Health Care Reforms To Kick In; GOP Screams ‘Look At Us’

By William K. Wolfrum

On Thursday, six months after the bill left President Barack Obama’s desk, several more benefits of health care reform will start to take effect (some took effect upon signing the bill). To have some of the bill’s benefits kick in before the midterm elections was a key issue for many Democrats who were wobbly on the prospect of passing such sweeping legislation. Some of the the changes that will begin in two days include:

• Preventing sick children from being denied coverage
• Insurers can’t unfairly cancel your policy
• Help for employers to cover retirees

This means that six months after the bill was passed, a host of changes will already be in effect that will benefit millions of Americans. Check out Consumer Reports Health Reform Guide to see how the reforms will affect you. While you read them, it wouldn’t hurt to have House Minority Leader John Boehner’s words ring in your ears:

“You need to understand that in my opinion Obamacare will ruin the best health care system in the world and it will bankrupt our country.”

Of course, the U.S. has nothing near the best health care system in the world, and claims that the reforms will “bankrupt the nation” are unfounded scare tactics. But Republicans are desperate to rid the world of the reforms before the American public gets a good chance too see what they are actually getting out of the deal.

So it’s no coincidence that the GOP is “unveiling its agenda” on Thursday. It is timed as a blatant attempt to steal the thunder from Obama and the Democrats, who will be promoting consumer-positive changes from their biggest legislative accomplishment in years.  It remains to be seen who will win this messaging war and what difference, if any, it will make on current midterm election prognostications.

By: William K. Wolfrum

I'm a journalist, columnist, humorist, satirist, Dogist and Husbandist