Obamacare / Health Care Laws
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Last updated on: 1/21/2011 8:40:40 AM PST

Is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) good for America?

What do you think? Share your pro or con views and help us foster civil, intelligent discussion on important social issues. If you're looking to attack, harass, demean, or impersonate others, please go elsewhere. Read the rules on submitting comments at ProCon.org. Please note that the pro and con comments and thumbs up/down votes reflect the views of ProCon.org readers and not necessarily of ProCon.org or society in general. Remember to enter your email address so we can notify you if your comment gets posted. Thank you!

PRO (yes) Comments (35)

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  • +13 +36 -23 Roger May. 26, 2011
    "The US has some of the greatest health care in the world and one of the worst payer systems. The payer system we have has created a "sick care" system where the sicker you are the more money hospital systems and corporate physician organizations make. Insurance companies will always be profitable by raising rates and dropping you if you have a chronic condition. We need a single payer system that works to cure patients."
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  • +9 +21 -12 Denise Mar. 27, 2012
    "I have many friends from all over the world and every one of them have national healthcare and they love it. The US has to got do the same. This initial healthcare reform started by Obama is just in its infancy steps in the right direction. It would have been better if it weren't for all of the GOP opposition. It WILL work because it has been proven to work elsewhere. However, it all takes time to evolve into a more substantial system and the public must be educated better than it is now as to the great benefits it will provide - in time....folks are way to impatient and the GOP craziness does not help the situation. All they want to do is oppose ANYTHING Pres Obamas supports....it boils down to politics. They don't care about the individual American.

