This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Trump administration promised they would dismantle the ACA (Obamacare) and encourage Congress to repeal it.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. It should never have been passed in the first place and it has been a disaster ever since, affecting many lives negatively, including mine.
However, it appears the Republicans feel obligated to "replace it" with some other government program. Not sure what they have in mind.
But I would strongly recommend that they don't replace it all. Just let this be returned to the free-market, where natural forces of competition take care of affordability and coverage.
No one has a right to medical care anyway. This is something that must be earned by individual effort and careful shopping.
The government surely is not obligated to provide it, as that is not its proper role.
As for having "all" health care covered by insurance, that opens up a Pandora's Box.
Medical insurance should only be for catastrophic occurrences, such as an accident, cancer, heart attack, stroke, serious illness. But never for routine and insignificant ailments.
Covering these is what has largely driven up the cost of health care. We have car insurance for accidents, loss or damage … but not for oil changes, tuneups and alignments.
People should pay for routine procedures (runny nose, scrapes, upset stomach, sinus infection, etc.) out of pocket. That encourages frugality and price competition and saves everyone money.
Please tell your congressmen you don't want any "replacement" for Obamacare. You just want the government out of the business completely.
James Green
Heber City