The Supreme Court Gets One Right

So the Supreme Court finally chose to rule on a major case in the correct way.  Thanks to Chief Justice Roberts’ reported “soul searching” and desire to be remembered in history as a responsible American (and probably to help offset the damage of Citizens United, among other incorrect decisions he’s made in his brief tenure), President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act still lives.  Dignified men should be aware of this ruling — or, at the least, dignified American men should be aware of this ruling — because this is a giant step forward for the quality of life of all Americans.

What does this decision mean for America, specifically?  This means America’s national debt will be reduced by $143 billion over 10 years, and $1 trillion over 20.  The more than 30 million Americans that don’t have health insurance — whether because of a pre-existing condition, financial limitations or other reasons — now have the ability to get the same quality coverage.  Americans up until the age of 26 will be able to be covered by their parents’ insurance.  Insurance companies are required to spend a higher percentage of their insured’s’ premiums (read: your payments) on your healthcare.  If they don’t, they have to cut you a rebate check for the money they spent improperly on administrative costs, executive bonuses, etc.

What does this decision NOT mean for America?  It almost pains us to lay this out, but the Supreme Court’s ruling does not mean that there will be longer “lines” for healthcare (and to get an appearance in front of your doctor today, one must already set an appointment several weeks in advance.  If you choose to wait in “line” for two weeks before your appointment, that’s your decision).  It does not mean that America’s deficits will increase based on the details of this law.  It does not mean that your relationship with your doctor is going to change.  And it does not mean that robot death panels are going to kill your grandmother.

Of course the Republicans have already come out and bashed the decision, as is no surprise, and argued that it will incite their base this election season.  One senator on FOX News this morning argued that this decision guaranteed a Romney victory in November.  It will “encourage the base to come out to vote.”

In reality, the “base” that is most affected by this decision, the 40 million plus Americans that enjoy new, improved health insurance benefits, have the most power to decide this election.   While many of these Americans will choose not to vote, whether because they are too busy or too apathetic, the greatest way to guarantee that further human rights are spread to all Americans, regardless of wealth or other demographics, is to spend the time this year on November 6th and vote.

Do that, and we won’t have to sweat bullets waiting for the decision of nine old justices to choose the fate of the country for us.