ObamaCare Healthcare: The Passing of the Healthcare Bill and the Nation's Reaction?

So, obviously I've fallen off the edge of the Earth for a while. But, I'm back now to fulfill your "news-seeking" needs. I know lots of news stories have come and gone in my absence. But, I feel one in particular should not be skipped or ignored. I must go back to this particular story, which in reality is still an ongoing development that will continue to be expanded upon as the months and years go on. It is something that will have to be perfected and will undoubtedly continue to be criticized as time goes on. The obvious story that I am speaking about has caused nothing but controversy and uproar across the nation. I am, of course, speaking of the much talked/argued/debated about (however you want to put it) the "finally passed" health care bill. So, unless you have been hiding under a rock for a few weeks (like me), you are well aware of this developing story.

   Obama was finally able to sign the bill into law, giving health care to all citizens or otherwise making health care insurance required by all. He signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with the strokes of 22 pens, to be exact. Many are stating that this bill is bringing our once democratic society into a very socialist one. So, this bill has absolutely caused much uproar, leading to a decline in Americans' approval ratings for Obama. The health care bill was finally pushed through the House and Senate. With some final touches, the Senators and Representatives who voted 'yes' were happy (to a certain extent).

   The bill is still obviously not 100% perfected and it will take until 2013/2014 for some provisions to be instated. Some are saying that this bill is in fact a good thing and that they should take their time to get it right. Others feel a bill should not be signed into law until everything is completely ready. While, others feel that this reform is a horrible thing for our country and could ultimately destroy everything that our nation stands for. House of Representatives, Republican John A. Boehner, stated that, "This is a somber day for the American people. By signing this bill, President Obama is abandoning our founding principle that government governs best when it governs closest to the people." But, Obama says that, "The bill I'm signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see. We are affirming that essential truth, a truth every generation is called to rediscover for itself, that we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations."
   Despite the passing and signature of our president, legislatives' work on this bill are not over, nor is the partisan opposition. Republicans opposed to the health care reform have not given up their fight and have taken on a new slogan, "repeal and replace." They hope to campaign overturning popular benefits in the bill among Americans, such as young people staying on their parents' health care plans until the age of 26.

   So, what does this health care bill address? Let's explore some of some of the areas in more detail. As I stated, a popular benefit is that young adults will continue to be covered under their parents' health care coverage until the age of 26 while living under their parents' roof. Additionally, the reform is expected to expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured. The uninsured and self-employed will be able to purchase insurance through a state-based exchange that has subsidies available to individuals and families with an income between the 133 and 400 percent of the poverty level. Small businesses would have separate exchanges to purchase which should go into effective in 2014. There will also be funding available to states in order to establish exchanges within one year of enactment until January 1, 2015. Families and individuals who make between 100 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and want to buy their own health insurance on an exchange are eligible for subsidies. Therefore, they aren’t eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and cannot be covered by an employer. Another element of the health care bill: tanning tax? Yep, with the reform their will be a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services. They have estimated that this reform will cost approximately $940 billion dollars over ten years and reduce the deficit by $143 billion over the first ten years and $1.2 trillion dollars in the second ten years.

   So, why is this health care reform bill getting so much backlash? In the end, people may find it to be a good thing for our nation. I mean, everyone is required to have car insurance, right? So, why shouldn't health insurance be? So, maybe everyone is in a frenzy over nothing. I guess only time will tell.