Michigan emerging as battleground for success of Affordable Care Act
Michigan is emerging as one of 10 battleground states for the success of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Detroit News reported.
A major provision of the Affordable Care Act will take effect Oct. 1 nationwide: Health insurance exchanges will launch to consumers.
President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Actin to law in the East Room of the White House in Washington in this file photo from March 23, 2010.
The Associated Press
As the Michigan Legislature wrestles over whether to expand Medicaid to about 500,000 people — a provision under the Affordable Care Act — national advocacy organizations against the federal health care law are sending workers to knock on doors of Michigan residents, according to the report.
Should President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act fail to take hold in Michigan and several swing states, it would affirm the opposition's claims that health care provided by the government is unwanted, the Detroit News reported.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:20 p.m.
This is not a good law. And now the federal govt can legally make you buy something or be taxed. Just think of the things we may have to buy in the future or be taxed. You may have to buy a gun if you live in a violent city. There is no reason for anyone to buy insurance until the penalty equals the cost of the insurance. You cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions, so wait until you get sick or injured to buy insurance. Just have the research done for a good plan, just in case. After your care, cancel the insurance.
tinkywinky
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
The only ones who benefit from the so called "affordable care act" are the insurance companies. This does nothing to address the costs of health care - it just ensures that health care providers will be paid.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:21 p.m.
Mine went up by 50%. Copays are going up too, as well as more copays for treatment that before did not require a copay.
clownfish
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:25 a.m.
I got a 3.5% refund on my premiums this year. Mandated by Obamacare. Last year my premiums went up the smallest amount in years, with the "threat" of Obamacare looming.
Arno B
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 3:34 p.m.
Left unsaid is a rather perverted definition of "Affordable." Note that this year (2013) this "Affordable" Act will deliberatly INCREASE the medical costs to many individuals who may not yet be aware of it. For those who itemize, medical expenses are deductible on Schedule "A" after a certain level of medical expenses have been expended from adjusted gross income (Line 37 of the 1040). For prior years, 7.5% of adjusted gross income had to be spent on medical expenses before any medical expense deductions could be taken on Schedule "A". For 2014 and beyond, 10.0% of adjusted gross income has to be spent on medical expenses before any medical deductions can be taken. Thus, there is a direct additional medical expense starting this year for those who can itemize their medical expenses. Note: Those over 65 were tossed a bone off the table since their rate stays at 7.5%. There is also a 2.3% tax on "Durable Medical Equipment" paid by manufacturers which went into effect this year as well. Of course, this increases the costs of medical equipment and services to either or both the purchasers or the consumers and, in effect, additional medical expenses for anyone using this equipment whether in provider's offices or at home. Ironically, there was a movement by a group of Democrat senators to cancel this tax. (These individuals were some of the Act's ardent initial supporters). Its prime sponsor was the Senate's resident comedian Al Franken who realized the impact it would have on Minnesota's second largest employer (Medtronic). The effort failed. So as you can see, many people will be paying more for their health care this year. We are supposed to believe that it is now suddenly "Affordable!." To paraphrase Shakespeare, "What fools these mortal be!!."
Jack Gladney
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.
I love Dear Leader and his new era of affordable healthcare. The co-pay on our prescriptions are set to quadruple on October 1st. My insurance company wants me to help Dear Leader take my money to buy medicine for people who won't have to pay for it because, um.... because hope and change.
sayzme
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
Obamaphobia is a real and treatable disease. Please seek help
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:25 p.m.
You reminded me of another stupidity of Obamacare, free contraceptives for women. Free drugs for healthy people to prevent pregnancy which is not an illness. I think that is a major slap in the face to people who are ill and having trouble covering their prescriptions. What a joke this law has become.
clownfish
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
My co-pays tripled...in 2002. Then they doubled...in 2005. How did Obama do that? Right now your insurance company takes your money and spends it on Other People. Your current premiums and co-pays also pay for those that cannot pay their tab at hospitals. Would it be acceptable for you to let people die because they cannot afford drugs for treatment?
OutfieldDan
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
One BIG problem with the ACA is that there will be an end to innovation in the health industry. It's now a government overseen service with less free market forces working. That means that expensive new treatments and drugs will not be invented because the government will not allow a premium payment for their use. Right now we have the best health care in the world, the highest innovation and people from everywhere come to the USA for treatment. That's the free market operating. With the ACA, we will be dumbed down to mediocrity. Of course other problems are that we will be broke and buried under regulations. It won't be long before we will be told where to live, what car we can drive, what we can eat, what we can say. Oh, I'm sorry... I guess all that's ok - the new order is here.
