OPINION

The Register's Editorial: Five years later: 16.5 million reasons to back Obamacare

The Register's Editorial

The Affordable Care Act became law in 2010. Five years later, the country has seen the largest drop in the number of uninsured Americans since the Johnson administration. About 16.4 million Americans have obtained coverage, a new report says. The law expands Medicaid to more poor people, allows young adults to remain on their parents' plans and gives Americans help buying private coverage.

Obamacare is doing what it intended to do: provide something as basic as health coverage to people in a civilized, wealthy country.

Yet Republicans continue to try to repeal and dismantle the law. They want Americans to believe that if it fails, their party will miraculously deliver a comprehensive plan to replace it. Where is their plan that will deliver coverage to millions of Americans?

It wasn't rolled out during the many years Republicans held majorities in Congress. It wasn't unveiled during the 20 years of Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush and George W. Bush. Conservative lawmakers refused to adopt President Bill Clinton's health reforms while offering nothing viable to replace it.

The reforms they do advocate are practically worthless. Capping financial damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits won't get a single American health insurance. Selling coverage across state lines doesn't help someone with a pre-existing medical problem. It is difficult to "shop" for the best deal in care with your health savings account when you're being rushed into emergency heart surgery.

Though not perfect, Obamacare is the reason 16.5 million more Americans have gained health insurance coverage. The law has also cost less than originally projected and improved the financial solvency of Medicare. Hospitals located in states that chose to expand Medicaid faced about $5 billion less in unpaid patient bills last year. Providers who serve the poor are now being paid.

These are the facts about the health reform law, whether opponents acknowledge them or not.