ObamaCare, Health Care Reform, Health Care Need And The GOP

    

The Affordable Care Act (AKA, ObamaCare) is trod-ding the minefields on the path major program implementations in 2014. The Henry J Kaiser Foundation published an implementation timeline on its web page. The interactive table is informative showing what’s to come from the ACA, what has been established and what remains non-implemented.

The 2013 timeline shows 10 of the 14  components are in effect. As we move towards 2014 and implementation of major components of the ACA, we find the GOP still fighting the futile fight of repeal, we find many in the nation are not happy with the ACA, and we find even greater need for the ACA as Boomers age. 

Boomers will also hand the nation greater need for funding as their health issues expand with rising age. The first of the Boomers hit age 65 in 2011.  Studies indicate where our geographic locations reveal much about the quality of our health.  

USA Today (Health and Wellness)

HEALTH OF AMERICANS 65 AND OLDER: HOW STATES STACK UP  (Highligthed red  history GOP stated bold font added by TPI)

Rankings are based on 34 measures of senior health from government agencies and private research groups, ranging from physical activity levels and obesity to poverty and flu vaccinations:

How all 50 states ranked:

1. Minnesota

2. Vermont

3. New Hampshire

4. Massachusetts

5. Iowa

6. Hawaii

7. Connecticut

8. Colorado

9. Utah

10. Maryland

11. North Dakota

12. Delaware

13. Maine

14. Nebraska

15. Oregon

16. Washington

17. Pennsylvania

18. Kansas

19. South Dakota

20. Wisconsin

21. Virginia

22. Arizona

23. New York

24. Idaho

25. California

26. Michigan

27. New Jersey

28. Ohio

29. North Carolina

30. Florida

31. Rhode Island

32. Indiana

33. Missouri

34. Wyoming

35. Montana

36. South Carolina

37. Illinois

38. New Mexico

39. Texas

40. Alaska

41. Tennessee

42. Nevada

43. Georgia

44. Alabama

45. Kentucky

46. Arkansas

47. West Virginia

48. Louisiana

49. Oklahoma

50. Mississippi

Source: United Health Foundation

The map just above depicts states of highest need in the color  red.  Red as in GOP?  We actually do not suspect the interactive map coloration relates to political parties and voter constituents, but the coincidence is remarkable. 

Since we mentioned political party, it is a fact the GOP wants no part of any program that offers opportunity for health care in cases of need.  The House continues to enact “silly” votes to repeal care. Legislation that directly benefits many in GOP districts.

Summary of results of the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential elections:   States carried by the Republican in all four elections   States carried by the Republican in three of the four elections   States carried by each party twice in the four elections   States carried by the Democrat in three of the four elections   States carried by the Democrat in all four elections

Let’s review a quick MSNBC segment about the ACA, GOP and a loyal constituent base. 

The party would turn its back on its most loyal voting bloc.  Of late, I am hearing and seeing more and more about how the public is not favorable to the ACA.  We know “the public” well enough to know that it does not dig deep. We also know that people are averse to what they perceive as major change especially if (the) change is accompanied by effective negative propaganda.  Let’s borrow a few minutes from Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, regarding a recent CNN Affordable Care Act Poll. 

   

It appears the unfavor-ability towards the ACA includes people who feel it does not go far enough in properly insuring registrants.  Why did the CNN host fail to delineate such? It is a glaring and rather basic observation and one easily accomplished by media dedicated to fair and balanced reporting. 

The GOP without doubt wants to dismantle President Obama’s seminal healthcare reform legislation. But, at what price? Costs to the GOP voter base is obvious in states where the greatest need for affordable healthcare exists, the GOP stands in solidarity against implementation. Medicaid expansion and state ACA exchanges are 2013 implementation requirements.   A few GOP Governors have wisely moved to expand Medicaid in their states after initially following the party-line in opposition.  Yet, expending ACA Medicaid is nothing compared to major implementations in 2014 (See interactive link above and scroll to “2014”). Questions arise that have broad impact going forward. How will people who flock to vote with fully armed GOP psyches react as they grow more in need of medical care they do not possess or do not possess at the level of coverage necessary to sustain (physical or mental) comfort or life?  They vote as a loyal GOP voting bloc while clearly harming themselves with the very same vote election after election.   Would the GOP return the nation to the reality of 50 million people living in our nation with no health or dental care?  While, I strongly feel the GOP would do so in a nano-second the real question is, will voters condemn so many to the horrors of living with no medical coverage.  We will find out after the answer to that questions after the 2014 primary elections. 


The New Republic has published a piece that lays-out real danger for the GOP in continuing to pursue a repeal of the ACA.