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
Where do you dig up these allegations? Sorry, we do not have the best healthcare in the world, and we are far from it. Not only that, we have very inconsistent healthcare across the USA with outcomes that do not support the costs. And if you check carefully, you find the states that most vehemently oppose Obamacare have many of the worst outcomes, so your point is?
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:37 p.m.
I take great exception to the use of the words "government health care" when discussing the ACA. If anyone is naive enough to believe they control their own healthcare today and the ACA takes that away from them, then they deserve what they get. Make no mistake about it -- insurance companies control health care and tell doctors and hospitals what they can and cannot do. And the decisions are purely financial and have nothing to do with the insured person's health needs. Take for example a case of aggressive prostate cancer of a colleague of mine; after he had radical prostate surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had spread outside the prostate into surrounding tissue. From what I understand, there is only one real option at that point which is salvage radiation. The patient had to wait almost 3 weeks to begin the radiation treatments -- why -- because the insurance company, not the doctor, had to approve them, and yet there was essentially no other option. Wake up America -- let's start treating healthcare as a right, not a privilege based on whether you can afford it or not.
clownfish
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:20 a.m.
The government is not taking anything over, that kind of comment is from the outfield, waaay outfield.
OutfieldDan
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
LOL, he had to wait 3 weeks? How long will he have to wait when the government takes over? What happens in Canada and England - how's their track record? Actually if he is too old or if he has small chances of being cured, they deny further treatment.
sayzme
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
Obamacare is the law of the land! I suggest Snyder get is ideologue cohorts on board with setting up the exchange or Michigan will once again be racing to the bottom
clownfish
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:27 p.m.
ummm, the PPACA is NOT government provided health care. How did such a fallacy get into this story,?
clownfish
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
ummm, that is what the PPACA is supposed to fix, the 30-50 million Americans that lack insurance. There is nothing in the Act that interferes with the doctor patient relationship.
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
Would you rather it remains insurance company provided healthcare where it is only provided to the rich and healthy, and that anyone who dares to be poor or have a health condition (pre-existing or after the fact) loses their insurance, assuming they even had any in the first place? Health, well being, and health procedures need to be established between a doctor and his/her patient. To suggest that exists today if you are not part of the wealthy gentry is ignoring the truth.
seasons
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
Of course universal health care would resolve the problems of expense for large and small businesses. Congress being "exempted" from the ACA was a misleading headline to start out with and too bad some are perpetuating it. Congress is doing nothing any different than any other entity that is already providing health care coverage to its employees - so no big deal. And yes, there is a huge effort on the part of Republicans to deny that anything good can be obtained via the ACA and are putting on a huge effort to again misinform and misdirect people who are not keeping up on the facts regarding this program. It has gotten old, but the "keep government out of my Medicare" continues to baffle.
walker101
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 3:23 a.m.
The hypocrisy, we now have a government that will not require proof of citizenship and will force citizens to have health insurance or be penalized ,we will be paying for non citizens to have health insurance at no cost or at a minimal price. The government has no clue how to administer a program so they have hired a contractor that is or has been under investigation for fraudulent practices in England. The costs have not even been determined and yet we accept and continue to believe that they are working in the best interest for all. This like every other program the government has been responsible for have been complete failures and now we think the Affordable HealthCare Act is what we need.
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
I see you didn't mention death panels -- why did you exclude this rumor as well?
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
I hate to tell walker101 this, but if you get sick outside the US while visiting another country you will be treated and taken care of, and they will pay for it if you have no insurance (or insurance that is not valid outside the US). And you are calling the Veteren's Hospital complete failures? Not sure what ax you have to grind, but I am pretty sure you vote negatively, ie, republican. I guess, equality for all; it's just some people need to be more equal than others, right?
clownfish
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
Do you ever check facts before you post? First of all, non-citizens are specifically excluded from the Act. PPACA expressly exempts unauthorized (illegal) aliens from the mandate to have health coverage and bars them from a health insurance exchange. Unauthorized aliens are not eligible for the federal premium credits or cost-sharing subsidies. Unauthorized aliens are also barred from participating in the temporary high-risk pools. Not only is every government program not a failure, some are quite successful . Just because your party fails when it gets in office does not mean everybody else does. Succesful programs include: The US highway system, the GI Bill, Social Security works (needs tweaking after 60= years), Medicare works, Medicaid works (just because you don't like the programs does not mean they are a failure), The CDC and the NIH do amazing work, The FDIC has proven to be effective for decades, The Clean Water Act assures you of clean drinking water, Rural electrification was a huge success, the TVA supplies cheap power to the middle of the country, NASA landed a rover on Mars! Is it really so hard to look things up before you post a fallacy ridden post?
