The United States changed yesterday.
When President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, he injected fairness and equity into a wildly unfair, inconsistent and sometimes cruel and inhumane health care system.
It remains to be seen how the system will respond to the treatment. Consequences, intended and unintended, may result. But unlike before, Americans will have better tools than mere begging to control the failings and excesses of health insurance and drug companies.
Not since 1935 when Congress approved the Social Security Act has the nation taken such a significant step to improve the lives of its citizens.
When it comes to basic medical care, no longer will the nation be one of "haves" and "have-nots." No longer will people be deemed "uninsurable" with the flick of a functionary's pen. No longer will children go uninsured. No longer will adults have to delay or forego health care because they cannot afford it. No longer can insurance companies cancel policies when policyholders become ill.
No longer will people live in fear that if they lose or change jobs, they and their families may lose health insurance.
The new law will make doing business more equitable. Small businesses will be better able to compete with larger rivals because they will not be forced to pay significantly higher prices for employee health insurance or to drop coverage altogether. Both options put small businesses at a severe competitive disadvantage.
The Affordable Care Act will not suddenly render health care perfect, but it opens a path to better health care and a better life for all Americans.
