Unfortunately, Misinformation Rules

Let me say from the start (and most of you who have been following this blog already know) I’m not a big fan of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare. It’s too big for what we need right now, too expensive for where we are, and doesn’t address many of the fundamental flaws we have with the health care system in this country.

But, you should also know I am a huge fan of reforming the health care system - we all know it needs to

happen. Like it or not, the ACA is the option we have to work with right now- at least the only one that is not simply rhetoric or political talking points.

In my Health Care Politics and Policy class each quarter I challenge my students to interview 5 people to determine what they know about health care and health care reform as a learning project. Without exception, they return to the class absolutely amazed with how little most people know- but have strong opinions anyway. For most of us who have been following health care reform over the years, this is no surprise. The reality is most people have no clue of how health care works or what the Affordable Care Act is all about. But they are very quick to take a firm stance even when they know nothing about it.

From the beginning, the supporters of the ACA have done a terrible job educating the public about what health care reform is all about and why it is necessary. They have been afraid to talk about it because, quite simply, many don’t understand it themselves.

At the same time, those opposing the ACA (even though they have no suggestions or plans of their own) are spreading some pretty unbelievable stories and misinformation. And it’s only getting worse as time goes on.

Here are some of the good ones:

• The ACA provides free health care to illegal aliens
• The ACA will allow the government to decide when to stop providing medical care to the elderly
• The ACA requires everyone to be implanted with microchips
• The ACA will allow forced home inspections by government agents

 It is estimated that over $400 million is being spent to discredit the ACA and more money and energy is being poured into trying to get it repealed. The Americans for Prosperity launched a website for consumers www.obamacareriskfactors.com that stretches the limits of truth and fiction.

Individuals are growing increasingly confused by it all and believe the misinformation being circulated because their political views override their ability to critically think, research, and form an objective opinion of their own about the single most important social and economic issue facing our country.

From the beginning, the Affordable Care Act should have been looked at as a starting-point instead of a final solution. There are many things in the Act that can and should be fixed if we simply had the political ability to do so. The American public needs to be better informed to voice an educated opinion politicians need to listen to.  Until that happens, many will continue to believe the misinformation being spread by both sides and base their views on the political messages they are being fed instead of forming an opinion that makes sense for the country.

 In the meantime,  we’ll continue to fight between ourselves as we deal with an expensive, inefficient, and unfair health care system that will only continue to deplete the resources of the economic foundation of this country.

Obamacare is the target right now. If those fighting the law have a better idea- There are many who would like to hear it.