By Stephfon Guidry
Liberty, justice and healthcare for all! Since his historic election in 2008, President Barrack Obama has been spearheading a campaign to revolutionize American healthcare. Democrats feel they are champions of the people giving insurance to many citizens in need of healthcare while Republicans continuously shout this new law is a tax and that it is a dangerous strong-arming of the government. President Obama had this to say after the law was passed with a 5-4 vote, “Today’s decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives are more secure because of this law.” (CNN.com) It is interesting to note that Republican candidate Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, proposed a similar healthcare plan now is opposing “Obamacare” and agreeing with other conservatives calling the new mandate a tax.
The new healthcare reform will mandate that most Americans get healthcare insurance by 2014 or face a penalty, or tax. However it also expanded the Medicaid healthcare insurance program for the poor. The law also puts into effect that insurers cannot deny coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and parents may keep their children on their insurance until the age of 26. Romney continues his criticism saying: “What the court did today was said that Obamacare does not violate the Constitution,” Romney said. “What they did not do is say that Obamacare is good law, or good policy.” (Reuters.com) Democrats celebrated this victory of the people with toasts and salutations, Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic leader, paid homage to the dearly departed Ted Kennedy (2009) saying, “Now, Teddy can rest.” (Reuters.com) To a select few this new healthcare reform seems a tax when it is only saying that those who can afford it should and others who can’t will be provided some semblance of government aid to ensure a better quality of life for all Americans.
