St. Joseph News-Press, Mo., Ken Newton column [St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.]
By Ken Newton, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Discontent boiled up in community rooms across the nation. And the hand-lettered sign industry flourished, one placard summing up many: "Your Health Care Plan is Making Me Sick."
So it went in
Fever only began to describe the mood at some of these meetings.
A video still available online shows a town hall meeting in
"This is more about taking power and control than it is about health care," the man roared. "It's only the first step to socialism."
Seven months later, the health care reforms that touched off all the yelling got signed into law. One might think the enactment of a law would take the steam out of opposition to it.
Instead, it only amplified the hollering.
The origins of this argument feel like they might have been in the Paleozoic Era. The drumbeat has become part of political rhythms for that long.
One fault resides with the law itself, a supremely thick, overly complicated measure with an implementation period that ran longer than a Kenyan marathoner. It almost invited a stretched-out debate.
Some parts of the Affordable Care Act kicked in right away. It allowed young people to stay on their parents' health plans longer. It provided some protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
In the meantime, the
Today, a key provision goes into effect. The marketplace for health insurance options opens, and millions of uninsured Americans can begin shopping for a market-based policy that suits them. The health coverage starts on
Is this the ideal way for the world's richest nation to assure the medical well-being of its population?
Know this: The federal government could mess up the workings of a soda straw.
Despite years of lead time, the workings of the health care law seem frighteningly half-ready. Word of
But also know this: Many of the lawmakers railing against ObamaCare sat in
They did nothing to address the problem. Yet they ask now for trust to "repeal and replace" a reform law already on the books.
History waits to decide whether ObamaCare stands as an expensive flop or a program worthy of a great country.
But as Americans watch the circus in
Sunday. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPNewton.
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