representatives after the new Congress took office in January, 2011. But, I watched the U S Senate Committee hearings that had endless discussion and countless amendments in each committee before passing out of each committee. I believe there were amendments that were offered and approved, but the Senator offering the amendment then voted against the bill in committee. But after a struggle, the bill came to the floor and with 58 Democrats and 2 Independents to reach 60 votes, the bill was allowed to become law. Yes, it is imperfect, but unless someone is faced with the need to purchase individual health insurance, they really do not understand the problem with the current system. Medicare for all would be my preference, but it was not an option in 2009-2010. As it is, the tax payers subsidize healthcare premiums for those that have it. And, some of those taxpayers have no insurance. But, mainly, the ACA was the only available choice at the time, and "starting over" was not an option at all. It is my hope, a single payer system will replace what is available now and in 2014, but that itself will be a struggle.
pinwheels:
Larry
StudentofAssassinationResearch