| One of the main criticisms of the Obama | | | | were uninsured and health care expenses were |
| administration's healthcare reform law is that it | | | | the lowest in the nation. Although it was not an |
| puts too much responsibility and power in the | | | | immediate problem, state legislators had the |
| federal government's hands. Many people believe | | | | foresight to tackle it. |
| that regulating insurance companies, for example, | | | | In Utah, health insurance reform came in several |
| is a responsibility that should be left up to the | | | | small pieces, as opposed to one huge chunk. It |
| states. | | | | also took into account the most pressing |
| According to the constitutional theory of | | | | concerns for local citizens and businesses, including |
| federalism, that is true. However, it becomes | | | | the high prevalence of part-time workers. In the |
| more difficult to make the case for repealing the | | | | end, they decided on creating portable defined |
| Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if | | | | contribution plans--where businesses of all sizes |
| there are no viable alternatives. Largely Republican | | | | could deposit a certain amount for employees' |
| opponents open themselves up to criticism that | | | | insurance costs (which could be pro-rated for |
| portrays them as the "party of no" that prefers | | | | part-time and seasonal employees, who typically |
| to oppose Democratic proposals without many | | | | are not eligible for standard employer-based |
| new ideas of their own. | | | | coverage)--combined with a transparent exchange |
| The cost of health care has skyrocketed over | | | | market. |
| the past several decades. With the exception of | | | | The solution succeeded on a bipartisan level, |
| the ill-fated attempt early in the Clinton | | | | without causing major controversy. It is |
| administration, the federal government and most | | | | significantly harder for the federal government to |
| states alike ignored the issue. That was fine when | | | | replace a program that is already active than |
| unemployment rates were relatively low, and | | | | establish one where it currently does not exist. |
| most people had one steady, full-time job with | | | | Now Utah, which implemented healthcare reform |
| benefits. | | | | more in tune with its free enterprise market |
| As a result, millions of Americans have become | | | | values before it had to, is in a far better position |
| uninsured. Governments and businesses all over | | | | than other states that had to be dragged kicking |
| are now scrambling to keep up. Modifications that | | | | and screaming to make their moves. |
| could have been done gradually several years ago | | | | States will have greater success in fighting |
| are now the sweeping reforms that may need to | | | | "Obamacare" if they have their own healthcare |
| be passed soon. | | | | reform in place. If they leave a vacuum, the |
| According to the conservative Heritage | | | | Department of Health and Human Services is |
| Foundation, Utah did it the right way. The state | | | | likely to fill it. It also shows a good faith effort in |
| began enacting affordable health insurance reform | | | | addressing the concerns and struggles of a |
| in 2005, when only 10 percent of its residents | | | | significant portion of their residents. |