New Republic: Medicare Is Ok, So Is Obamacare
The lawyers challenging the Affordable Care Act will offer many arguments next week, when they make their case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. But their most central claim is that the law is "unprecedented" — that it represents "a revolution in the relationship between the central government and the governed."
As they tell it, the requirement that nearly everybody obtain insurance, or pay a penalty to the government, forces people to pay for something they might not want or need. The constitution, they say, does not "empower Congress to seize control over decisions so basic as to how the people spend their money."
Put aside, for a moment, the fine distinctions of the interstate commerce clause and other constitutional matters the court must ponder. In principle, is the basic obligation that comes with health care reform — to pay for a mutual protection scheme that some individuals might not find advantageous or desirable — really so novel?
Hardly. It's an obligation most of us meet on a regular basis, every time we get a paycheck.
Medicare rationing? An election-year House vote
House Republicans resurrected the specter of Medicare rationing Thursday in an election-year vote to repeal cost controls in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
In the GOP crosshairs is a board that has yet to be named but would be empowered to force cuts to drug companies, insurers and other service providers if Medicare spending balloons. A Republican plan announced this week, laying down a dividing line between the parties, also would limit Medicare cost increases, but it would rely on competition among private insurance plans.
GOP lawmakers are hoping their symbolic 223-181 vote on Thursday to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board will help persuade seniors that Republicans, not Democrats, are the best stewards of Medicare.
The bill is likely to hit a dead end in the Senate. House Republicans all but guaranteed that when they paired the board repeal with caps on medical malpractice awards, which most Democrats oppose. The White House has issued a veto threat.
Forbes (blog)Medigap policies are insurance supplements designed to cover health costs Medicare won't cover. When private insurers began raising their rates in anticipation of ObamaCare's impact, Democratic Sens. Reid, John Kerry and Max Baucus wrote a letter President Obama's Abuse Of PowerObamacare repeal means waivers for everybodyObamaCare Cheerleader AARP Given ObamaCare Waiver - -all 18 news articles »
Fox NewsWhen asked, "In order to reduce the national debt, would you support or oppose cutting spending on Medicare, which is the government health insurance program for the elderly?" just 19 percent of respondents said they would, while an overwhelming 77 Obama, Ryan, Gingrich Muddle Health DebatePrivate health insurance plans are for healthy peoplePaul Ryan for president? Eric Cantor would welcome bid - -all 558 news articles »