Jay Thomas
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
They never tell the truth about the cost of these programs. They keep the number low like a salesman trying to get his foot in the door. Only later do you realize what the true cost is. Everything revealed since this bill passed has shown it to be more expensive for everyone. Where is the honesty?
Sparty
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
The costs for Congress were currently paid at 75% as they are for all Federal Government employees, with the "employees" paying the remaining 25%. They will use the Exchange as is called for in the law. The expansion of Medicare was planned in ObamaCare and it IS "self-funding" - it Specifically does NOT add to the National Debt. The costs are borne by the participants, the insurers, by savings, by pharmaceuticals, through efficiencies, the elimination of cost transfers from previous uninsured's, reduction in waste/fraud, increases in technology and electronic record keeping, etc.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
Not true Sparty. Obamacare expands Medicaid which will have to be funded by the feds and state and if there are shortcomings in the program do you think the feds won't pay for it. They certainly will if democrats are in control. And they just added the cost of covering Congress and it's staff's payments.
Sparty
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 3:59 a.m.
There is no addition to the National Debt due to ObamaCare. You will see your costs when you select your plan.
LAW
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
The government already does not have a good track record keeping fraud and abuse out of the large programs they run and the IRS is going to provide the oversight given their choices to do what is politically expedient. Reid said the object is to have a single payer government run health care system. the electronic record keeping system is a joke. I read mine and it is replete with errors that will just keep being passed on. This is a recipe for disaster.
Sparty
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:47 p.m.
In one month, Mick, in one month.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
Clownfish, a nationwide sweep netted only 100 violators? Is that all? Only two for each state on average? You call that good?
clownfish
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
This administration has done a better job than most rooting out fraud. Just last May almost 100 people were arrested for Medicare fraud in a nationwide sweep. Should we disband our military because the system is ripe for fraud and abuse ?
Sparty
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 3:56 a.m.
ObamaCare can verify the exact income levels at year end and if the earlier assumptions were incorrect can collect the necessary payments from IRS refunds from that or any future year, according to the HHS.
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:22 a.m.
@ bob, to the tune of $98 billion in 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/business/retirementspecial/medicare-fraud-victimizes-patients-and-taxpayers.html
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
Bob, estimates on fraud range up to 12% on the programs you cite. Most not caught. You ready to pay for the same on a greatly expanded scale?
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
The recent congressional staff exception was one of three recent administration actions including the delay by one year for the employer mandate and a loosening of the reporting requirements the states (through individual reporting) to verify the income levels of those receiving insurance subsidies (read federal spending). So, the "system" is not ready to crunch data provided by employers and the "system" is not ready to accurately determine who should receive a government subsidy to assist in purchasing insurance. The latter makes it ripe for under-reporting income to get a subsidy (fraud).
Jay Thomas
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 11:45 p.m.
The government will continue to get ripped off whatever the penalties are. If everyone was required to handle their own health care dollars and keep track of the billing the amount of fraud would go down. The fraud was costing $100 billion/year last I heard and even high school dropouts engaged in it were pulling down 2 million month before they got caught. All because the government is a joke and cannot protect itself.
Basic Bob
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 9:58 p.m.
Google medicare fraud. You will not only see the enforcement but also severe penalties.
Mike
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
Expand something we can't even afford now? The country is going broke with a deficit quickly approaching 17 trillion dollars, pension funds going bankrupt or with serious shortfalls for funding, on the verge of adding 40 million new "citizens" to our numbers and we want to expand even more? I find it hard to believe how out of touch our "leaders" both republican and democrat are from reality......... put the pedal to the metal and let's get this train wreck over with and rebuild from what's left.......I say expand it, expand welfare, open the borders to all who want to come, let the prisoners out of prison, increase the regulations and taxes on business and see what happens. This death by a thousand cuts is slow and horrible. Let the Democrats win the next election and complete what was started many years ago.............
arborani
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 6 p.m.
Now I'm confused: will the "knockers" be advocating Affordable Care., or "knocking" it?
arborani
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 2:40 a.m.
Thank you, E Claire (mmm - eclair) - much clearer in the D/News.
E Claire
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 6:32 p.m.
