The Affordable Care Act: What’s the Right Thing to Do?

July 3, 2012 · Leave a comment

Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH

The United States Supreme Court finally rendered its ruling on 2010’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), finding that its so-called mandate was indeed constitutional, inasmuch as the government is free to place a tax on U. S. citizens. While many thought that resting on the power of the federal government to control interstate commerce was the legal approach to move this law forward, the justices deemed that while the mandate was not a valid use of this power, the government can impose any tax it deems appropriate.

Unfortunately, all of this amounts to jockeying by our duly-elected officials in Washington, as they play election-year political football with subject matter that is of critical importance to the citizens of this country. The nine justices are even getting into the election game by suggesting that the government’s insistence upon everyone being covered by some form of health insurance can be implemented by imposing a tax on those that refuse to abide by the law. This ruling, especially in the manner that Chief Justice John Roberts articulated his concurrence with the majority opinion, easily permits the Act to be used as a target in the coming election by having either party debate the issue of a tax. Almost everyone is missing the point of this and other reforms ... read more »

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