By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent polling data reveals a surge in public approval for the Affordable Care Act, with 57% of US adults now approving of the law, marking a record high since 2012. This increase in approval is primarily driven by Independents, who largely support the ACA. The poll, conducted during the government shutdown, also found strong support for federal funding to assist hospitals with medical costs for uninsured individuals, although support diminishes significantly when including those residing in the country illegally.
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Obamacare, or as it’s officially known, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is enjoying a surge in popularity, and that’s the main takeaway from recent polls. It’s almost a case of the more people understand what the ACA actually *does* for them, the more they tend to like it. And here’s the kicker: even those who might initially express reservations or dislike for anything associated with a particular political party are often pleasantly surprised to discover they’re already benefiting from it. It’s a pretty fascinating paradox, really.
The ACA’s impact is evident in the fact that it made it possible for many to get health care. For those who have utilized the ACA, there’s a sense of security that was missing before. The ACA, while not perfect, provided coverage to those who needed it the most and helped to cover those with pre-existing conditions. It’s a fundamental element of a modern society. Public healthcare helps prevent public health epidemics, including the opiate crisis, addictions, obesity-related illnesses, and rising cancer numbers. It’s truly better than nothing.
The irony is thick. Remember the debates? The fear-mongering? The claims of “death panels”? Yet, here we are, with people increasingly reliant on the marketplace and finding that, surprisingly, it’s pretty helpful. It turns out that government services, especially those that we all pay for, can actually work for the people. This is especially true when you consider the alternative: going back to a system where hospital visits are cash-only, and where pre-existing conditions could leave you stranded. The ACA brought about change in that respect.
What’s also striking is how people sometimes get caught up in the political theater and forget the basics. The ACA offers a safety net. The maximum out-of-pocket limit, though still high, at least provides some predictability. It’s not perfect, but it is a step forward, and most people, when asked, would be hard-pressed to deny that it has improved things. The ACA is not the cure-all, but the alternative is far worse.
The fact is, even when people might personally dislike Obamacare, they often don’t want it abolished when they realize what’s at stake. It’s a sign of the current political environment, where people have been brainwashed into believing that the government doesn’t exist to take care of its populace. Some conservatives, regardless of their financial status, tend to reject socialist redistribution of wealth and therefore, find issue with the ACA. However, many see the benefits of the ACA, and its popularity is soaring.
The ACA isn’t perfect, of course. Many long for a system with more universal coverage, perhaps even a national healthcare system. The ideal goal is a system where healthcare is considered a right. The reality is that we’re dealing with the world as it is, and right now, the ACA is what we have. While the ACA isn’t the complete answer, it is a vast improvement over what preceded it.
So, how did we get here? How did the ACA become, in many ways, a victim of its own success? Well, the political messaging around it has played a huge role. Labeling it “Obamacare” – which Republicans did from the start – was a strategic move to demonize it and associate it with a particular political figure and party. It shows how much folks rely on it when they actually use it.
When people depend on the ACA, they realize the benefits of having a secure, affordable healthcare plan, and they don’t want it to be messed with. It’s what many people need to stay insured, and without the ACA, it would be much harder for a large portion of the population. Those on the wrong side of the ACA will only be left with medical debt. The ACA is the only possible solution at the moment.