Obamacare is working

Working people, ages 27 to 64, who have a small business or work for one, need the Affordable Care Act.

My son and his wife each have a small business and have benefited from the ACA, saving $300 per month each from the cost of private insurance.

Medicare covers everyone over age 64, and Medicaid covers very low-income people. Disability benefits help those who are disabled. Active and retired military are covered. Large companies cover their workers. State and local governments cover teachers, city and county employees, and elected officials. Who is left out? Workers.

The Affordable Care Act was a step toward universal health care. The ACA pressed for expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income families; it subsidized others. In the states that accepted this program, mostly paid by the federal government, health improved and costs were more stable. South Carolina did not take part.

Workers with no coverage and companies that do not comply are fined. (The fines pay for their hospital care, when needed.) To avoid this penalty, they buy low-cost insurance with high deductibles ($4,000 or more). Those who develop cancer, etc., cannot afford the deductible and/or care. This and other weaknesses need to be reworked.

Removing the insurance industry from the control of our health would be a great help. California plans to do this. It is more realistic to hope that the Senate will improve the system that is in place. It is working.

This story was originally published August 13, 2017 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Obamacare is working."