If you read the pundits, you will learn of various technical, economic, or legal reason for and against Obamacare. The fact is it is too early to prove or disprove many of those positions. Paul Krugman declares success already ignoring the unproven aspects of the Law.
What worries me is far easier to understand. It boils down to misleading people, playing on emotional desires and luring people into a false sense of security. The two most dangerous words are “affordable” and “free” and those people and elements of government that throw those words about for political gain are irresponsible.
Take note of this excerpt from a Health and Human Services press release. I admit this is my favorite gripe because there is no logical reason for contraceptives to be “free” when there are so many more important, life saving drugs that all require some co-payment. If women saved half a billion dollars on the pill, who paid that money? I know the answer, do you?
The rest of the press release talks about other preventive services that are also “free” for no logical reason. None of this is based on means testing or need, but on politics.
So what is the problem? The real problem, which everyone will realize in a few years, is that creating the illusion of “free” by shifting costs to others and by making something “affordable” simply by subsidizing it is a house of cards not unlike no downpayment and interest only mortgages.
While we worry about creating jobs, improving education and more, we spend $500,000,000 a year so women can spend their money on anything other than their own contraceptives. This mindset is what is most dangerous about Obamacare and those who support such social engineering
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2014Affordable Care Act helps 76 million Americans with private coverage access free preventive services.
Women save nearly $500 million on oral contraception out-of-pocket costs
See full press release here
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 