In the wake of the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court intends to hear arguments on President Obama's health care overhaul this upcoming March, I've been wondering: what exactly is the Democrats' political damage control strategy if the Supreme Court finds part, or all, of the act unconstitutional? Obviously, from a political standpoint, Republicans are in a win-win situation: if the act is found unconstitutional, then Republicans have their signature campaign platform, and if the act is not found unconstitutional, then Republicans can still argue that constitutionality does not imply that the act is good legislation and run on the pledge to nominate more conservative justices.
But what exactly would you expect President Obama to say in his convention speech next summer if the SCOTUS rules the act unconstitutional? That we should enact a single-payer system?
Originally posted by wittywonkaI don't think there's any risk of something more than the individual mandate being found unconstitutional.
In the wake of the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court intends to hear arguments on President Obama's health care overhaul this upcoming March, I've been wondering: what exactly is the Democrats' political damage control strategy if the Supreme Court finds part, or all, of the act unconstitutional? Obviously, from a political standpoint, Republicans ...[text shortened]... er if the SCOTUS rules the act unconstitutional? That we should enact a single-payer system?
I think that would hurt the legislation, but would not kill it. Sure it would be much more expensive, but since when has spending an extra few hundred billion dollars or so ever been a major concern to the Obama administration?
Originally posted by sh76The mandate falling would help Obama immensely. It's really the only part of the bill that is unpopular. I don't think it falling will raise costs to any significant degree; most people now buy health care if they can afford it and HCR will give generous subsidies to purchase the product. The vast majority will take the deal; people like to minimize risk.
I don't think there's any risk of something more than the individual mandate being found unconstitutional.
I think that would hurt the legislation, but would not kill it. Sure it would be much more expensive, but since when has spending an extra few hundred billion dollars or so ever been a major concern to the Obama administration?
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Originally posted by no1marauderA feature is that after more than 50 years of relentless Republican propaganda most people feel no responsibility to their fellow citizens so overruling the mandate will allow the young and irresponsible to continue to live with the knowledge that fools that do carry insurance will gladly foot the bill for their care if they are injured.
The mandate falling would help Obama immensely. It's really the only part of the bill that is unpopular. I don't think it falling will raise costs to any significant degree; most people now buy health care if they can afford it and HCR will give generous subsidies to purchase the product. The vast majority will take the deal; people like to minimize risk.
Originally posted by TerrierJackIt won't happen to any significant degree. If you got in an accident or had an emergency condition, you'd still have to foot the bill for the initial treatment before you were able to sign up for insurance and that alone could equal tens of thousands of dollars. Few people are going to be willing to take that risk.
A feature is that after more than 50 years of relentless Republican propaganda most people feel no responsibility to their fellow citizens so overruling the mandate will allow the young and irresponsible to continue to live with the knowledge that fools that do carry insurance will gladly foot the bill for their care if they are injured.