You should read the Det News story, much more info and makes more sense. Advocates for both sides will be out
G. Orwell
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.
Congress and their staffers just EXCEMPTED themselves from Obamacare. If Obamacare is SO GOOD, I wonder why the overlords in DC don't want any part of it. Obamacare must be dismantled. It's not about affordable healthcare. It is about control over our health. For example, the death panel or the compensatiion board will determine whether you live or not. Not your family doctor or relatives. No wonder the cowards in Congress excempted themselves.
Sparty
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 3:23 a.m.
Congress will use the Exchange as the Law requires. The new "deal" just continues the current practice of the Government paying 75% of the premiums, just as they have for YEARS. It's very similar to large private employers paying the majority share of the premiums for their employees, most often 80% (80/20).
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
Mike is correct, they gave themselves a raise, which goes against the claim it is affordable health care.
Jay Thomas
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 11:41 p.m.
I seem to recall there were other exemptions as well in order to win votes to get the thing passed. Now Obama has exempted even more special interest groups. When a politician can pick and choose who has to pay and who doesn't in such an arbitrary manner it is definitely a violation of equal protection.
arborarmy
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
My bad, Tom, and good catch.
GoNavy
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
@arborarmy: That was a highly intelligent response that effectively dodged the question you were asked. You've clearly rehearsed that talking point thoroughly.
Tom
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
Arborarmy, I think your high school civics class has failed to inform you of recent laws. The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 mandates that workpalce laws such as safety, labor, harassment, etc. are applicable to the legislative branch of government. There was an independent office setup to ENFORCE these laws. So nice try.
Mike
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8:28 p.m.
Congress is not exempt, they just get a subsidy to pay for it so we "don't lose all of the valuable people who run our government".............
G. Orwell
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.
arborarny You need to be better informed. It was written into the Obamacare but they just cut a back room deal to excemot themselves. Why not. Congress claim they have the right to insider trade stocks while we would go to prison for years if we dud it. Bunch of criminals in DC.
1bit
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:29 p.m.
No, Congress must purchase their insurance through the exchanges as well.
arborarmy
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
You need to take high school civics. Congress is ALWAYS exempted from ALL workplace laws because those laws are enforced by the executive branch of the government. We're the executive branch to oversee the functions of the legislative branch it would be a violation of separation of powers. Moreover, the purpose of Obamacare is to insure all Americans have health insurance. Just how many full time congressional employees do you think don't have health insurance paid for by taxpayers?
you can't handle the truth
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
Let's just sit back and let the goverment take over health care. They have a great track record running other large progams.
Arborcomment
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 1:30 a.m.
Convienently forgetting to mention 2010, and the term used there: "shellacking" was it not? Ask Nancy how that worked out. 2012 with a lousy republican candidate did nothing to overturn what public polls still show today on Obamacare.
Sparty
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
It was put to a vote of the people, Mick. Obama was just re-elected in November 2012 after campaigning heavily on ObamaCare and the GOP tried to use it as a weapon against him. Guess what - it didn't work.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:04 p.m.
I agree Medicare is a plan many people like, but Medicaid is not, because in many cases doctors will not accept the low payments because is does not cover expenses. What I objected to was the word the President and democrats used, "reform." Reform health care, health care needs reform. I see no reason why Congress, a collection of people with very little knowledge of medicine should think they can pronounce it in need of reform, repair or whatever. I am perfectly happy with how great it is. The fact is it is expensive only due to its very nature and there is only one way congress can handle that, raise taxes one way or another. So I think their obligation was to put it to the people to see if we would simply agree to a health care tax to make up for unpaid care.
jayjay
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
Clownfish, how dare you enter truth and facts into the argument! That may actually cause people to understand the ACA and support it!
clownfish
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.
Facts are irrelevant, it seems. For example, government is not taking over health care. That is a lie. Government is using a conservative idea, proposed by multiple GOP elected officials over the years, to require people to take personal responsibility for their insurance, and therefore their medical bills. We are using the private insurance system, not government, we are using our current privately employed doctors, not government doctors, we are using private hospitals, not government hospitals.
Jaime Magiera
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 4:53 a.m.
1bit is correct about the Postal Service. One of my friendly neighborhood postmen explained the situation to me a few months ago. There is definitely some mismanagement within the postal system - in particular, too much middle management. However, the majority of financing problems are related to the pension fund.
Sparty
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 3:47 a.m.
