Regarding the political cartoon about the death of Obamacare: After the death of Ted Kennedy (a great advocate for universal health care) in August 2009, the best President Obama could get through Congress was an insurance-controlled health-care system without a public option. It did broaden coverage, stopped insurance dropping those with pre-existing conditions, encouraged parity for mental health, allowed parental coverage to 26 and other benefits.
But in addition to the 50-plus attempts to repeal, Congress has also blocked any even minor correction that would have improved the Affordable Care Act. Many Republican-governed states still have not accepted the ACA, to the detriment of their citizens. Despite all the congressional obstacles, in 2014, health-care spending grew at the slowest rate on record (since 1960). Meanwhile, health-care price inflation is at its lowest rate in 50 years.
Hans Dankers, M.D.
Monroe
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