By Mark Esposito, Weekend Contributor
Even as the GOP struggles to hold onto to its wacky Tea Party base and appease the country clubbers who finance the show, it finds it can unite on one thing: It Loves the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). That’s right, the party who issued dire warnings over death panels and runaway costs, and rationing, and lost jobs just heard from its grass-roots and … they LOVE it. According to the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that “aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable,” polling shows 74% of persons who had the guts to identify themselves as Republicans “said that they were very or somewhat satisfied with their new insurance plan.” And even more remarkably for that “sky-is-always-falling” crowd, they’re optimistic .. yes, optimistic, that “new health coverage will improve their ability to get the care they need.” What ? No waiting lines, no rationing of health care ? No shadowy board saying Grandma must die because she needs hormone replacement therapy?
What is this our conservative brethren cry? Well, it’s reality and everything Republican leaders hoped — for purely political reasons — it wouldn’t be. Like the number of uninsured dropping from 15.6% to 13.4% in just one quarter. This is “the lowest quarterly average recorded since Gallup and Healthways began tracking the percentage of uninsured Americans in 2008. ” Oh, then there’s the actual people who now can get the healthcare they need (and that most civilized nations regard as a civil right). Over fifteen million Americans have signed up for coverage by the end of the last enrollment period and about 8 million went through the exchange. A Kaiser Survey found that nearly 6 out of 10 of the 8 million who enrolled in the marketplace were previously uninsured. Maybe that will reduce the 25,000 American per year who, pre-ACA, were dying from little or no healthcare.
And what about the demographics of those recently insured? Those cut across all age groups except those 65+ due to their eligibility to Medicare.
Not seeing the doctor of their choice, I bet. Nope that canard has gone the way of the buggy whip too, according to the Washington Post. “Just about one in five of those with new coverage, though, said they tried to find a primary care doctor — but of those, 75 percent said their search was somewhat easy or very easy.” So 80% kept their doctor, and 75% said getting a new one –if they had to — was easy. That lying Obama saying that everyone will get to keep their doctor and plan. Throw him in jail for that whopper!
And lastly, what about that great Republican bugaboo. You know the one where we’ll all wait years for surgeries or even just to see a specialist under Obamacare? Well, the Commonwealth Fund says that 58% of those newly insured who needed to see specialists did so in two weeks. Two weeks? That’s how long it tales me to get a plumber out to my house!
So, with the dire predictions of the demise of healthcare system via the ACA effectively debunked what does it mean for the GOP’s singular wedge issue? Plan B: The President’s travel schedule? ( He won’t “visit the border,” you know) Well, maybe, but the bigger problem is the disconnect between GOP leadership and its apparently healthy and satisfied membership. Taking away the things that people like by their own government has never really been a winning political strategy. See, Prohibition, i.e. disaster.
Even more politically challenging is that independents love Obamacare more than Republicans. By a 85% to 15% gap, independent voters can’t get enough of quality affordable health care that, for the first time in a long time, actually costs less per month than their mortgage. Try that on for size GOP. Who’s left to vote? Undocumented workers? Oh, sorry, they can’t and well, a lot are Hispanic and … you know … you’re not doing so great on immigration reform. Next subject, please.
Already facing a demographic nightmare in 2016 when even more young people and minorities are expected to vote, the GOP presidential chances stand at a crossroads. Give up the best issue you thought you had: government “takeover” of the healthcare system or change? What would a savvy political party do? Well, change of course. For the GOP? Well, they do love a good collision course with reality sometimes.
Ok, all you political operatives in the making, what do you think:
Source: Commonwealth Fund and throughout.
~Mark Esposito, Weekend Contributor
By the way and for better or worse, the views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not necessarily those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays of art are solely the author’s decision and responsibility. No infringement of intellectual property rights is intended and will be remedied upon notice from the owner. Fair use is however asserted for such inclusions of quotes, excerpts, photos, art, and the like.
Annie:
I like that WW2 imagery but I see them more as a cargo cult. They always seem to misinterpret modern things.
Why did Republicans vote to delay a mandate that would be a disaster to their constituents?
On the one hand, it would harm their constituents if it is implemented, so many Republicans take the delay-or-repeal approach.