    Interesting to note that the history of bills submitted with individual healthcare mandates was originally proposed by REPUBLICANS!!! The ONLY reason why the GOP is now stating their disapproval is because it is part of the Pres Obama heath care package of reforms. ProCon has a great page of the timeline of the republican support and history of health care reform bills. Visit here for the timeline: http://healthcarereform.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004182"
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  • +9 +35 -26 Arizona Vet May. 21, 2011
    "The 100% government VA healthcare system is the best in the world. Even Republican Senators go to Army and Naval hospitals for their personal care instead of using private hospitals. It is a time proven example that government can run a healthcare system well, even though the new system is still a private system because of uneducated opponents."
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    • +1 +2 -1 Arizona Vet May. 7, 2012
      "Dr M.... Wrong again. I have been under VA care for years as well as private care. The VA system and services far exceed any private I have received. Tens of thousands of vets will agree in spite of your negative comment."
    • 0 +1 -1 Karen Jun. 8, 2012
      "I would have to disagree. It might be the best in the world for a younger vet, but once vets get older and need nursing home placement, most of the time getting VA contracted patients cared for in GA is like pulling teeth. They deny therapy from patients that could clearly benefit from it and don't even let me get started on how long it takes to get a Dr.'s appt for the patients that have to go the the VA Dr's."
    • 0 +2 -2 David May. 6, 2012
      "I'm con very good counter arguement but I have one question. If the new system is privatized t like u stated then how can the goverment force people to buy into it? Answer they cant unless you want a socialist society"
    • 0 +4 -4 Dr. M Jun. 26, 2011
      "You have obviously never been to nor recieved care in a VA hospital. No private paying or subsidized American would tolerate this type of care, as "we" want the best product for the least cost at our earliest convenience. Ask you average vet about the experience at the local VA, not a senator recieving care at the two or three elite training military hospital facilities. You be saddened, and then angered."
    • -2 +1 -3 Frances Jul. 1, 2011
      "Unfortunately, that is swiftly going away because those same Republican Senators getting the care that SHOULD be going to our vets want to kill their care. Even Tricare, which vets PAY FOR after being promised lifetime free care a generation ago, is under attack. It pretty much stinks when vets with 100% war-related disabilities.were being told by McCain (in 2008) their conditions are not as important as his were. Now people like Bachmann are calling vets "freeloaders". Too much Ayn Rand, I guess."
  • +8 +17 -9 Robert Mar. 27, 2012
    "The only way to have previous conditions covered is to have a mandate. In the long run it will reduce healthcare costs. The US spends 2-3 times more than other countries on healthcare and still we have 5o million people uninsured. That's ridiculous. The current system is a mess. Not sure Obamacare is the right fix but it's a step in the right direction."
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    • -1 0 -1 Beth Jul. 13, 2012
      "Not true. Ever policy I've ever had access to requires a waiting period if you have a preexisting condition, and require a higher premium, but they have not denied coverage. Isn't that the norm?"
  • +5 +19 -14 Samantha Mar. 1, 2012
    "While Obama may be making a shaky start, it is indeed a start. While we as a country disagree about many subjects, we can agree on one thing: preventive procedures will be and will forever be less expensive than treatment itself. I'm glad that Obama has acknowledged this fact, and simply addressing this one fact alone and acting on it can save both families and the government ridiculous amounts of money once these new laws become active."
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  • +5 +21 -16 Karen Elliott May. 20, 2011
    "I don't think Americans should be mandated to purchase health insurance from for-profit companies. I had hoped that Universal Health Care would come in the form of single-payer coverage, paid to health care agencies, by the government from tax and cost-cutting revenues. I think we need to take the profit out of health care, that everyone should be covered and that care/treament should be based on research-based outcomes. If individuals choose to buy private insurance so they can have "Cadillac Coverage", that would always be a choice."
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    • -1 +3 -4 Arizona Vet May. 21, 2011
      "Karen, that is exactly what Obama and most that voted for him wanted. A 100% government run program (single payer) like that of the VA system. But opponents insisted on the current law provisions and then voted against it. Thanks"
    • -2 +3 -5 David Andrews May. 20, 2011
      "I completely agree with Karen in that "taking the profit out of health care" is the key. Let's start by eliminating the middlemen for-profit insurance companies completely and then permit the government to use its huge purchasing power to negotiate lower drug prices for all of us as they are currently doing for veterans (VA). These sound like some good ideas here too: http://www.naturalnews.com/021610.html"
    • -6 +2 -8 Karen May. 23, 2011
      "I am a huge supporter of the health care reform...I just wish President Obama had gotten what he wanted. My husband, a physician is also in favor of single payer system for all. The fear mongering that has gone on over this is shameful."
  • +4 +22 -18 Victor May. 20, 2011
