Call it Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act. Regardless, the federal health care plan generates discussion, as it did in an Atlanta Forward blog last week. Here is a sampling of reader comments.
Roger: I have been in the health care profession for more than 30 years and have yet to see a government program that has not increased the cost and lowered the delivery of health care services. I don't care what side you are on. We should all be concerned about this law. Most representatives are not even aware what is in it. The law leaves millions of Americans uncovered and increases the cost of coverage to all of us, including the states. As it is written, this is a disaster. Democrats and Republicans both express concern regarding this law.
LaKeisha: The health insurance premiums for my family have almost doubled. I think it's disgraceful that the government does not provide health care for its citizens, but I did not support the Affordable Care Act. We should just make everyone eligible for Medicaid.
SAWB: First off, I don't think anyone really knows what to expect, including the folks who created the program. As Nancy Pelosi famously stated, "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." I don't think any reasonable person believes the initial promises or cost estimates. We are now even seeing some Democrats lose faith and jump ship. So I think there is a lot to be concerned about as we go forward. Now, having said all that, the reality is that, like it or not, ObamaCare is happening. Our leaders can't just put their heads in the sand and hope it will go away. The governor and Legislature need to closely review this program and aggressively pursue options that work best for Georgia.
Bernie: This is an easy one! Gov. Nathan Deal, along with the other mostly Southern Republican governors, are all wrong! The cost of America's health care is going to increase dramatically with or without the implementation of what is commonly referred to as Obamacare. The denial by these governors is based on purely partisan political reasoning. The Medical Association of Georgia is not being honest and forthright.
Starik: Who pays for the victims of shootings and traffic accidents who are uninsured? There are two keys to rationalizing medical care — expanding the pool of participants to include everybody, and reducing the ludicrously large amounts being paid for medical services. Medicaid for all.
XXX: I've asked before and have yet to get an answer: What are the proposed resources that will cover the expected, additional, annual tax requirements for Georgia citizens if Medicaid is expanded?
