In classic fashion, a Democrat representative is flabbergasted by basic economics. This week, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire seemed genuinely puzzled about why Obamacare is making health coverage more expensive. It’s baffling to see such a lack of awareness from someone in her position. Let’s be clear: Obamacare increases demand for healthcare but doesn’t bother to increase supply. It’s like inviting the whole town over for dinner but forgetting to cook enough food!
The core problem with the Affordable Care Act is it stretches our healthcare system beyond its limits. Millions jump on board the program, but supply doesn’t magically expand. Doctors don’t pop out of thin air, hospitals don’t expand overnight, and equipment isn’t conjured up out of nothing. Basic economics tells us that when demand goes up but supply stays stagnant, prices skyrocket. And skyrocket they have! Try explaining that, and the repair sometimes seems hidden beneath veils of ideology rather than reality.
It’s mind-boggling that some Congressional Democrats can’t, or won’t, grasp this simple concept. It’s all well and good to want everyone to be covered, but the ACA’s approach has only succeeded in making things worse by driving premiums through the roof. Now, look at the numbers: since 2014, the ACA has caused premiums to rise by an outrageous 129 percent for the typical enrollee. All this, despite claims that the ACA was supposed to make healthcare more affordable. What a joke!
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if politicians pushing these policies actually understood the ripple effects of their well-intentioned plans? You can’t just wish for a better healthcare system without doing the hard work to build a sustainable solution. Empty promises and good intentions might sound nice, but they don’t pay the bills, doctor’s visits, or prescriptions.
Seems some people in Congress should hit the books and learn a little about economics before making decisions that affect millions of Americans. Is it too much to expect our lawmakers to understand the basics of supply and demand? Or is it just another case of the blind leading the blind?
Source: Townhall
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