In his May 17 commentary, Mark Liebow cited statistics and argues the Affordable Care Act is "delivering as promised." The statistics emphasize the number of people who have acquired health insurance, the corresponding reduction in uninsured citizens and the lives that may be saved as a result of more Americans having health insurance.
By facilitating access to health care, the ACA will help many people receive needed care. For those who benefit, this is a welcome development.
But was this the "promise" of the ACA? As a candidate, President Barack Obama promised comprehensive, affordable health care for all. What the ACA delivered instead was a mandate to purchase as much health care as one could afford from insurance companies with a fiduciary interest in providing as little care as they could justify.
In short, the ACA expanded a tiered system of health care in which the well-to-do fare better than those of lesser means. If you doubt this, consider the differences in the maximum out-of-pocket costs, co-pays and deductibles of "platinum" plans versus cheaper "bronze" options. Many poor Americans will still experience severe financial hardship from illness despite having health insurance.
The "promise" of the ACA was a just system of health care with equitable benefits for all Americans. This "promise" remains elusive.
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Dr. Henry A. Homburger
Rochester