    "I would prefer that health care be taken cared of in the private sector; however, it is already an accepted fact that our market-oriented economic system has its shortcomings. Therefore, if we are to live up to our Founding Fathers' expectations expressed in our Constitution's Preamble ("promote the general welfare", "insure domestic tranquility", and, "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity"), then it is logical that our Government step in to assist any person in America to stay able-bodied to fulfill their civic duties and responsibilities."
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    • -1 0 -1 David Jun. 18, 2012
      "It depends on how you view the preamble and the constitution because the biggest line tat pertains to tis is, "promote the general welfare" well promote doesn't mean to take govermental control of people health. Promote is to well hel facilitate and take care of meaning in the control of the private sector not Obama."
  • +3 +8 -5 Eve Jul. 2, 2012
    "The funny thing about the con argument is that it comes from those who are anti-Obama & anti-for-the-people. European countries have such care and it so works. We have citizens that die here in the greatest country on earth due to lack of affordable healthcare. I myself from time to time haven't had healthcare for my family even though I have always worked full time because it wasn't affordable. Government for the people by the people. Republicans haven't care or had a solution that addresses all US citizens in all our history and now allof a sudden, they know best. Where wre they when we had 12 years of the Bush's? Thank you Obama, thank you Supreme court for stepping up to the plate and making the tough decision a reality!"
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  • +3 +12 -9 Sherri Gabbert, PhD Mar. 29, 2012
    "The ACA is the result of President Obama's attempt to compromise against the ultra right, rich conservatives who oppose universal, federal care. It is HIGHLY misleading to simply lump them into the "CON" column, when in fact, they supported Obama's original notion of universal, government supported healthcare."
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  • +3 +23 -20 michael Fitzgerald May. 24, 2011
    "Everyone needs healthcare. The cost for healthare is too high for most people to afford. So the cost just gets passed to the taxpayer. People shouldn't end up losing everything just because they get sick."
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    • 0 +2 -2 James Sep. 30, 2011
      "Healthcare costs are so high because of overregulation and sue happy socialists"
  • +3 +22 -19 Chuck Crouse May. 20, 2011
    "The quality of the health care available to us is excellent. But paying the rising costs of that care is creating a stratified society: those who can pay the costs and those who cannot. I'm unwilling to see less-prosperous Americans be denied essential care -- possibly leading to early death -- or suffer bankruptcy."
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  • +3 +31 -28 Fred Apr. 27, 2011
    "Obama had to do something. He got no help from the Republicans whatsoever. He and the Democrats deserve praise for caring enough about our health to try and fix a screwed up system that bankrupts so many Americans and keeps so many others unhealthy or intensely frustrated with their insurers. Yes, the changes are good for America. There may be some bad in those 900+ pages too, but so what. He couldn't make it perfect with no support from the Republicans. Just be thankful for what we got."
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    • +1 +2 -1 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "Plus, Republicans will NEVER pass their own reform - they've never tried. Reagan, Bush and W never even attempted reform while Clinton and Obama did. So, judging by this record, if we are going to repair our broken HC system, it will have to be the Democrats who do it."
    • 0 0 0 Justine Oct. 19, 2012
      "33 attempts to go through Congress at the taxpayers expense. Not once did the Republicans come back and say, 'this is a nice idea, but let's tweak it a little so it doesn't
      cost the people quite as much and still has the national benefits of giving everyone an equal opportunity at better healthcare'. Nope, not once did they make the effort."
    • -1 0 -1 Kandy Jan. 9, 2012
      "i see 1 major problem w/this though...those of us who worked in our lives paying for our medical care...good strong policies, good coverage that has now been grossly affected...we are now in a huge mess...what are we supposed to do??? what would normally cost me less that 500 a year now cost me well over 5000 dollars a year...before it's said and done, I may end up losing my house, I am literally only $50 a month above the amount of qualifying for medicaid...what is fair about this???"
  • +2 +7 -5 denise Jun. 30, 2012
    "Because it is what we,the people are supposed to do. Indersntand that it is a right to have access to and o be able to afford health care. That healthcare is not to be capitalized on, and we need to remember that America is great because we take care of our people. Now we can join the rest of the world."
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  • +2 +11 -9 Joyce Gable Mar. 29, 2012
    "I followed the whole process and at the implentation of "Obamacare" I celebrated. I am Jane Doe Public and health care was reletively unaccessable to me/us. Best reform in 45 years. Thank you Obama for your humanity. All my support and prayers."
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    • 0 0 0 Peggy Nov. 18, 2012
      "To Studley (and everyone else who believes, falsely, that anyone in America who cannot afford health care under our current system is unemployed by choice or a freeloader), please keep your comments to yourself. You do not contribute anything constructive to the conversation.

