Posted 10:27 pm Friday, July 13, 2012
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A Republican Idea, July 13
Many people don’t realize the long history of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here is an overview: It started during the George W. Bush administration in the form of a grant to then-Gov. Mitt Romney in Massachusetts; Romney was the Republican Governor in a heavily Democratic commonwealth who brought in federal dollars; the grant was to underwrite most of the expenses of getting a public health care bill written and implemented; and the model that was developed was intended to act a the blue print of a Federal program.
In Massachusetts the largest and most prestigious hospitals and health experts participated in the development of RomneyCare. This program is doing exceedingly well for both providers and customers.
Not once during the long, contentious political wrangling did you hear a major medical institution or professional association decry the ACA. Why? Simply put, it works. Hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors are getting paid. Insurance companies still make money. How? Again, simply put, there was so much extra money floating around in the system that belt-tightening wasn’t painful. Eight years after its implementation, improvements continue — and, hopefully, they too will be a model for modifications to the ACA.
Mike McDermott
Tyler
In Massachusetts the largest and most prestigious hospitals and health experts participated in the development of RomneyCare. This program is doing exceedingly well for both providers and customers.
Not once during the long, contentious political wrangling did you hear a major medical institution or professional association decry the ACA. Why? Simply put, it works. Hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors are getting paid. Insurance companies still make money. How? Again, simply put, there was so much extra money floating around in the system that belt-tightening wasn’t painful. Eight years after its implementation, improvements continue — and, hopefully, they too will be a model for modifications to the ACA.
Mike McDermott
Tyler
