General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Krugman: Rumors of a Deal (WTF?) - updated [View all]BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)way, possibly opening when the exchanges open. The Heritage Foundation has warned that the U.S. Gov't supported health policies will materialize as "a robust public option".
You, of course, are thinking of the time when we had nothing to replace it with or strengthen it other than overpriced, sub-par sick insurance. This is no longer true, thanks to the PPACA.
And you agree with me, at least, that Medicare isn't the problem. The astronomical costs of our health care is and that's where the president is focused on, if his past policies are any indication. Let's try to remember this, at least.
Barack Obama's Record on the Social Compact: {courtesy of The People's View}
1) This president enacted the largest expansion of the social safety net since Medicare. By enacting the Affordable Care Act, he established a public responsibility in paying for health insurance for those who cannot afford it, and enacted the largest health care subsidies in American history.
2) This president lengthened the life of the Medicare trust fund by eight years, also through reforms made in Obamacare. As noted above, the reforms also increased benefits in Medicare.
3) And once again through the Affordable Care Act, the president massively expanded Medicaid, by 2014 making anyone in poverty eligible for it.
4) This president signed into law the largest expansion of SCHIP, the children's health insurance program, adding 4 million children to the rolls.
5) This president expanded school lunches, Pell grants, student loans - the programs that help the less fortunate reach for opportunity and success.
Considering the unprecedented obstructionism he's had to deal with while fighting for the above, I trust he's not going to sell us out now.