ABC’s ThisWeek with George Stephanopoulos had an interesting segment on Obamacare. After watching the segment one had to become exhausted because there was little substance. This segment shows exactly why Americans are so confused about Obamacare and many other issues of material interest to their lives.
HHS released the new Obamacare numbers this week. They show that just like what happened with RomneyCare in Massachusetts, sign ups were occurring at a much faster pace near the deadline. In fact they beat expectations in January.
George Stephanopoulos brought that up to the panel. Peggy Noonan’s response was interesting. “Yes, I think there’s so much doubt at this point and so much questioning about the HHS numbers, as put forward semi-regularly, that I’m not sure they’re all that compelling,” Peggy Noonan said. “What I think is compelling is the amount of difficulty people are having with the ACA, trying to make it work in their lives. I think that’s what 2014 is going to be about, ObamaCare.”
There was no question from George Stephanopoulos about what problems she was talking about. Most website problems have been fixed and many who formerly believed the rhetoric are finding a different experience. Most policies are actually much less expensive than those on the individual market.
Katrina vanden Heuvel response was important but it had no follow through from George. “First of all, I think this has been a really important week or month for ObamaCare. Rough patches, yes, but it is broadly working — 1.1 million have enrolled, a higher proportion of younger people, premiums are down, more are insured, insurance companies cannot deny preexisting coverage,” Katrina vanden Heuvel said. “What we’re going to see in 2014 and what we’re seeing now are Republicans lying, scaring people, actually keeping people from health care coverage. The governors — Scott, Jindal, Perry, that’s cruel. I think what we need to focus on is to say the broad mass of Americans are not interested in repeal. Mend it, don’t end it. Fix it. Embrace it.”
The conversation continued with the number of young enrollees that was necessary. Jonathan Karl explained why young people were needed to ensure that premium prices would stay affordable.
If the purpose of the segment was to inform factually, George Stephanopoulos failed. He should have expanded on Peggy Noonan’s statement and force her to justify specifically why she believed the ACA was not working. Katrina vanden Heuvel had specific facts behind her entire statement. Yet, the segment gave the two responses equal weighting. That is why Americans are confused.
Obamacare confusion related to traditional media coverage.
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