Spin Doctors And The Affordable Care Act

Thursday’s landmark decision by the Supreme Court regarding the Affordable Care Act became not only an important day in this country’s health care history, but also a blockbuster day for political diatribe, fear-mongering, irresponsibility, and downright stupidity.

When the real data emerges, and it will, we will look to this day much like the days when Medicare and Social Security were introduced. But I understand that anytime people are faced with something new, it can generate a little fear of the unknown.

It has become readily apparent to me that legislators have chosen, repeatedly, to ignore the data and the evidence. They have chosen to disregard responsibility, especially in their words to constituents. They have chosen to ignore their accountability to voters.

But they have not forgotten how to spin, spin, spin the agenda. They have chosen to listen to the doctors – the spin doctors – the “spinions” who have not forgotten how to create fear and uncertainty in the eyes of the average American.

After the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, we were witness to a great deal of “spinning” from Democrats and Republicans alike. Of course, the Republicans reminded us of the President’s “no new taxes” stance, especially since the Supreme Court ruled that the individual mandate could be considered a tax. Penalty, tax, its all in the words, isn’t it? The part that is left unsaid is the reason for its existence.

It gets so much more intriguing though. To the microphone strolls none other than Governor Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. This 4 minute clip confirms just how ridiculous the spin doctors have become.

Repeal, repeal, repeal. Nothing new there. Oh, wait, he’s telling us that this is bad policy and bad law. Wasn’t this same policy something that Governor Romney enacted in Massachusetts? But he can’t say that now can he?

Then there are the quantum leaps of spin doctor-ese …

Obamacare makes it less likely for businesses to hire people? Why? Is there any hard data to support this? The law is barely in operation and we’re already projecting its effects on business hiring practices and job creation.

Obamacare “puts the federal government between you and your doctor”. No, being uninsured is what separates you and your doctor. Oh, hold on, the ACA actually took care of that by providing insurance to more people.

Obamacare adds to the national debt? Want to add to the national debt? Leave health care unattended. Health care spending will account for over 20% of the GDP by 2020. Once it does, tell me that the ACA was such a big deal.

But it gets better. Romney starts lining out what needs to happen in REAL health care reform.

20 million Americans need to maintain the insurance they currently have? Let’s see – the ACA has that covered.

Those with pre-existing conditions need to know that they will be insured. Again, the ACA has that covered.

Make sure that each state provides access to affordable health care. Wait a minute – isn’t that the principle behind the ACA exchanges?

We need to lower the costs of health care. Does comparative effectiveness research count? Got it.

It is now apparent that Governor Romney supports the basic tenets of the ACA. All of the items he wants, it has. But since it doesn’t have the Republican flavor to it, of course it needs to be repealed. Strangely enough, Romney has been trying with all his might to distance himself from the one political success that he had going for him in Massachusetts, all to gain more support for his Presidential agenda.

Of course, he ended his speech with the standard issues of fear. You know, if we have Obamacare the end of the world is near and we’re all going to be further in debt and well, why don’t you just vote him in now so we can make everyone feel safe again.

There is a big problem with the Affordable Care Act: it didn’t go far enough. Nowhere near. The public option – very clearly supported by the majority of Americans – was left rotting on the vine. Why? Special interests. Again. Spin doctors, unite.

The United States remains as one of the few (if not the only) industrialized nations in the world that does not have something along the lines of universal health care. At this rate, the zombie apocalypse will take place before this broken system is repaired or replaced. The chances of the Chicago Cubs winning a title are actually greater than the chances of this country having an affordable, patient-centered health care system based on evidence and not the political climate of the moment.

In the meantime, the spin doctors will continue to have their way. And we will all suffer because of it.

Addendum: My proposal for EPIC health care reform can be found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Photo credits: RLHyde