Dr. Paul Hsieh on the next PR campaign touting Obamacare:
The battle over ObamaCare will reignite soon, and the next front will be the war for public opinion. The American public remains deeply skeptical of the new law. Many Americans say they will not sign up for insurance in the new “exchanges” scheduled to open October 1, 2013. As a result, the Obama administration is preparing a high-profile public relations blitz to again sell the law to the public.
Here are 4 talking points ObamaCare advocates will attempt to promote — and 4 questions Americans should ask in response.
1) “Free” benefits
One of the supposed selling points of the new law will be “free” benefits, such as “free” birth control, well-woman visits, STD (sexually transmitted disease) prevention counseling, and a variety of preventive services.
Of course, nothing is “free.” Others will have to pay for these services in the form of increased insurance premiums or higher taxes. If anyone touts “free” benefits, we should ask, “Who is really paying for them? And what else could they be doing with their own money if they weren’t compelled to do so?”
2) “Coverage”
One of the goals of ObamaCare is near-universal “coverage.” But “coverage” is not the same as actual medical care. The American Medical Association predicts a “silent exodus” of physicians as ObamaCare is phased in, worsening the already existing physician shortage.
The New York Times notes the already growing disconnect between theoretical “coverage” and actual medical care in parts of California: “Patients still get care, but the process is often slow and difficult. In Riverside, it has left residents driving long distances to doctors, languishing on waiting lists, overusing emergency rooms and even forgoing care.” These problems will worsen under ObamaCare.
Read the full piece here.
The battle over ObamaCare will reignite soon, and the next front will be the war for public opinion. The American public remains deeply skeptical of the new law. Many Americans say they will not sign up for insurance in the new “exchanges” scheduled to open October 1, 2013. As a result, the Obama administration is preparing a high-profile public relations blitz to again sell the law to the public.
Here are 4 talking points ObamaCare advocates will attempt to promote — and 4 questions Americans should ask in response.
1) “Free” benefits
One of the supposed selling points of the new law will be “free” benefits, such as “free” birth control, well-woman visits, STD (sexually transmitted disease) prevention counseling, and a variety of preventive services.
Of course, nothing is “free.” Others will have to pay for these services in the form of increased insurance premiums or higher taxes. If anyone touts “free” benefits, we should ask, “Who is really paying for them? And what else could they be doing with their own money if they weren’t compelled to do so?”
2) “Coverage”
One of the goals of ObamaCare is near-universal “coverage.” But “coverage” is not the same as actual medical care. The American Medical Association predicts a “silent exodus” of physicians as ObamaCare is phased in, worsening the already existing physician shortage.
The New York Times notes the already growing disconnect between theoretical “coverage” and actual medical care in parts of California: “Patients still get care, but the process is often slow and difficult. In Riverside, it has left residents driving long distances to doctors, languishing on waiting lists, overusing emergency rooms and even forgoing care.” These problems will worsen under ObamaCare.
Read the full piece here.
