Health Law Turns Four; Latino Support Tumbles
Health Law Turns Four; Latino Support Tumbles
Supporters Need to be Honest With the People
(Washington, D.C.) – This Sunday, March 23, marks the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. According to new poll data, the Latino community – which is being counted on to support the law financially and originally supported the law – is now split on the new system. Less than 6 months ago – before enrollment began – 61 percent of Latinos approved of the health care law. Now just 47 percent do. Overall, 53 percent of Americans now disapprove.
There remain major ongoing challenges for the new system. Millions are frustrated that the law cancelled plans they liked, despite promises by the president to the contrary. The government is investigating the failures of a number of state-level exchanges. Rates are set to spike in year two, even as insurers losing money attempt to claim federal bailouts. A number of lawsuits are currently moving through the courts, and more are possible as the Administration continues to make changes. Doctors are concerned the law leaves them stuck with higher costs while seniors are seeing cuts to their care programs. It's no wonder that former Speaker Pelosi – who pushed the law through Congress – appears to be trying to re-brand it, years after enactment.
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:
"As the ACA turns four and the Administration continues to tout the law and ignore its negative impacts, it's clear that the American health care system needs reform. Too many are uninsured and too many cannot afford the care they need. The problem is that this massive new health care regime – which is costing taxpayers $2 trillion – is actually making things worse. Latinos liked the idea of the law much more than they like the reality – as polls clearly show.
Supporters claim to want to fix the law, but how does one fix an inherently unworkable law run by bureaucrats and replete with anti- market price controls that stifle competition? The President is offering nothing but band-aids that may be making things worse, and the Senate refuses to consider legislation to change the health care law in even the smallest way. It's time for them to back up their rhetoric. The American people deserve real health care solutions, not politically self-serving lies."
For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 703-678-4581 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173.
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