Joseph Rugg's Health Law Blog

Reuters ran an article on November 2, 2012, “In the Badger State, divided over and baffled by Obamacare.”  In Beloit, Wisconsin, the focus of the article, the article’s author writes “Whether the sweeping 2010 law is fully implemented, as President Barack Obama intends, or repealed, as GOP nominee Mitt Romney pledges, no policy difference in next week’s election is likely to affect more Americans in their daily lives.”   Unfortunately, as she goes on to say, there remains great ignorance and confusion about what Obamacare does and the benefits and savings it has already brought to people, even though many of Obamacare’s most significant programs do not go into effect until 2014.

I have struggled for a long time to try to figure out what it is about Obamacare that has resulted in such irrationally negative reactions to it.

Finally, I think I understand.

Two things – First, I believe that many have been convinced in the obfuscation and deliberate misinformation of the political campaigns that the current problems many face in their healthcare coverage  and benefits has been caused by Obamacare, rather than understanding that Obamacare is part of the solution to making sure that all Americans will have access to meaningful healthcare insurance.  Second, many employers have threatened to terminate their employee coverage because of the so-called additional burdens placed on them by Obamacare.  Yet, that type of decision is also based on ignorance and misinformation.

An informed and spirited debate on how best to take care of sick Americans, to promote healthier Americans, and to improve healthcare for everyone is what is needed.  If we cannot get our political leaders to discuss these issues in a meaningful way during an election, it seems doubtful that such a discussion will ever occur.