Health Care Access
As our nation awaited the results of the President’s trademark legislation, protesters from every walk of life surrounded the Supreme Court building. Audience consists of people who advocates religious freedom, Medicare, anti-abortion, and those who are looking for accessible healthcare. Finally, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act emerged relatively unscathed with only one significant change—it was now a tax.
The excitement and energy exhibited by PPACA supporters were matched by the discontent exhibited by opponents upon learning the court’s decision.
Everyone wants to be healthy. These same people, however, cannot agree on how this should be achieved. Clearly healthcare in this country is broken and America is deeply divided on how to fix it. Yet the bridge between the two sides is agreement that something must be done.
Multiple national polls show a majority of Americans view PPACA unfavorably. Many feel the law will “do serious harm to American families” and is “a profound attack on our liberties.” U.S. business owners speak of passing on costs to employees, slashing work hours, or terminating jobs altogether. Opposition has also emerged outside of the U.S., with the Vatican openly opposing a portion of the law’s provisions. Catholic leaders objected to the “use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions” and the failure of the act to help “those most in need.” With all the bickering, though, both sides generally agree on one thing: America’s healthcare system is in crisis. Exploding costs are hindering patients’ abilities to afford medical treatment.
In 1980, healthcare expenditures were $256 billion, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In 2010, U.S. taxpayers paid nearly $2.6 trillion for healthcare services. This represents a tenfold increase in a single generation! A reported 60 percent of