Affordable Care Act
Controversial Affordable Care Act: Good or bad?
Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed in to law by President Obama on 23rd March, 2010 and the Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace just opened on 1st October, 2013. Some people disagree with this new law by saying that Obamacara would increase taxes and Obama is socialist. Is Obamacare really bad for American people? I think that Obamacare has more advantages than disadvantages for several reasons.
First of all, the universal health care system can safeguard the lives of citizens and make the country better place to live. In Japan, since 1961, the government has provided the universal health care system, which allows virtually all access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services at an affordable cost. Patients have responsibility for 30 % of their medical costs while the government pays the remaining 70%. Many Japanese people usually do not worry too much about how much they have to pay their medical costs. Even some people may not appreciate the system because having health insurance is considered normal in my country. In fact, I had taken it for granted until I entered my university to study pharmacy. As a Japanese and pharmacist, it is hard to believe that tens of thousands of people in the US are dying each year because they do not have health insurance. Obamacare can provide coverage to virtually all of them. Do the Republicans want to stop it and let them die? I think that American people need this law for better life.
In addition, I think Obamacare will help to curb the growth in healthcare spending and create a virtuous cycle in the long run. Although Japanese people spend about half (8% of GDP) as much on health care as do American people, we still live healthier and longer than Americans. Of course, our health and longevity would be explained by several different factors such as dietary habit, but I think that one of the main reasons is the fact that
Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed in to law by President Obama on 23rd March, 2010 and the Health Insurance Exchange Marketplace just opened on 1st October, 2013. Some people disagree with this new law by saying that Obamacara would increase taxes and Obama is socialist. Is Obamacare really bad for American people? I think that Obamacare has more advantages than disadvantages for several reasons.
First of all, the universal health care system can safeguard the lives of citizens and make the country better place to live. In Japan, since 1961, the government has provided the universal health care system, which allows virtually all access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services at an affordable cost. Patients have responsibility for 30 % of their medical costs while the government pays the remaining 70%. Many Japanese people usually do not worry too much about how much they have to pay their medical costs. Even some people may not appreciate the system because having health insurance is considered normal in my country. In fact, I had taken it for granted until I entered my university to study pharmacy. As a Japanese and pharmacist, it is hard to believe that tens of thousands of people in the US are dying each year because they do not have health insurance. Obamacare can provide coverage to virtually all of them. Do the Republicans want to stop it and let them die? I think that American people need this law for better life.
In addition, I think Obamacare will help to curb the growth in healthcare spending and create a virtuous cycle in the long run. Although Japanese people spend about half (8% of GDP) as much on health care as do American people, we still live healthier and longer than Americans. Of course, our health and longevity would be explained by several different factors such as dietary habit, but I think that one of the main reasons is the fact that