VA claims backlog decreased 20% this year despite the disabilty definition being opened up by Obama to include PTSD and Agent Orange and other infectious agents, which greatly expanded the number of new claims filed.
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 12:57 a.m.
700 days+ in delays for Vets to receive Veterans Benefits. They are what, less than 7% of the population? http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23039480/veterans-claims-benefits-delayed-by-crushing-va-backlog
1bit
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
@Mike: No - not every business (in fact, there are probably zero) pays in advance 50 years of pension liabilities. The law was passed in 2006, which is only 7 years ago. If you believe most businesses handle pensions this way then you are sorely mistaken.
Mike
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
1bit - congress is making the postal service do what every business has to do; put the funds for the pensions in the bank. This law was passed many years ago and is why there are hardly any private pensions in this country any more. it's tough to live by rules that are unattainable. Government pensions will be next on the chopping block................
1bit
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:26 p.m.
If you read my comment, you would understand better why the Postal Service is having trouble. But to spell it out, Congress is forcing the Postal Service to prepay its pension debt 50 years in advance! There is no company in the world that would do that. So when the Postal Service proposes to cut Saturdays to meet this completely ludicrous obligation and prevent being in "debt", Congress says that they have to continue Saturday delivery because they know the whole crisis is contrived.
you can't handle the truth
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.
The same US postal service that is beyond bankrupt? Thanks for the laugh.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
The government runs Medicare and people who use Medicare think it is well run and they like the program.
1bit
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 5:21 p.m.
Where were you when Medicare and Medicaid started? The government, which is us by the way, actually runs things well when congressmen and women keep politics out of things. If the postal service disappeared, would you be able to send a letter across the country for less than 50 cents? Who prevents the postal service from raising rates, changing hours, or competing? The Congress. The National Institutes of Health are another example. So is NASA. I mean, we've got a rover on Mars being remote-controlled from Earth and you're complaining that government can't do anything? If you have a specific complaint then fine but this general "good-for-nothing-government" nonsense is unhelpful to say the least.
BhavanaJagat
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
The problem is, the Affordable Care Act will not and cannot deliver affordable health care. Firstly, we must ensure that corporations and individuals who provide health care service must manage their institutions in a transparent manner, and people must know the costs of the service. The misuse and abuse of public funds has become rampant and health care providers are able to the bill the system very easily and fraud remains unchecked until it attains massive proportions.
Mick52
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
To try to clarify, I would add that the use of the word "affordable," is misleading. Health care just by its very nature has become very expensive due to advances in care and technology and that it requires staffing of highly well educated people in many positions. I think people have been mislead by the law into thinking they are going to get good health care for pennies or free and that is just not going to happen. If you look at health care globally you will see the same problems with high costs and the quality of care you will get based on what is paid in for the type of system. You need to know more than just the cost, but exactly how much is covered. This was a very bad law because of the way it was done as we see by the difficulties to get it running. But no matter what could be done, it is going to cost a lot of money to cover more people no matter how you do it.
mhirzel
Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.
Eliminate fraud by putting the government in charge????? Are you kidding??????????
kmgeb2000
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
Therefore, you are saying it cannot work because of abuse BY heath care providers and NOT the government. I get it . . . blame government for the criminal acts of and by corporations. How about we fix the primary problem - eliminate for profit health care? Solution? Single-payer/Medicare for ALL. Vast majority of problems solved. 20% administration waste gone (marketing waste, and profit from the pain and suffering of Americans - doesn't sound so appealing), ability to focus on fraud, and ALL Americans have health insurance (competitive advantage or at least not a disadvantage since the rest of the developed world already does this).
1bit
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:59 p.m.
"Should President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act fail to take hold in Michigan and several swing states, it would affirm the opposition's claims that health care provided by the government is unwanted..." @Amy: I read the linked article and don't know where you got that point. As @EyeHeartA2 noted, the advocacy groups are going out in favor of the health care law not against it. The idea is that people need to be informed about exactly what the Health Exchanges are and what they will offer. There is also an advocacy to expand Medicaid which is separate and has already been supported by the GOP-controlled House and Gov. Snyder.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.
"As the Michigan Legislature wrestles over whether to expand Medicaid to about 500,000 people to government health insurance — a provision under the Affordable Care Act — national advocacy organizations against the federal health care law are sending workers to knock on doors and advertise to Michigan consumers." Is it just me, or is this single sentence/paragraph unreadable? I read it about 5 times and I really can't understand it.
Amy Biolchini
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 3:59 p.m.
Thanks for the note. I edited the sentence to make it less confusing.