USW International President Leo W. Gerard and progressive talk show host Leslie Marshall this week discussed the overwhelming popularity of the Affordable Care Act and the lies Republican leaders continue to tell in an attempt to undermine it.
“Americans who were able to be a part of the Affordable Care Act like it,” said Gerard. Individual provisions, like the expansion of dependent coverage and the elimination of lifetime caps, have been especially well-received.
Republicans, however, continue to cling to their misrepresentations of the law, even if it means sacrificing the health and wellbeing of their constituents.
“They’re so detached from reality and so detached from the truth that they’ll say or do anything,” said Gerard. “There are no death panels. People are paying their premiums.” Even large corporations that offer insurance to hundreds of workers are seeing savings as healthcare costs decline, said Gerard.
Most importantly, the Affordable Care Act will save lives. Data from Massachusetts, which passed a similar healthcare law in 2006, shows a marked decrease in mortality. “When we’ve got this on a national level,” said Gerard, “think of the many, many lives it’s going to save.”
Click the audio to hear the full discussion.
Background articles:
Americans show strong support for Obamacare provisions, including Medicaid expansion
Mortality Drop Seen to Follow ’06 Health Law