Contrary to conservative talking points, the Affordable Care Act is far from socialism
Although I’m aware that healthcare is a serious topic and a good number of Americans are in dire need of it, I can’t help but laugh when conservatives, Republicans and Tea Baggers refer to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as socialist. I got news for them, Obamacare is not a socialist program. In fact it is quite the opposite.
Speaking as a Canadian with socialized medicine I can tell you there is a world of difference between what Democrats passed a few years ago and what Canadians have enjoyed for fifty years.
Socialism is: “a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies.”
According to Greg Pason, the national secretary for Socialist Party USA; “The ACA program relies on private health insurance companies to manage health services. A socialized system would not include ‘health insurance,’ but would be an actual national health-care system which would be publicly funded through progressive taxation.”
Naturally, Pason is bang on. Anyone who lives in a country with socialized medicine could tell you the difference in a heartbeat. I’m certain most politicians in congress are aware of the difference too, even Republicans. After all, you could call Obamacare a Republican brainchild.
As a matter of fact, the ACA is closer to fascism if you go by Benito Mussolini’s disputed definition of it. “Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.” Obamacare therefore, sounds right up Republican alley to me.
The Affordable Care Act is a program where private insurance plans are sold in a very competitive market. A competitive market that didn’t exist much before Obamacare came around. I understand that people can no longer be denied coverage, but they still have to shop for insurance and private corporations will still profit off their health.
In Canada, there are no insurance plans. I carry a card that guaranties me free health services wherever I go in the country, even though Medicare is regulated by the provinces with financial backing from the federal government. My taxes are a little higher sure, but I don’t have to go shopping and the only one who profits off my health is me. See the difference?
As a democratic socialist, I don’t like the ACA. On the other hand as a human being I understand the need for it. It’s much better than the status-quo and it does open the door to a single payer system down the line. If you are curious enough to dig deeper on the differences between universal care and the ACA, check out this article in the Globe and Mail.
Now, I’m not writing this to compare health care systems or brag in any way. I bet if you asked people with universal healthcare whether the United States is better off with or without Obamacare, the majority would say Americans are better off.
No, I’m writing this so that every democrat, liberal and progressive has something to send to their ignorant conservative rivals who persist on preaching the bull-shit socialism of Obamacare. The same people who would champion this law if only they were in office. It’s time to start putting to rest the lies the right-wing has been spreading for the last three years. Use it if you need it!
This is a great article pointing out facts, but showing this to a conservative “friend” would not even convince them that the ACA is not socialized medicine. These people are so gone that you can’t open their eyes with a crowbar… You can lead republicans to facts, but you can’t make them think. This is my new motto! Lol. Nice, informative article though!
A couple of points. 1. We have socialized health care in Canada, not socialized medicine. If we had socialized medicine, I wouldn’t be paying out of pocket over $100 every month for medications. BTW, I’m on a disability pension, and $100 is a little less than a fifth of my monthly income, so it’s a lot of money for me to shell out. 2. Your provincial health care card does not entitle you to health care services anywhere you go in the country. It entitles you to health care services in your own province. if you travel outside of your province and need health care services, you will need permission from your home province, as they will need to approve payment. If you move to another province, you must live in the province for 3 months before you can even apply for a new provincial health care card, so for those first 3 months, you do not have access to health care services.
Socialized medicine is a term used for universal healthcare, not prescription drugs. Even still, some provinces do cover up to 80% of your medication costs if you aren’t covered by your employer. When you travel outside the province you can still use you own province’s medicare card most of the time. the worst possible scenario is you get reimbursed when you return home, either way service can not be denied. If you decide to move, all you need to do to remain covered is let the province know you’re moving and you’ll remain covered for up to three months (when you can apply for a new card in your new province).
The point is, no matter where you are in Canada, you can’t be denied care and you’ll never pay a dime. They don’t call it universal healthcare for nothing. If you want more facts look up the Canada Health Act http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/faq-eng.php