      The Affordable Health Care Act is the first step toward much needed health care reform in this country. President Obama has stated publicly that it isn't perfect, and he intends to continue to work to improve it. It is my hope that the Republican Party will back down from their obstructionist position and work with the Democrats to make health care available to all Americans."
    • -1 0 -1 Studley Jul. 5, 2012
      "Get a job!"
  • +1 +18 -17 Frances Jul. 1, 2011
    "I lived in Europe where they have single payer systems in several forms and I would take the worst of them over the "best" private insurance offered to the majority of our country's citizens. The lies about having to wait forever for routine care and emergency surgery are just that--lies. The waits do happen, but they are for procedures that are not life-threatening and can keep (knee replacements are not emergencies, even if the knees are not in great shape). People don't go bankrupt, either, to get their care. We have so many loopholes in our policies that, even if we have insurance, we may well have no coverage until after all the deductibles and mandatory fees are paid. A friend in Germany had major surgery and a 14-day hospital stay for therapy--final cost to him was around $140 US. I ran the same care through my insurance: $15,000 before it would pay dime one. I also believe reform does not go far enough. There is a fast-track to single-payer in a hurry on a national level, if only more of our "representatives" would grow some pairs. It just takes creativity and sneakiness. Or a president who will just issue an Executive Order and be done with it. It would be very hard to put the Genii back in the bottle once done."
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    • -1 0 -1 Mike Apr. 15, 2012
      "I have relatives and the UK and Scandinavia and they say the same thing. In England, my cousin said you would have to wait for non emergencies, though you could use private insurance. All this, don't tell me what to do is not making us healthier."
  • 0 +6 -6 Aly Sep. 2, 2012
    "Now I don't have to worry about being un-insured while I'm studying at college, I'll stil be under my parents plan. And my boyfriend, who has never had health insurance, because of his pre-existing condition, can finally get insurance without it being super expensive."
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  • 0 +6 -6 John Hughes-Caley Aug. 24, 2012
    "Where is the Congressional Budget Office assessment comparing the national ROI for all of us in the U.S. to abandon private insurance policies in favor of just one, national coverage pool to cover the costs of essential health coverage? As an old-fashioned Republican, I reject the notion that if my neighbor refuses to pay for necessary coverage that he CAN buy, my premiums and taxes must pay when he gets sick or injured. Let everyone be covered with the same basic tax-supported policy, and let those who want to supplement essential coverage with special or concierge services pay for them in a private insurance market. Some day we'll find the wisdom to realize that a healthy citizenry functions better in all aspects of life and is less of burden on American business and competitiveness than we are today. The so-called "Obamacare," which has its roots in Republican administrations of the mid-Twentieth Century, take the U.S. in the right direction."
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  • -1 +2 -3 Robert Davis Nov. 5, 2012
    "We, as a society, have an obligaiton to extend our collective wealth to help others who cannot afford health insurance whatever the reason. Ignoring those in need or pretending that they don't exist when they go to the emergency room, for example, increases the costs for all of us."
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  • -1 +4 -5 Julia Ludwig Aug. 13, 2012
    "I believe a healthy society recognizes certain basic rights of the individuals who comprize it. Most all of the developed world agrees and provides universal health care to some degree. The US has been lagging in this for decades."
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  • -1 +6 -7 efk Jun. 26, 2012
    "The ACA is a good start at reforming our broken HC system, and we should support it, but it's not the end by any means. Our current HC system is a disgrace. We should all be ashamed of it. I am not referring to our medical institutions, which are the best in the world. I'm referring to people's ACCESS (or lack thereof) to the benefits of those medical institutions. That is the disgrace. We are the worst among developed nations in terms of access to HC. Of the 32 developed nations in the world, 31 have universal healthcare coverage, with the one exception being . . . the United States. Now that's American exceptionalism for you! The richest country in the world doesn't provide health care to all its citizens - by choice??? Pathetic. This is the one and only developed country where someone can get cancer and then have their house taken away from them because they can't afford the treatment. Pathetic. We live in the richest (and greatest?) country in the world, yet we rank 34th in the world in infant mortality. Even Cuba does better than us in that measure. Shameful. Clearly, we can, should, and must reform our HC system. It's just a matter of people being properly informed and creating the will to change it."
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  • -2 +5 -7 KO101 Jun. 29, 2012
    "I need affordable healthcare while I start up my business, so this would hopefullly be the solution to my problem.I would like to see all uninsured put in one large pool, where everyone pays the same amount for insurance no matter what their current health situation is (even for smokers or tanning bed users)...keep it simple!!! I want to see the portion of act utilized where health care professionals are more involved in researching why the number of emergency room visits/office visits are so high for specific patients and give those patients individualized attention to correct or improve upon their health situation (these users cost the most in any health care plan).If done right, the ACA could be a good thing for the U.S.If done wrong, it will be another government boondoggle.We the people need to follow this act and ensure it is being properly followed by insurance companies and physicians.Once initiated, we should be able to expect a significant, gradual decrease in premiums over the next 5 years as we get our health in check.Then premiums should stabilize as we go into "maintain" mode.I would like to understand more about expected premium amounts.Globally, $200-300 healthcare premiums are average paid. Where are we? REF: CNN"
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  • -2 +11 -13 Allan Jan. 29, 2012
    "It may only be an imperfect first step toward health care reform, but it is a necessary step. The insurance companies came along because of the individual mandate that gives them new customers. In return they lose the ability to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions. That alone is worthwhile."
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  • -3 +6 -9 missouri Apr. 28, 2012
    "I'm study to be a nurse practitioner and want the support from the government to finish training and practice in underserve areas."
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  • -3 +13 -16 lloyd fish MD Jul. 29, 2011
    "We need medicare for all HR 676 in order to cover everyone and save a significant amount of money. We have the necessary ingredients but not the political will to not have the insurance industry or the pharmaceutical industry involved in a profit making venture"
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  • -3 +14 -17 Greg Jul. 28, 2011
    "We should have a single payer system. This law did not go far enough. The current situation in Washington is truly frightening."
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  • -3 +15 -18 tom Jul. 4, 2011
    "I am 100% in support of the Health Care passed uder the Leadership of President Obama. The argument about the cost of the plan foolish. When I am in need of medical care I am not concern about the cost, I am concern about getting well. American must be healthy inorder to move forward and compete in the global economy of today. We need a healthy America for ALL AMERICANS."
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  • -4 +13 -17 Bruce C Ogilvie Jul. 28, 2011
    "We need universal single payer health care in the US"
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  • -4 +18 -22 Sean Jun. 24, 2011
    "The problem is the health care reform law doesn't go far enough. For health care financing to make sense, all premiums spent in one's lifetime for health insurance should be returned, less an administrative fee paid to the insurer. However, once you are 65 all premiums paid are now profits for the insurer and medicare (the taxpayer) foots the bill for future health care. Insurers should insure from cradle to grave, whether it is medicare for everyone or whether the insurance industry becomes more like a utility company."
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    • 0 0 0 Kandy Jan. 9, 2012
      "but if you are still w/them are you still now paying prems to have a secondary or supplement??? I know I've done nothing but suffer from this. Because I have children I cannot profit from Part-D. I have to use my employer ins. Which all co pays and deductibles since this whole reform thing have doubled to tripled...this is a royal nightmare..what is happening...this may be fine for the upper class America, those who have gained medicaid, and the government officials w/free lifetime healthcare, but for those of us just over the lowest poverty line this is a living nightmare...I'm having to play Russian Roulette w/my meds ea month...do I want my heart meds, seizure meds, diabetic meds & supplies, high blood pressure meds...hmmm what shall I do w/o this month"
  • -4 +19 -23 You Know I'm Right May. 19, 2011
    "Obamacare is a big improvement over what we had before, but the law did not go far enough. We should have a single payer system where every citizen could go to any doctor and receive whatever treatment they needed. Insurance cost me $70 a month as a young adult. Now it costs me over $400 a month and it is not nearly as good. Why would I want more private insurance? Screw that. I want health care from people who care about health and not about profit. Shame on those right-wingers for trying to de-fund and dismantle some of the only progress we've ever made on this issue in the last 20 years."
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    • -1 0 -1 @LoudAmerican May. 22, 2012
      "Do you realize that you are saying one thing and explaining another thing?

