Republicans Congregate in D.C. on 1st Anniversary of Obamacare

Next Wednesday, March 23, is the first anniversary of the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordability Act. Give that this health reform law is the biggest piece of social legislation since Medicare, you would think this would be cause of celebration for Democrats and for consternation for Republicans.

Not this year. The Democrats are mute. Maybe this is because of the unpopularity of the law. A Rasmussen poll on March 15 showed 62% want the Affordability Act repealed.

Republicans are converging on Washington from across the U.S. to hold events calling for its repeal. A Republican physician Congressman , Michael Burgess,M.D. of Texas, and physician Senators Tom Coburn, MD, of Oklahoma, and Pat Roberts of Kansas, and John Barasso, MD of Wyoming, are glad to lend a hand to the proceedings, which resemble a wake more than a birthday party.

A wag once said D.C. stands for “Darkness and Confusion.” This year for Republicans D.C. might stand for “Desecration and Condemnation.” Some of the events being held are book parties. Grace-Marie Turner, founder and president of the Galen Institute, and her three co-authors will appear at the National Press Club on March 24 to launch their book Why ObamaCare is Wrong for America, and on March 23, Congressman Michael Burgess will celebrate the release of his book, Doctor in the House: A Physician Turned Congressman Offers His Prescription for Scrapping Obamacare – and Saving America’s Health System.

Meanwhile Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, commenting on the first anniversary of Obamacare bill, issuing these figures in a press release. He did not give a time frame for these dire estimates.

∙ $2,100 in higher premiums;

∙ 800,000 fewer jobs;

∙ $118 billion in new unfunded state mandates;

∙ $311 billion in higher health care costs;

∙ $529 billion in Medicare cuts to fund new entitlement spending;

∙ $813 billion in new taxes;

∙ And $2.6 trillion in new federal spending.

From other Republicans there is a drumbeat of criticism citing negative ore questionable consequences flowing from the bill.

• Over 1000 waivers for union, corporations, and state adversely effected.

• Marketplace impacts, with insurers pulling out of individual , child, small group, and Medicare Advantage markets.

• Doctor shortages, particularly in the South and Mountain West states.

• Negative impacts on health care brokers.

• A growing movement for repeal,

• Protests from cash-strapped states unable to handle the new Medicaid burdens.

Some first anniversary. Some birthday party. I have scoured the Internet in search of Democratic events celebrating the first anniversary of Obamacare. So far I have come up empty. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid made some subdued, understated comments of praise, but nothing else. Maybe when you think you hold the aces, you don't feel a need to comment. I am confident events are being held to commemorate the positives of the law and its contributions to public welfare, but they are not getting any national publicity.