Consequences of ObamaCare Meeting 7 million Enrollment Goal

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishment – there are consequences.

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899): Some Reasons Why

The ObamaCare enrollment numbers are in.   The Obama administration has met its 7 million sign-up goal.

The consequences of this success are predictable.

·         Supporters are chortling and running victory laps.

·         Critics are grousing and saying the results are meaningless.

  

     Reactions of the two sides are reflected in this morning’s media headlines.

 

·         “Obama Says 7.1 Million Signed Up: Debate is Over, Law is Here to Stay.”  In other words, we won, you lost.

·         “Vulnerable Dems Still Worried.”  In other words, it’s not over until Fat Lady (or, the Old Gray Lady, The New York Times) sings.

·         Krauthammer, “7.1 M Is Phony Number.”  In other words, I know a phony number when I see one.

·         Carey; “ACA Achievement Has Critics ‘Gnashing Their Teeth.’”  In other words, GOP is  weeping and wailing.

·         “Polls: Public Still Opposed,”  In other words, the more things change, the more things remain the same.

·         “President Claims Victory in Push for Health Law.” In other words, take that, you losers."

·         “ObamaCare Is a Winning Bet for Democrats,” In other words, it’s a winning bet inside but not necessary below or outside the Beltway.

These headlines among the  chattering class  remind me of  Senator Ted Kennedy’s line in his eloquent speech at the 1980 Democratic convention:  

“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.”

In short, the dream of government-guaranteed universal  coverage has been re-energized.

The Republican rejoinder might read: 

“For all those whose freedoms and premiums have been our concern,  the opposition goes on, the resistance endures, the hope still lives and dream of repeal and replacement shall never die.”

In brief,   the dream of a market-driven middle-class-oriented health system lives on.

What will never die is the debate over the pros and cons of ObamaCare leading up to the November midterms.   

For the Democrats,  meeting the 7 million enrollment goal is a jolt in the arm. It  will energize the base.   

 For the Republicans, it is a setback, but it  will mobilize turnout and stiffen resistance to ObamaCare.   

Tweet:   President Obama and his administration are claiming victory over meeting its 7 million ObamaCare enrollment goal, but Democrat candidates  are not so sure.