It’s Decision Time For Health Care Reform
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) represents the most sweeping overhaul of the current health care system, and right now, it’s in the hands of the nation’s highest court.
This month, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a landmark decision on the constitutionality of the ACA . The act became law in 2010, but the most controversial aspect of the law—the individual mandate—doesn’t go into effect until January 2014. This mandate requires that almost all adult Americans purchase health insurance. For those who opt out of coverage, a financial penalty or tax would be imposed. (Today, an estimated 50 million Americans are uninsured.)
Also up for debate is the law’s requirement for states to comply with an expansion to Medicaid to cover more lower-income people without health insurance.
So basically, the justices are expected to rule on these two burning questions: Can the government make people buy health insurance? If not, should the entire law be nullified?
Supporters say millions of American are already benefitting from portions of the law, including:
• More than 5.1 million people with Medicare have saved more than $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011 alone.
• An estimated 2.5 million young adults have received coverage on their parents’ plans until age 26.
•An estimated 54 million with private insurance now have expanded coverage of preventative services.
Critics are skeptical of those numbers and say the negative consequences outweigh the positive ones. They also argue that the law forces new costs onto employers, which could cause many to stop providing insurance to workers. And they say that the mandate violates basic constitutional principles of individual freedom and limited government.
A final decision is expected to come from the Supreme Court around the end of June. Whatever the outcome, it will profoundly affect millions of Americans. Here at Sprig Health, we’re holding firm to our belief that everyone deserves access to affordable health care and doing our part to help make it happen. As this debate continues, we’ll be following it closely and encourage you to do the same.
How do you think the Supreme Court will rule—and how do you think it will impact you? We’d love to hear your comments below.
Reblogged this on 7 Great Choices and commented:
Sprig Health is one of the creative and excellent mechanisms for health care access if you have no insurance or need a provider that you can afford. I’m a fan and just found their blog. Enjoy this insightful article! RN Coach Lizzie
Thanks so much for your support, Lizzie! We’ve been working hard to make Sprig better than ever by adding new providers and services so everyone can get the care they need. We’re also putting together a program that will allow small employers to offer Sprig to their employees at a discounted rate. Keep following us for more news—we love having you along for the ride!
And I love following you here and on FB. Looking forward to being a provider with you soon!
I would like our constitution to be restored. This man in the white house has done everything he can to nullify and disgrace it. This bill goes directly against what our founders created and is not ok, for so many reasons.
I for one trust the Supreme Court will rule for the people. If they cowtow to this, we are all in much more serious trouble than just a health care bill.
While there are few who deny an overhaul to the economic side of medical care is sorely needed, Obamacare is NOT the answer. It denys individuals their liberty, right to choose or not to choose. I once was enamoured of the European Health care model, but no more. And the more I study about it, the more sure I am that Obamacare is a tremendous over reach of federal power. IF one bothers to read the Constitution and look at the powers granted the federal government by the founding fathers and writers of this document, nowhere does it give them any of the powers the feds have taken over the years. The federal governments major responsibility is to DEFEND her citizens (with the armed forces). That mandate does not include whether we eat sugar, exercise, smoke, drink, how we educate our kids, what kind of fuel we use, what kind of vehicle we drive, how much we should pay for fuel, own property, sell property, or even whether we call politicians names and demonstrate in public places. No, the present health care bill is an abomination against our constitutional right to liberty. Having it shoved down our throats by the likes of Pelosi and Reid with the President pushing hard from the rear w/o properly vetting it is the height of arrogance and worse abuse of power I’ve seen in 50 years. Before one votes in November, do some real study–from both sides–and look at facts that haven’t come straight out of either major political party. And remember, EVERYTHING that affects our decision should be based upon whether it’s in line with the Constitution as it was written and NOT on how someone today wishes it was written…Remember the opposite of liberty is tyranny…
@Elizabeth Bennett. Thanks for the shout out. Much appreciated. We read your blog and you have some great ideas about how to improve the system. Nurses are the base of the pyramid and we appreciate the work you all do.
@S Loire King and @Ann – Thanks for chiming in on this topic. At the heart of the debate is lowering health care costs. Have either of you seen any innovative ways people or organizations are bringing down health care costs?
I totally concur with the comments stated by S Loire King & Ann. I would also like to call attention specifically to one thing that has already been said, Obamacare is NOT the answer to bringing down health care costs!