Leaders do tough things. They make tough decisions. And sometimes they compromise. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act is just such a device. It’s the president’s signature piece of legislation we’ve come to embrace as Obamacare.
By anyone’s admission it’s not a perfect bill, but it goes a long way to getting us down the road to a health care system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.
However, listen to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and all you’ll hear is what a complete disaster Obamacare is. You won’t hear how the bill is even partially beneficial or moves the country in the right direction.
In fact, the bill has helped millions of people get coverage, and ended insurance company practices that have placed many Americans in dire straights.
On Trump’s own website he says this about the Affordable Care Act:
“Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare.
This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices.
Obamacare has raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country.
As it appears Obamacare is certain to collapse of its own weight, the damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next President and a Republican congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry.
But none of these positive reforms can be accomplished without Obamacare repeal. On day one of the Trump Administration, we will ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.”
It’s too bad Trump has such venom toward President Obama and shortsightedness with regard to long term healthcare planning.
It would take only a bit of negotiation to come to some kind of compromise on the bill. Obama’s original package drew heavily on proposals from both conservatives and liberals. Conservatives can’t complain too much as there is much in the Affordable Care Act they suggested.
However, neither Trump or the party he represents has shown much desire for compromise, especially on a bill like this.
Although, Trump accuses Obama of being a divisive president, it is Trump who has truly shown immovability. This is not the quality needed in a president who can get things done.
In truth, Trump has shown precious few qualities necessary to be an effective public servant.
I hope voters remember it’s their tax dollars with which politicians glean their salaries. Let’s spend our votes on those who are working for us and not their own self interests.
A video about Trump’s disastrous health care plan:
Featured image from The Atlantic video.
