Reaction from the public as manifested in online comments in response to the news is falling into two distinct categories. On the one hand, there are those who are screeching this is the damnable but undeniable dawn of socialism, with the seal of approval from the USSC. Some of them seem rather hysterical in their predictions that The End of Civilization and All That Is Godlike is nigh. On the other hand, (mostly) Democrats are declaring victory for what the media abetted the right wing by labeling Obamacare almost two years ago and pretending like this is the best thing since sliced bread...Take that, you right wing nuts! Obama promised health care reform and he delivered!
I think the truth of the matter makes fools of both sides on this one. Let's get real here: The PPACA is a socialist dream only in the realm of right wing fantasy and is a comprehensive overhaul of a dismal health care system in this country only for those desperate to make something of value out of a crap sandwich. Further, both prevailing positions are predominantly political in purpose, with those who are screaming socialism doing so because they're determined to deny Obama four more years in the White House, all while the celebrants of today's decision are certain it's just what their guy needs to get his second term.
What does any of this actually mean for the future of health care in the U.S.? Well, the proponents of the PPACA will repeatedly (and correctly) advise of the millions of people who will no longer be denied medical insurance because of a preexisting condition. They'll also remind that the infamous "doughnut hole" built into Medicare prescription coverage will be eliminated, saving some of us a couple of thousand dollars every year. A graphic from Upworthy is making the rounds on social media today to convince everyone the Supremes gifted the American People with the announcement of their decision.
Those are not "bad" things, of course, but they are no more comprehensive health care reform than they are a Satanic socialist plot to take over the nation.
At the risk of sounding all libertarian like here, I want to say I think the Supremes got this all wrong. I don't think the Constitution grants authority to require us to be purchase insurance in order to access health care, or even vehicle insurance in order to drive...or to wear motor cycle helmets or seat belts, for that matter. Those may be prudent decisions for an individual to make, but I'm not convinced the Constitution allows the government to penalize us if we don't make them.
Am I glad more people will have health care coverage as a result of this Supreme Court decision and that millions of Americans will catch a break on their medical expenses? Yup. But I'm pissed that everybody is acting like this is what is needed to bring health care in this nation out of third world status in just about every measurable criteria. It isn't. A single payer system is the only system that will ever assure parity in health care and break up the criminal enterprise that has become the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. We ended up with the PPACA aka Obamacare because the right wing in this country pulled out the socialism bogeyman and everybody else did what they always do...run like hell from it. The result has been that a ton of money has kept lawyers busy for two years and, once again, those in charge keep the rest of us squabbling over a tiny sliver of their pie.
In the end, today's Supreme Court ruling will benefit some of us. That's better than a stick in the eye. But, so, too, would be nothing, and what we got today falls closer to the "nothing" end of the scale than the true reform end.