Obamacare seems to be losing support since the issue seems be be proving more divisive and fraught with issues than it's worth.
One of seemingly many problems: a significant number of Americans (especially those in lower income levels) may lose their current plans, if they're unable to afford the better (but more expensive) new plans. Even Democratic senator Richard Durbin urges Obama to be "open to constructive change," and some Democrats go so far as to say they might support a Republican proposal, if the problems with Obamacare can't be fixed.
Our class leans liberal/democratic. If you were in the position of a Democratic senator, what do you think would be the most reasonable solution? Would you cut your losses, so to speak, and support a Republican proposal to scale back Obamacare? Or do you think it's worth the risk to stay true to the original goal of Obamacare: affordable and comprehensive plans to cover ALL Americans?
3 comments:
Despite all the complaints over Obamacare, I think it is important for a Democratic representative to stick to their plan. First, if they chose to vote opposite to what their party thinks, it can create a split in the Democratic party, which is the last thing they need. Secondly, it is a bad career move to vote against one's party because in a future election, the party will find a new person to take your place and vote with the party.
Despite the poor implementation of the PPACA, I think its a better decision that Democratic Congress members continue supporting the plan. Regardless of your ideology, the PPACA is an either or plan - you either go through with it entirely, or you don't at all. Switching between supporting the law and then opposing the law only decreases its effectiveness regardless of the merits of the law. Since this is a systemic change that aims to shift national health care towards a new system, there is no benefit for shifting towards a moderate stance on the ACA. A half-assed implementation of the law will be more detrimental than the status quo or the full implementation, and Democrats have an obligation to see this one through.
I agree with the two above comments. As a Democratic senator, to attempt to back out of supporting the Affordable Care Act and switch to supporting a more mild Republican proposal seems like a weak and, for lack of a better word, lame move. However, I can hardly blame people for losing interest/enthusiasm for Obamacare as time goes on; what with the delays with its website and the complex minutiae of the law, it is easy to see why Americans are growing discouraged with the new health care plan.
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