On the other hand, if the mandate hits, it will hurt everyone equally, instead of only punishing those who are on the individual market. (And it does indeed feel like a punishment.) It will unite all political parties and actually get the repeal done.
I vote for the latter . . .
Mespo, I keep hope alive that there are rational folks that recognize the fact that four different surveys all indicate that they have lost the Obamacare war. Yet they continue to fight, like those Japanese soldiers in WW2. Kind of sad really.
Again, I much prefer kids and animals, and they are inveterate butt sniffers.
Et tu, Mespo? Regarding farts. Whether it’s producing, smelling or lighting farts, I’ve got it covered. However, never trust a fart, it could be a shart. What can I say, I’m incurably scatological. Too many years in the dugout, the most “potty” place on the planet. Maturity is way overrated.
nick:
I agree with rafflaw and sm. Insulting Elaine, who is one of the nicest folks around, for no good reason is off the reservation. I may be Victorian in my attitudes but a man attacking a woman — even verbally — is bad form at best and bullying at worst. I admire your pluck; just aim the arrow elsewhere.
Sid, Let’s be careful!! The Sensitivity Police have beefed up security on this thread. They are charging minor, ticky tack violations as felony murder. These are angst ridden time for cultists. They are more humorless than ever.
Annie:
Stop with all those facts and studies. I hear neo-cons heads exploding all over town. Let’s get them to church where they can get some good learnin’ and some comfort from the cruel reality of the world.
nick:
That’s not what Time said. It said that the chemical in the gas produced in human digestion could help prevent cancer if introduced into the cell mitochondria. That’s a tad different than what you said. And why the potty mouth for no good reason? Save that for silly commenters.
http://www.politico.com/politicopulse/0714/politicopulse14605.html
Surveys showing that Obamacare is helping the uninsured. Commonwealth Fund, Gallup, Kaiser (Mespo cited) and the Urban institute.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/11/politics/republicans-obamacare-white-house-sue/
Why did House Republicans vote to delay the employer mandate?
This does indeed remind me of “Animal Farm.” “I will work harder,” said the horse, as more and more was piled on his shoulders.
The only ones making out like bandits in this economy are government workers, the “ruling elite.” I believe they were the pigs in Animal Farm. They got all the benefits while the private sector got all the hardships. Just like government unions.
rafflaw:
There is zero chance that anyone who experienced what I have with Obamacare would like it.
You can get any conclusion you want based on the study design.
People on the individual insurance market HATE Obamacare in droves. Because it increased premiums by double, increased deductibles to the unaffordable range, and most doctors in CA won’t accept it.
I know I went from paying a few hundred a month for my family to over $900, and my deductible went from $500 to $6,000/person. And I STILL have to pay out of pocket to see a doctor, because few will accept the plan because it doesn’t pay enough to keep the doors open.
But if you check people who have employer plans, before the mandate hits, you’ll find most pole are satisfied with their private insurance policy.
But I do hope that Democrats continue on this suicide path. Once the employer mandate hits, they won’t be able to win an election against a trained ferret.
This is kind of like Hillary Clinton doubling down on her “I was broke” rhetoric. Her plan works for me, and I hope she just keeps plowing ahead.
My only concern is that Obama illegally delayed the employer mandate from this supposedly wonderful law. If it’s so great, why not implement it? Oh, right, he delayed it until AFTER the 2016 election, so even Obama must realize there will be serious consequences.
But whether it’s 2016, or the next election, once Obamacare hits in full, Democrats won’t hold office anywhere.
So much potty talk. What’s with all this infantile obsession regarding bodily functions today? Sheesh, grow up.
Time magazine is reporting a study that indicates smelling farts may help prevent cancer. Smelling Orwell’s Pig Farm must be even more effective.
Bob, Esq.,
That was very well said. It’s too bad his standards aren’t required in his absence.
I’m selling crying towels and Prozac for all you sad and angry Dems.
Conservatives are “rude” and liberals are “spirited.” Do I have the template correct?
Is everyone done whining? You folks are as thin skinned as your cult leader, Obama. At least Hillary has elephant thick skin, and thighs as well.