To Repeal Obamacare or Not — First Develop an Understanding

PPACA, popularly known as Obamacare, started out as a reform but was transformed into a law when it was signed by the concerned authorities on May 23rd, 2010. Expected to be implemented over a period of ten years beginning 2010, the main intention underlying its creation is to make available healthcare at affordable rates to all citizens of America. Since the main objective of this law is to reduce healthcare costs in the long run, why is it that people are asking to repeal Obamacare? Another point of view has declared Obamacare unconstitutional and has left no stone unturned in creating awareness pertaining to these facts.  

 

Whether or not it is justified to repeal Obamacare is a decision that should be taken only after having gained a thorough cognizance of its main provisions. To label Obamacare unconstitutional every component of the reform needs to be closely examined so that the decision taken is educated and well thought of rather being based simply on whims and rumors. The first and foremost provision of PPACA is that all American citizens who are not currently covered by health insurance of any kind must purchase one is a priority. Failure to do so would lead to tax penalty which the defaulter should be prepared for.

 

Because the plan is going to be implemented from 1st January, 2014, onwards, any individual who purchases a plan after this date would come under the rule of the individual mandate. This means that anyone and everyone irrespective of age, gender, caste, race or ethnicity must possess a health insurance policy at uniform premium level. Those who have raised their voices to repeal Obamacare have put forth the opinion that it is this provision that deems Obamacare unconstitutional. The argument that they put forth is that Americans would be, by law, obliged to buy a health insurance policy whether they want to do so or not.

 

However, in spite of the pressure to repeal Obamacare, there is a positive side to this program that renders it flexible. As per this provision, each American state will conduct its own health insurance exchange program wherein citizens will be allowed the leeway to compare various health insurance coverage. In this way, they would be able to decide which one is most suitable for them and accordingly make a purchase. If the ruling authority of the state so decides, it can refuse to apply the plan and choose to waive which goes on to prove that with Obamacare unconstitutional is not the right term after all.

 

American citizens who regard Obamacare unconstitutional must also bear in mind that there are tax waivers and subsidies for certain brackets based on income and employment. Even small businesses can apply for a subsidy if they buy the health insurance policy through the exchange offer. For firms that employ more than 50 people and do not offer health insurance to their employees, there will be a shared responsibility amount that would be levied. But many people are raising their voice to repeal Obamacare because they feel that in spite of all the deductions, it would still be difficult for individuals and businesses to pay regular premium.

 

Children are also covered under PPACA and can remain as add-ons to their parent’s policies till they are 26 years of age. Then there is removal of coverage limits on the plan that would be totally removed and restructuring of reimbursement schemes which is in the wings. Critics maintain that this complete overhaul of the existing system will only lead to chaos which is why they are clamoring ‘repeal Obamacare’. They feel that because this new structure would also call for a new tax burdens on the tax payers and businesses they wish to render Obamacare unconstitutional.   

 

 

What could be the reasons that people regard Obamacare unconstitutional and hence are opposing it? Those who feel this way are so strongly convinced that they have been asking to repeal Obamacare being totally unmindful of the various benefits that it is due to provide.