As the dust begins to settle after the longest government shutdown in recent memory, it’s clear that the so-called Affordable Care Act continues to play a starring role in Washington’s ongoing political drama. This ambitious yet flawed healthcare endeavor, popularly known as Obamacare, was introduced against the backdrop of partisan disagreement, with nary a Republican in the choir of approval. Many are now left pondering how “affordable” this act truly is, especially given the relentless rise in insurance premiums.
One pivotal aspect of the original Obamacare plan was the expectation that younger, healthier individuals would enroll in health insurance plans they might not even need. The idea was that their premium payments would help cover the healthcare costs for older, sicker individuals. It sounded virtuous in theory, perhaps even noble. But, like many grand government schemes, it fell flat on its face. The individual mandate enforcing this participation was predictably unpopular and was eventually repealed in the early days of the Trump administration. And so, the program that was supposed to save money is now notorious for increasingly eye-watering premiums.
Take a stroll down memory lane to 2015, when the average monthly premium was $276. Fast forward to today, and that number has more than doubled to a whopping $625. It’s hard to argue that anything labeled as “affordable” should require such a hefty price tag. Yet, what many find more mystifying is how Democrats still find ways to place the blame for these skyrocketing costs on Republicans. It’s as if they conveniently forgot that their party was the only one waving the flag for this act.
In the meantime, political winds are shifting. There’s talk of unrest within the halls of Congress, with whispers that it might be time for new leadership among the Democrats. Names like Chuck Schumer are being tossed around in discussions, and dissatisfaction is brewing, at least among House Democrats. Yet, whether these rumblings in the House will affect the Senate remains to be seen. After all, the leadership tussle is another reminder of how this healthcare debacle remains a thorn in the side of its creators.
When all eyes turn to the next elections, whether midterm or otherwise, there’s a growing anticipation that current Democratic leaders might find themselves out of favor. Until then, we brace for more political posturing and rhetoric. The question remains, however: when will the architects of the Affordable Care Act take a hard look at the storm they’ve helped unleash on the American taxpayer’s wallet? As premiums continue to climb, one has to wonder if “affordable” will soon find itself replaced in the lexicon by a more fitting, financially heavy descriptor.