      YOU SAID: Insurance cost me $70 a month as a young adult. Now it costs me over $400 a month and it is not nearly as good.

      ObamaCare has forced coverage prices up and ...
      made it more difficult to AFFORD A BETTER COVERAGE than an employer's choice.

      If your boss is a cheapskate - you're just out of luck!
      You are going to be STUCK with their choice."
  • -5 +14 -19 George Jul. 1, 2011
    "I support the legislation. The tens of millions of uninsured speak for themselves. The Medical Community had decades to address the problem of affordable health care delivery and have failed to exercise prudent judgment. Platitudes like the "free market" will not fix what is broken and today, there are too many patients showing up in the emergency rooms for basic health care."
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  • -6 +12 -18 Eclectic Observer Jul. 27, 2011
    "It is good, but it does not go far enough. We need far more public oversight of costs and delivery. We are far too inclined to inefficient treatments and lack of primary care.

    There is very little impact on liberty and none on economic efficiency.

    Compare the fairly minor provisions of individual mandate against such silly things as our "war on illegal drugs" and prosecutorial abuses and the only conclusion is that this is more politics and plutocracy than principle as an objection."
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  • -6 +12 -18 Don Jun. 16, 2011
    "I find it interesting that the Rebublicians want to relpace Obama's plan with a "voucher like" system that allows the individual a specific amount of money to shop their insurance coverage. So..we are replacing a democratic system that monitors our health care with one that is controled by the CEO's of the insurance companies. They will make the life and death decesions of what coverage we get based on what we can pay. Hmmmm."
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  • -7 +12 -19 Steve Jul. 28, 2011
    "It's simple. Without everyone participating costs will rise. Hyper-ventilation about the individual mandate ignores the fact that we are already forced to buy two insurance policies by the government - Social Security and Medicare. And guess what? They are really popular."
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    • -1 +1 -2 kandy Jan. 9, 2012
      "but my ? is this what about us that have pd in and bought our policies through our jobs our whole life that this reform is now making so costly that is it basically becoming worthless and it was excellent coverage, and basically cost us nothing out of pocket until 2 yrs ago???"
  • -7 +11 -18 Jamie5 May. 25, 2011
    "Only in America would a nation have allowed greedy barbarians to run our health care system into the ground. Only in America were manufacturing jobs chased out of the country partly due to the onerous health care costs foisted on the nation's businesses. Obama did a good thing. He fought hard and got what he could for a start to untangling this mess of a "health care system". The barbarians have lost. Hopefully we won't be the laughingstock of the free world much longer."
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    • +2 +2 0 Capitalist May. 18, 2012
      "Greedy barbarians..... what do you want a communist system our current system is called CAPITALISM for a reason if you want a system where you get free health care but are forced to work for the goverment for 15 cents an hour move to china. Greedy barbarians, are you a comie?"
  • -8 +16 -24 Deidre May. 26, 2011
    "Everyone deserves the right to health care."
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    • +8 +8 0 James Sep. 30, 2011
      "you do have a right to heatlh care, but you also have a responisblity to pay for your own"
    • 0 +1 -1 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "James, that's exactly what the individual mandate is suppose to remedy. Sooner or later we will all need the HC system, so we should all pay our fair share. It's all about responsibility."

