Apocalypse, Armageddon, or Just Plain Politics

Wild, dark times are rumbling towards us, and the prophet who wishes to write a new apocalypse will have to invent new beasts.

Heinrich Heine (1797-1846), German romantic poet

Obama Care supporters and critics alike are projecting an image of Apocalypse, of Armageddon, the final battle between Good and Evil, with Evil winning, if the Supreme Court rules against federal exchange subsidies for 6 million people.

New beasts will roam upon us. Chaos will ensue. Insurers will descend into bankruptcy. Premiums will soar. Hospitals will close. Six million subsidized citizens will die in the streets. Chemotherapy will be turned off for 12,000 people. Dialysis wards for 10,000 will go dark.

If you doubt this scenario, read today’s news, (Joshua Green, “Is Washington Ready for the Death of ObamaCare,” Bloomberg Politics), or Senator Ben Sasse (R.Nebraska), “ A First Step on the Way Out of ObamaCare,” Wall Street Journal).

To Democrats, such scaremongering is understandable. Death of ObamaCare at the hands of the Court is so unthinkable, they do not mention an alternative or whisper that defeat is possible.

Republicans fear they will get what they wished for, the collapse of ObamaCare, and they will take the political blame for its untimely demise with cataclysmic results in the 2016 elections.

In their heart of hearts, both sides seem to be anticipating defeat or even death of ObamaCare . The Court itself is mum on the subject, for it has yet to read all the amicus briefs or to hear the oral arguments for or against.

It is clear if federal subsidies go down, for the sake of humanity, there will have to be a transition period out of ObamaCare and in the interim those previously subsidized will have to be subsidized . Senator Sasse of Nebraska recommends an 18 month period of transition until Democrats and Republicans get their act together, compromise, and craft an acceptable alternative plan that combines governmental and market-based principles.

The plan will not be one-size-fits-all plan, but various sizes-fitting most of the people most of the time-– depending on their need for government assistance - and their desire for freedom and choice.