‘Affordable Care Act’ not common sense

It might be time for some honest conversation regarding healthcare in this country.

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We had some problems with our healthcare system prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act. The problems were not in the delivery of healthcare, they were in the cost. Factors like drug company lobbies, the cost of malpractice insurance, Medicare fraud and abuse, and the number of uninsured all contributed to a less-than-perfect system. All of the factors could have been addressed with some common sense steps. Outlaw lobbying, allow more competition for insurance, tighten up Medicare oversight and support initiatives to bring clinics to communities and support Health Departments. Most importantly, run pilot programs to evaluate what works and what doesn't. But for some inexplicable reason, the President has hooked his wagon to the passage of a piece of legislation that meets none of the usual criteria for popular laws. It was passed with the slimmest of margins and with no transparency for the public. Many of the talking points of the sales pitch have proven to be wrong. The cost to individuals and to the government continues to climb well beyond the original quote. The roll out has suffered numerous glitches and low public interest. Most importantly, in 3 years, the approval for the law has not increased and labor unions as well as many large companies are receiving temporary (at least so far) reprieves from complying. It is past time for all involved to admit that this was too much, too soon, at too much expense and is wasting valuable political cachet. Fixing a problem is the government job. Creating problems is not. Wayne A. White

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