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  • +36 +52 -16 realleah May. 24, 2011
    "Healthcare COSTS are the problem, not healthcare insurance. Insurance premiums are high because healthcare is expensive. The only ones that are going to profit from this "healthcare reform" are the insurance companies. The real issues (healthcare costs) are not being adequately addressed."
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    • +1 +3 -2 Mom of many Jun. 28, 2012
      "Actually, I would be interested to know where one could find the actual cost of anything with regards to health care. My neighbor and I each went to the same hospital for our mammograms within one week of each other. We are both self-employed and, therefore, privately self-insured. Her billed cost was $100 less than mine although she is older. The only difference was we had different insurance companies. We each ended up paying the same amount as a co-pay. When I asked friends who work for and vehemently defend insurance companies why this is the case and what the actual cost of a mammogram is, their reply was simply, "well, no one knows that." THAT is the problem. Hospitals bill what they feel will get them the income they need. Insurance companies collect premiums, pay a negotiated lower percentage of what they're billed (not the actual cost) and write off the inflated difference. Seems to me like it's the insurance companies who drive up the "costs" and are the root of the problem."
    • 0 +1 -1 Kandy Jan. 9, 2012
      "i hear that, did you know(letting you know i've worked med insurance for many years) the health care providers set their price w/the insurance companies based on the type of program they are enrolled in for instance PPO pays 1 rate HMO pays another and so on) then they make up the difference for the cut price rate by passing the price hike to the private pay and out of network patients which totally stinks, but that is the honest to God's truth..."
    • -1 +3 -4 Eclectic Observer Jul. 27, 2011
      "I don't see your point. There are provisions that attempt to address costs and certainly it talks to high administrative cost of insurance. The kind of regulatory and cost oversight that most countries with near universal/universal coverage have would take a lot of doing. The best thing we could have done would have been to set up some voluntary public option experiments that focused on what is cost effective care. Also our system is ridiculous about drugs and tests and procedures for the sake of procedures."
    • -2 +2 -4 denise Jun. 30, 2012
      "you couldn't be more wrong. Without HCR, insurance companies could impose lifetime limites, like 250K.Cancel your coverage if you should meet that lifetime limit. Now they can not. I urge you to read the legislation at healthcare.gov"
    • -3 0 -3 totallywickedone Jun. 23, 2012
      "Not only cost but the insurance itself is a huge problem for the american people. When I tried to get insurance I was completely denied due to a preexistence condition with my mental health. Even now health insurance is extremely terrible for help with what I need. I had to go though help with the my county and through a local college for help that I needed and now I couldn't be better but I had to pay out way more then with not only money but with time to get this type of help that I believe my health insurance should cover. Also I did not need to stay on medication because I got the one on one help that I needed that my health insurance now wouldn't even come close to cover. No one should profit from the illness of others. Whatever I have or may get should always be able to be taken care of by my insurance company."
  • +17 +35 -18 nanett conrad May. 26, 2011
    "If you have not listened to thirty minutes of the final mark up of the health reform bill you will not be making an informed decision on this issue. Below is the link of the timeline of the most important 30 minutes of this year long debate.http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/event.php?id=179436. Scroll down to 01:30:00 and listen until you reach 02:00:00 of the timeline. Then decide if either party has your best interest at heart. What you will hear is unethical at best. Personally I find all the misrepresentations,half-truths and lies of ommission by both democrats and republicans to be criminal..
    C-span should be required listening of all who vote!"
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    • -1 0 -1 nanett conrad May. 26, 2011
      "http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/event.php?id=179436
      c-span link to Nanett Conrad"
  • +9 +10 -1 glinda ludwick Nov. 2, 2012
    "How can it be constatutional to force someone to buy health care insurance when they can't afford food? My daughter and her husband can barely afford property taxes, car insurance, utilities. They were forced to cancel their home owners insurance because of cost. I subsidize all emergencies they encounter. They live from paycheck to paycheck without any luxuries. All this Act does is force me to pay yet another bill for them."
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    • 0 0 0 not a republican. Feb. 18, 2013
      "well then perhaps you should stick to the republican ideology of "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" and not pay for her anymore. tell her to pick herself up, because according to republicans she shouldn't need your help."
  • +6 +30 -24 Joe Kingley Jul. 29, 2011
    "I am amazed that your poll at the time of this post show responses to question 14 as 78% Yes - i.e. People have a right to healthcare. This attitude it why our country is in the economic state it it currently in, and why the rest of the world is rapidly going down the same path, albeit, slightly ahead of the USA. If you have a right to this, then you have a right to a home, food, income, car and everything else that makes life so comfortable. Note, I did not say "job" as so many think they have a right to government money without working for it. Life is a struggle, we have every right to help our families first and, with compassion, provide charitiy to those less fortunate. We do not have a right tosteal from one to give to another. Our less "religious" friends tout evolution, but deny a higher being; are against the death penalty but calmly murder unborn children and confiscate the fruits of their labor from those that are productive and give to those that are indolent. We should always protect those that are helpless, but not those who will not help themselves. You have no RIGHT to healthcare, just the right to freely seek life, liberty and the persuit of happiness without trampling on others or stealing that lawfully aquired."
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    • 0 +3 -3 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "Why do we say that all Americans have a "right" to an elementary education??? Yes, it does them some good (hopefully), but the real reason is not compassion for the individual. The real reason we've made that a "right" is because it's the smart thing for ALL of us. An educated populace is essential for society to prosper. It's easy to say things should be the way you're saying, but if you were to live in that kind of society I think you would feel very different."
    • -1 0 -1 response Feb. 18, 2013
      "It isn't about a "right". It is about doing what IS RIGHT for this society. A healthy populace means a better country. No one should have to fear becoming sick due to the high price of healthcare."
    • -6 0 -6 bob Mar. 27, 2012
      "This is an example of a "slippery slope" argument, which is a weak, anecdotal argument at best. As used above in this case it's a non argument since it's clear the author is pressing a religious agenda."
  • +4 +13 -9 David Apr. 22, 2012
    "You cant force people to buy into a privatized thing such as health care. I understand Obama is trying to help poorer Americans because he is a democrate but by doing so he is pushing America to a socialist society that has a congested health care and that any high school drop out hoodlum can get a free ride."
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    • -1 +3 -4 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "Obama isn't doing this just to help poor people. This helps ALL of us since every taxpayer is ALREADY paying for the uninsured. And this country would look very different if we didn't have the social safety net and other "redistributive" programs like the GI bill and Pell grants. It would be a much bleaker society."
  • +4 +21 -17 Thomas Aug. 1, 2011
    "Medical decisions need to be made between the doctor and the patient. Obamacare infringes on that right by forcing medical decisions through the government. It has too many hidden rules and regulations. If the goal was to provide more funding to people who need it, that could be done easily, but separately."
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    • 0 +2 -2 Sean Jan. 9, 2012
      "Wish this were reality. Decisions are now made between the doctor-insurer-patient; whether the insurer is private or public this is the formula."
    • -1 +1 -2 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "Incorrect. "Obamacare" maintains the profit based, insurance company run health care system we ALREADY have. (Which is what many liberals don't like about it BTW.) So it will still be the insurance company getting between you and your doctor, not the govt."
    • -2 0 -2 Justine Oct. 19, 2012
      "There were 33 attempts to pass this bill. If the Republicans weren't so against Obama/Democrats, they could have easily offered up a better alternative. Instead they ate up taxpayer money in an obstinate attempt to disrepect the seat of the presidency."
  • +3 +14 -11 Carlton Mar. 28, 2012
    "the health care law by president Obama is a socialist concept. the idea to have everyone pay for and receive only one kind of program is a socialism. with Obama Care it creates a system where people become more dependable on the government and less upon themselves. the fact comes down weather or not the health care plan "could" be "good" but if it is constitutional. in the constitution the government can not create a law that makes the people to force to buy anything and right now the supreme court is reviewing the law. this branch, the Judicial branch, has the power to review law and decide if its Constitution. what is best for the people is for the Government to stay within the Constitution, staying within what the Country was designed to be."
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  • +2 +4 -2 L B Anderson Oct. 20, 2012
    "I am new to procon.org. It sounds good. I particularly like item 5 in 'About us'. "Research done or vetted by experienced professionals". That is the kind of thing we need.

