Last week the Supreme Court were hearing oral arguments about the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, Monday through Wednesday I spent my mornings outside the Supreme Court protesting in favor of the legislation. If you want an idea of the protestors on both sides, John Stewart has a wonderful clip on it. Every day there were hundreds of people from all walks of life outside the court showing their support. We were not alone. We had company from Tea Partyers who did nothing but amused me. They really are a special group of individuals. Never have I seen so much American flag clothing.
If you haven't been following the ACA, I'll try to break it down for you. Obviously, I am biased so take that into account. Those who are opposed to the ACA see it as a violation of the Constitution because of the individual mandate that requires everyone to buy health insurance. Some people also see it as a violation of religious liberty, because they believe it makes religious institutions and churches pay for contraception and abortion. This is false. Churches and places of worship are exempt, and religious institutions' insurance providers have to pay for contraception. Those who are for it see it as equality. Insurance companies can no longer drop people with pre-existing conditions or charge women more for the same coverage. Obviously, this is a very narrow breakdown, and it is more complicated than this, but overall, I think it is a very good piece of legislation. It is by no means perfect, but it is a great starting point.
If you haven't been following the ACA, I'll try to break it down for you. Obviously, I am biased so take that into account. Those who are opposed to the ACA see it as a violation of the Constitution because of the individual mandate that requires everyone to buy health insurance. Some people also see it as a violation of religious liberty, because they believe it makes religious institutions and churches pay for contraception and abortion. This is false. Churches and places of worship are exempt, and religious institutions' insurance providers have to pay for contraception. Those who are for it see it as equality. Insurance companies can no longer drop people with pre-existing conditions or charge women more for the same coverage. Obviously, this is a very narrow breakdown, and it is more complicated than this, but overall, I think it is a very good piece of legislation. It is by no means perfect, but it is a great starting point.
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