ZD#3 THE HEATLH CARE DEBATE IN THE UNITED STATES
DR Z: HAVE YOU READ ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE IN THE UNITED STATES?
DR. NURUL: I HAVE READ A LITTLE ABOUT IT BUT AM NOT FOLLOWING IT VERY CLOSELY.
DR. Z: WELL, THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE SUPREME COURT IN
THE UNITED STATES WILL HEAR A CASE BROUGHT FORWARD BY 26 STATES TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE HEALTH CARE LAW.
DR. Z: WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?
DR. Z: WELL, THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS THAT THE NEW LAW REQUIRES EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. THIS IS CALLED THE “INDIVIDUAL MANDATE”. IF PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER THEY MUST BUY IT THEMSELVES OR PAY A FINE. SOME PEOPLE ARGUE THAT THE CONGRESS EXCEEDED ITS AUTHORITY. THEY ARGUE THAT THE CONGRESS DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL TO BUY A COMMERCIAL PRODUCT.
DR N: I THINK I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICS INVOLVED ALSO. IS THAT CORRECT?
DR. Z: YES, FOR SURE! THE NAME OF THE LAW IS “THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT” BUT I HAVE READ THAT THE REPUBLICANS CALL IT “OBAMACARE” AND NEVER USE THE CORRECT NAME OF THE LAW WHEN THEY DISCUSS IT. THEY CONSISTENTLY MOCK THE LAW BY CALLING IT “OBAMACARE”.
DR N: THAT IS NOT A VERY GOOD SIGN.
DR. Z: YES AND THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE IDEA OF AN INDIVIDUAL MANDATE WAS ORIGINALLY A REPUBLICAN IDEA. TWO OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTAL NOMINATION ----MITT ROMNEY AND NEWT GINGRICH---PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF AN INDIVIDUAL MANDATE. NOW THEY OPPOSE IT. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE UNITED SUPREME COURT DECIDES THIS CASE. THE DECISION WILL BE MADE BEFORE THE NEXT PRESIDENTAL ELECTION AND MAY HAVE A BIG IMPACTON THE ELECTION.
DR N: SO HOW WILL THE DECISION IMPACT THE ELECTION?
DR. Z. NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE BUT IF THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS THE LAW ALL THE DEMOCRATS ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY UPSET AND ALL COME OUT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA NEXT NOVEMBER.
DR. N: THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW.
