Yamileth Medina

After Health Insurance Reform, What's Next for Obama?



Posted: Thursday, March 25, 2010

by Yamileth Medina
VitalOne Health

As Vice President Joe Biden has said, the passage of healthcare reform is a "big [expletive] deal." Its actual impact on the health insurance system in America is huge. Moreover, it will have far-reaching impact on other aspects of the Obama administration's agenda, which have been largely stalled due to this issue. To the joy of supporters and the dismay of detractors, Democrats will most likely move on to tackle those problems.

 Many Republicans and others, while opposing the content of the actual health insurance reform legislation themselves, were also worried that victory on this issue will spell change in other areas. Their concerns may have been well founded: political analysts speculate that legislation surrounding reduction of greenhouse gases through cap-and-trade, immigration reform, income inequality, and other Democratic prorities will soon be introduced.

 How successful will this strategy be? Clearly, Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid feel as if they have the wind at their backs. In some respects, it is a political triumph to get anything so major to pass Congress. Despite that, the President has spent a massive percentage of his political capital on affordable health insurance reform. As the debate dragged on for nearly a year, Obama's approval ratings have dropped dramatically.

 Working on other potentially divisive issues now will further dilute his popularity. Much of the opposition to health insurance reform was based on the continuing struggles with unemployment, and frustration with a federal government that seemingly failed to recognize the views of the people. While jobs legislation has passed, health care was the issue that got all the press. Although supporters believe that the public will come around when they experience the benefits of the bill, it will take several years for those benefits to be fully realized.

 Cap-and-trade legislation is an especially controversial issues. Despite scientists warning of climate change, a majority of Americans do not believe it is caused by humans. A bill to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions causes millions to fear that it will have a negative impact on jobs and industry during and shortly after this recession. Again, Obama believes that the promotion of environmentally-friendly "green jobs" will fix that problem, but that infrastructure will also take time to build. Many voters are understandably skeptical.

 Also, the support of his own party is not assured. They are risking their own chances at re-election even further with every controversial vote. On the other hand, Democrats may be buoyed by a newfound sense of purpose and unity. If they can increase access to affordable health insurance, what else can they pull off?

 (Image: NathanF under CC 3.0)

Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they can find quality health insurance plans right now. Yamileth lives in Miami, FL.. Yamileth enjoys listening to music, as well as spending time with family and friends. She lives in Miami, Florida.
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