    Then I look at your "Top 10 Pros & Cons" and find no indication or research and vetting.

    To comment specifically on item number 6 "Medical Bankruptcy Prevention".

    When you look at government bankrucy reports you see that the criteria for declaring a bankrupcy 'medically caused' it is medical bills exceeding $5000. Other causes, such as loss of employment or home foreclosure could be many times greater, but if medical bills exceed $5000 it is declared a medical bankrupcy.I suggest this is the reason so many (62%) are declared medically related.To be blunt the process is skewed."
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  • +1 +1 0 sam Feb. 7, 2013
    "No matter which way you look at health care reform, having someone else spend your money for you results in waste."
    Reply
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  • +1 +8 -7 Richard Jun. 27, 2012
    "From my experience in being involved in healthcare government is ineffective in managing it's resources.
    If I had a medical issue getting things resolved, I believe, would be a nightmare with government run healthcare. How would I hold them accountable? What would be my recourse?"
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  • 0 +6 -6 no Aug. 26, 2012
    "The reason the United States ranks towards the bottom of all advanced nations in terms of any objective measurement of quality of health & healthcare, is there is too much profit at every stage of our medical system. How can people say medical marijuana must be non-profit but allow all the Pharma corporations & the hospital executives to profit to the tune of millions of dollars?"
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  • -1 0 -1 Young Con Mar. 21, 2013
    "'Merica."
    Reply
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  • -1 0 -1 Nico Roberto Mar. 7, 2013
    "Supports comunism"
    Reply
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  • -1 +1 -2 Desirae Koerner Jan. 10, 2013
    "What about us Americans who can not afford this oboma'care'. I could not afford health care before so it was my CHOICE not to have it, and now i'm being striped of my freedom, and told I must pay for something I have never used or needed in my life, let alone could afford along with my other bills? I will be paying for something I do not need so someone else can get health care and who takes advantage of the system. I am outraged! We now have a bunch of lazy, selfish, unintelegent democraps."
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    • 0 0 0 Corey May. 6, 2013
      "Under Obama Care, indigent citizens are provided with health care at no cost to them."
    • 0 0 0 thanks for trying Feb. 18, 2013
      "And what happens when YOU get sick? You go through the system and guess what, insured and responsible people are FORCED to pay for you via raised insurance premiums. So you will be paying for something that will be available to you, god forbid you should fall ill and need to pay. Think before you spew."
  • -1 +8 -9 Vincent Santalucia Jul. 10, 2012
    "how can one sign such a bill without first reading what is in the bill. it sounds like selling you soul to the devil"
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  • -1 +7 -8 Sparkie Jun. 29, 2012
    "Your article which outlines Admin. Costs of Medicare vs. Private Insurance firms is interesting but misses the mark. Yes, it's true Private Insurance firms have higher Admin... However, Private Health Inurance companies recoup this with medical management, utilizations management, contracting with providors, marketing costs, and cost cutting measures to increase benefits over and above what Medicare covers. Oh, and eeking out a 5% profit too. Can Obamacare do that?"
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  • -1 +6 -7 @LoudAmerican May. 21, 2012
    "It's not JUSTICE - it is JUST US!
    When the current admin started dishing out waivers - it became a forced issue where people on the right have little chance to get out from under it and those who were more likely to want it were taken out of the mix so they could not get it."
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  • -1 +22 -23 Dawn Jul. 29, 2011
    "I am tired of the government spending what little money I have for me. MANDATORY anything is not good for the economy and by the laws that are created to enforce MANDATORY it just creates a new definition of CRIMINAL. How many people are in jail today because they simply could not AFFORD MANDATORY car insurance? MANDATORY is just a new way for the government to turn the poor in this country into criminals. People that think these MANDATORY pickpocket laws are good have money and have never been poor. Most people can barely keep a roof over their head. They don't need the government taking more money they don't have from them."
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    • +2 +4 -2 Aaron Nov. 28, 2011
      "Have you ever been in a car accident involving an uninsured motorist? Have you ever been asked to pay the medical bills for an uninsured patient? If you've ever paid for insurance you have. When people don't have insurance and they require services or do damages someone else has to pay for it. That would be all of us who pay our premiums.

      No one is making people drive, or making them go to the hospital. The problem occurs when uninsured people use these "freedoms" we Americans enjoy and then expect others to pay their bills. A big reason why premiums are so high is because of the uninsured population. Someone has to pay their debt. It is far easier for the insurance companies to spread it out to all of their paying customers than it is to sue and collect when the uninsured likely have nothing of value to go after in the first place.

      The simple solution: No insurance, no use. That means no hospital visits and no driving (among other things).

      Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing for national health plans. However, it is time to stop letting people take advantage of those who work hard, abide by the laws, and yet manage to survive without welfare, handouts, and charity."
    • +1 +2 -1 Arizona Vet May. 8, 2012
      "I can't believe you find mandatory car insurance criminal. Do you honesty believe people should drive their cars, cause a wreck and then have no liability for the people and property they damaged? I sincerely hope I don't meet you on the highway. Sorry, but we have responsibilities in life, and caring about others is one of them."
    • 0 0 0 steve Nov. 14, 2012
      "If a person at fault in a car accident does not have insurance, who pays for the victim's costs? what if the victim needs surgery? ...... it is mandatory for a reason."
    • -2 0 -2 bob Mar. 27, 2012
      "Dawn: I would suggest you take a closer look at the ProCon site and attempt to understand it's premise. This debate needs clear thinking, not excessive capitalization of irrelevant points."
  • -1 +18 -19 Dan Groszkruger Jun. 23, 2011
    "The 2007 Massachusetts universal coverage law is similar to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Like the law in MA, PPACA will increase costs, created shortages of healthcare resources, and have no beneficial effect on population health, in general."
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  • -1 +22 -23 James May. 22, 2011
    "You can not force a second person to provide you with a service and then force a third person to pay for it."
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    • 0 0 0 Corey May. 6, 2013
      "You can't? Then how has welfare been around for so long?"
    • 0 +2 -2 Tim Sep. 30, 2011
      "education, fire, police...Would probably be more efficient if privatized. Take out the unions and the cost will even go down!!"
    • 0 +5 -5 Karen May. 23, 2011
      "Yes you can. It's called Public Education. And if you believe in the right to a free public education, then the lack of access to free (tax supported) basic health care is even more egregious."
    • -3 +2 -5 Michael May. 24, 2011
      "Would that include th police and fire departments? You understand, without going into the long list of people who provide you with a service that the taxpayers pay for."
  • -1 +26 -27 Arthur Apr. 27, 2011
    "Obama Care is the biggest sham going. The Government can't force a person to buy insurance or any other product from a private company! This bill is an insurance company bailout! The insurance companies and banks have invested in toxic derivatives that have eaten up their profits. Now, as in all fascist governments, they are askng taxpayers to bail them out...

