It’s becoming clear that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, is not what was advertised or hoped for. Why should we be surprised? It violates what is required, in all cases, the constituents of a successful, basic health-care system. To wit, it is not a single payer system; it is operated by private corporations without adequate government oversight and control.
Two very successful health-care systems that work — please forget all the propaganda — are those of Canada and Great Britain, though different in organization. The Canadian system is a public system, and despite bogus claims implying otherwise, delivers health care as good and at lower cost than the USA. The British system is a private one, though operated under strict governmental control, and it, too, delivers health care at lower cost as good as or better than that here in the USA. Both are single-payer systems.
Truly affordable care will never be available here as long as it is supplied by profit-making corporations with shareholders to satisfy; that is why all Americans, regardless of gender or age, must purchase maternity care. Much like buying an extended warranty on a consumer product, it is strictly a moneymaker to offset corporate losses. Basic health care, in my opinion, should be supplied as part of Medicare; Medicare is nonprofit, single-payer, has no shareholders to pacify, and has perhaps the lowest administration costs around. If you want something better and can afford it, then you would optionally be able to purchase an “upgrade” at your own expense.
David Martson
Marysville
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