The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has been a bone of contention for the Republicans and lobbyists for the insurance companies and the medical industry for nearly five years, or at least ever since the act was first introduced in late 2008.

The fierce opposition by the lobbyists has encouraged the Republican Party to take an active role to destroy this attempt by the Obama administration to provide a fair opportunity for all Americans to have medical care at a fair and equitable rate. It appears that profit and greed and campaign contributions to Republicans have been driving the unrelenting attack on this Act to provide health care for everyone.

To the delight of the opposition, the implementation of the plan was further damaged by a Canadian-based company that provided an inferior website for registering participants.

As I recall, Republicans gave similar reasons for opposing Social Security and Medicare as they now give in opposing the Affordable Care Act. The reasons were that “it is too expensive, it isn’t fair, it is bound to fail” and so on.

Both Social Security and Medicare have become an integral part of our society and I doubt anyone would seek to end either program. Millions have only Social Security to live on, but it has never failed, like other retirement plans that became worthless a few years ago. Medicare carries the majority of basic medical needs and insurance companies are quick to incorporate the benefits of Medicare into the insurance plan they provide and in some cases charge Medicare for their actions.

It is time to support the Affordable Care Act and give it a chance to succeed. Do not be misled by half truths and innuendos by the opposition. I believe the American public is quite observant and will accept Obamacare for a much better health plan with the potential for similar success as Social Security and Medicare.

All the plan needs is enough participation and it appears that folks are anxious for it to succeed.

Erling Landsverk
King