    The IRS is the enforcer to make sure the insurance companies get their money, there will be the equivalent of death panels that will deny care to disabled, wheelchair bound seniors like myself...

    Obama and Pelosi could not care less about Americans getting adequate health care. They are beholden to the same interest that wrote the bill."
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    • 0 +1 -1 wendy Nov. 12, 2011
      "They can make you buy car insurance to drive your car. If people dont want to buy health insurance, they should not show up for treatment."
    • 0 +1 -1 duchene10000 Jul. 23, 2011
      "Wow, a death panel??? Really!!!"
    • -1 +2 -3 Joy Jul. 25, 2011
      "The Government forces us to buy car insurance? Hello?!?! Although each state has it's minimum coverage, it trickles down from the higher government authority. Each state needs to go by the minimum standards. So how can't they force us to have insurance again?"
    • -1 +3 -4 Arizona Vet May. 21, 2011
      "Wrong is every aspect. And what has bailouts got to do with healthcare? Then, let us know if you are denied care as you claim. The only problems with the new law are those the Republicans insisted on, then wouldn't vote for. If Obama had his original ideas used, we'd have a 100% run system like we now have in the VA. Which happens to be the best system in the world."
    • -3 +4 -7 Terri May. 9, 2011
      "For one thing, it's not called ObamaCare.

      And, of course, the Federal Government can force a person to buy insurance. They do it all the time.

      Medicare is mandatory. So is Social Security. They have both been ruled Constitutional enough times that it is now Case Law.

      BTW, the insurance company's do not need, nor have they needed in the past, to be bailed out."
  • -3 +12 -15 Armand Feb. 11, 2012
    "The heath care bill is the death of freedom. The government will now control our heath care, will literally control who lives or dies and when. Will have access to all our financial records and be able to reach into our personal accounts and take our money. Not even George Orwell contemplated a government as devious and controlling as this Obama administration."
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    • 0 +1 -1 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "This comment is a perfect example of the complete lunacy that plays a big role in the opposition to this bill. If you want to disagree with the bill on it's actual merits - fine. Lets' have that debate like adults. But please spare us this hyperbole: "death of freedom" "govt deciding who lives and dies" and they'll "take our money". LOL!!!! this stuff is just ridiculous!!! no further comment is needed."
  • -3 +13 -16 Kandy Jan. 9, 2012
    "this reform has cost me thousands of dollars!! it has made my deductible more than double, my out of pocket triple, my RX co pays go up $15 ea, go from 100% coverage to 80/20, my office visit co pays go from $15-$30 & $40, 0 hosp to $100, ER $50-$150, now I have to use a mail order RX instead of using my regular RX, I've lost my hardware coverage on my vision coverage. Just to start. I also have other co pays I never had before either. And I'm out on long term disability, on medicare, and can't have part-D and keep the coverage to cover my family. I have been totally screwed by this. I'm less than $50 dollars from qualifying for food stamps and medicaid. Yet, I'm forced now to pay out the nose. For a program to help the low income all you've done is destroy us!! you try living on less than 2,000 a month, and pay approx. 400 in RX a month, plus Dr. bills and raise a 16 yr old. See how far your money goes. TYSM for screwing the middle man again!!!"
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    • 0 +1 -1 Arizona Vet May. 7, 2012
      "Your cost keep going up because you are still insured by a private insurance company out to make a profit. The increases you speak of have nothing to do with the new law,
      only used by the private sector to increase your costs and increase their profits."
  • -4 +7 -11 Mariana Mar. 26, 2012
    "Total cost of Medicare: $600 billion/yr
    Estimates of fraud & abuse: 10% - 20%
    These programs spend substantially less than private insurers on ADMINISTRATIVE costs such as claims scrutiny and compliance with the regulatory requirements, and the losses due to the slack administration of the programs, and must be factored in as a direct administrative cost."
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    • -1 0 -1 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "The fact is that other countries with single-payer systems pay 1/10 of what we pay in administrative costs in our system."
  • -4 +13 -17 Linda L. Smith Oct. 29, 2011
    "I think this is going to affect all American's that have Medicare, making the quality of health care poor. I believe doctor's will not be paid on a timely basis and therefore not being able to provide the best care. I think there a parts of the health care reform that are positive, but overall I believe this is going to hurt American's."
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    • -1 0 -1 kandy Jan. 9, 2012
      "amen"
  • -6 +9 -15 Lou S Mar. 28, 2012
    "aNY TRUTH TO THE FOLLOWING? WHERE CAN I FIND IT WITHIN THE- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?
    > "The per person Medicare Insurance Premium will increase from the present Monthly Fee of $96.40, rising to:
    > $104.20 in 2012
    >
    > $120.20 in 2013
    >
    > And
    >
    > $247.00 in 2014."
    >
    > These are Provisions incorporated in the Obamacare Legislation,
    > purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 Re-Election Campaigns."
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    • +3 +4 -1 Arizona Vet May. 7, 2012
      "Totally wrong, period. There are no such provisions in the new law. This idea has been going around on email for months and is garbage. I would suggest you check FactCheck.com or read the law yourself. Viral emails is not the place to find correct information about anything."
    • 0 +1 -1 efk Jun. 25, 2012
      "It really is amazing how people read something in those chain emails and just believe it outright without any verification at all, and knowing nothing about the source of the "information"."
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