The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” has been a controversial piece of legislation since its inception in 2010. Scholars and legislators on both sides of the argument have strong cases for either its positive or negative benefits. The primary points of the PPACA include the restructuring of the American health care system into one where insurance companies are held more accountable for their actions, and health care costs are reduced for the average individual. Since everyone is forced to get health insurance, steps are taken to make this process more affordable, including the allowance of coverage for preexisting conditions and the expansion of Medicare and Medicaid. The PPACA is currently passed and signed into law, integrating a wide variety of services over the next four years. By the time 2015 hits, the complete set of laws will be in effect (Rappaport, Wojcik and Baxter, 2011). While Eggen (2009) makes strong points in his opposition to Obamacare, it is Alonso-Zalvidar and Thomson (2010) who provide the strongest case in support of the public approval of the ACA.
The media depiction of the PPACA varies depending on political party; supporters of the bill state that it will make health care more affordable and allow those who need healthcare to have it; it prevents predatory insurance providers and a bloated healthcare system that costs an arm and a leg for the simplest procedure. In the case of Alonso-Zalvidar and Tompson’s article, public support for the measure was high in 2010 when it was passed; this is the article’s main point of support for the ACA. It also points out the sources of funding, and the specific mechanisms by which healthcare would be made more affordable.
Conservative media, however, decries the ACA as "socialism," and uses the term "Obamacare" as a pejorative. Eggen (2009) states that there has not been enough research done on the ramifications of this services. Eggen cites conservative officials who believe that health care should be privatized, and that the government should not be given that much control over the health of their citizens. Eggen’s claim that the government is trying to create "socialized healthcare" is spurious and reactive, especially considering the fact that the PPACA is creating a free market solution by mandating a larger client base; the media's mischaracterization of the bill causes a great deal of miscommunication. To that end, Eggen’s arguments are somewhat weak compared to Alonso-Zalvidar and Thomson.
In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act is successfully defended by Alonso-Zalvidar and Thomson in their article, as opposed to Eggen’s counterarguments. Ideally, both liberals and conservatives should like it, because it creates a free market solution to a pervasive social problem. More people will be able to get the health care they need, and insurance companies will benefit from more overall customers, and a consumer base that is actually mandated to buy from them. The background information supports these assertions, and debunks Eggen’s fears that it will be more expensive and authoritarian. As it stands now, many Americans simply wait until something goes wrong to get treatment, and then it may be too late (or far too expensive to afford). At the same time, that will lower the demand for high-cost and complex medical procedures and equipment, as prevention will lower instances of emergency surgery and operations. With the PPACA, more Americans will be encouraged to maintain good health habits and take care of themselves, leading to a happier and healthier American public.
References
Alonso-Zalvidar, R., & Thompson, T. (2010, June 17). Health Care Reform: Support For New Law Hits Record High (POLL). The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/17/health-care-reform-suppor_n_615590.html
Eggen, D. (2009, May 11). Former Hospital CEO Rick Scott Leads Opposition to Obama on Health Care - washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051002243.html
Rappaport, A. M., Wojcik, S., & Baxter, M. (2011). The Impact of Health Care Reform on Older Workers, Retirees and Employers. Benefits Quarterly, 27(1), 26-33. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
