Liberal : Affordable Care Act provides equal access to health care for every American
The Supreme Court held its longest oral argument session in decades this week to rule over President Barack Obama’s signature domestic legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
As the largest health care overhaul in almost 50 years, the act aims to add 30 million previously uninsured participants into the pool while helping to reduce the soaring costs of individual care.
Liberals argue the bill shifts the burden of paying for emergency hospital visits or other unexpected health needs from those who have insurance to those who currently do not. In other words, those who are younger, healthier, uninsurable because of pre-existing conditions, or who simply cannot afford care, would now be able to purchase policies using government subsidies rather than count on others to foot the bill.
The act will prevent insurance companies from denying care to those who have had previous health issues or dropping those who become sick while covered. It will require insurance for the more than 19 million women who cannot afford premiums and who are normally charged up to 150 percent higher than men for an equal policy. The act will ensure all Americans are entitled to the same care, but more importantly, it will give millions access to preventative care for breast cancer, heart disease and more, which is cheaper and more effective than treating the fully developed conditions.
Though conservatives focus on the nation’s budget deficit is certainly valid, it is weak. The Congressional Budget Office recently lowered its exceptions for the act’s total costs from $1.131 trillion over the next 10 years to an admittedly still high $1.083 trillion. Still, this shows many initial estimates were far too high and does not account for any increases in economic activity due to longer lives, the reduced costs brought about by preventative care or lower policy costs because of increased competition.
But at the heart of the dispute, is a constitutional battle over the act’s individual mandate, which would require all Amer icans to purchase health care or pay a fine, starting in 2014.
Paul Clement, who represents the 26 states and small businesses that brought the case to the Supreme Court, calls this the ‘Broccoli Law,’ saying the government should not be able to force you to do something just because it is good for you. He argues sitting at home on your couch and not purchasing health care means you are not participating in the economy. He says the Obama administration’s claim that Congress is acting within its rights under the Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause does not apply.
However, medical care is such a large part of the economy. It simply cannot be contained within state borders and should be subject to federal regulation. Each year, American households spend nearly $15,000 on health care, representing about 18 percent of the nation’s GDP. That number is expected to grow to 21 percent within the decade.
Wickard v. Filburn, a key Supreme Court ruling that set precedent for Congress’ ability to regulate commerce between states, ruled Congress can fine individuals for growing wheat for personal use because it can affect the cost of wheat for others in the market. Similarly, those sitting on the sidelines in health care, whether by choice or not, are effecting the costs for those who are already in the market.
In 2009, $42.7 billion, or 37 percent, of the costs for uninsured health care recipients went unpaid for. The result is employers and individuals had to pick up the bill in the form of taxes, paying an extra $1,017 in extra health care premiums per household to cover this short fall.
Though it might not taste great going down, especially in the current economic environment, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides equal access to health care for every American, falls within Congress’ constitutional rights and may actually reduce costs for many Americans.
Stephen Fox is a graduate student studying for his master’s degree in entrepreneurship and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. His columns appear weekly. He can be reached at smfox03@syr.edu.
