The U.S. Supreme Court ruling the Affordable Care Act constitutional took America out of the dark ages to join every other industrialized nation that provides its citizens affordable health care.
Many believed it was unconstitutional and, amazingly, unnecessary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared with other industrialized nations, although the U.S. is the wealthiest, we are the sickest.
On average, our citizens are more obese with the highest numbers of childhood obesity. Obesity is a major factor or cause in almost every life-threatening disease. Combine these statistics with the fact that our health care costs are double that of most industrialized nations and you have a recipe for disaster.
Consider that the federal government (taxpayers) was forced to pick up the tab, and you have a clear threat to national security.
The Affordable Care Act is not only constitutional, it is necessary. Yet some still see it as a bureaucratic attack on personal liberties and freedoms. The ACA requires us to claim personal responsibility for our health care when we're able to do so. Broadening the base of demand brings costs down.
Personal responsibility has longed been championed by those who oppose the ACA, yet when it is a civic obligation it suddenly becomes government overreach? No, it's nothing more than partisan hypocrisy.
President Barack Obama had the courage to agree with conservatives and ask Americans to take personal responsibility for their own health care. Obama brought the United States into the 21st century.
Tresa Taniguchi
Kihei
