Reliably Austin
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

1st Birthday for Federal Healthcare Bill

A birthday those opposed to the Federal Law aren't celebrating
Photo by KUT News
A birthday those opposed to the Federal Law aren't celebrating

O.K.  We're actually a couple of days early, since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010.  But advocacy groups have been celebrating/commiserating the anniversary for the last week…so we thought we'd give you a sampling of what's already out there.

Political parties are saying pretty much what each has been saying over the last year.  Democtrats seem to be keeping quite so far... but those on the "Right" are vocal about their displeasure.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative state policy think tank, released a statement today on the anniversary.  The statement by TPPF executive director Arlene Wohlgemuth highlights the national conservative argument that the bill isn't doing what it promises.

"Even in its early stages of implementation, ObamaCare is increasing the cost and reducing access to health care."

But other organizations are trying to just do some analysis of the bill's affects on healthcare in the U.S.  Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit news organization that follows health care policy and politics, put together a list of reports on what the law has done so far.

Texas is part of one of several lawsuits to block the implementation of the law.  Just last week a state House committee reviewed several bills that would limit the law in Texas - including one that would make it a felony for a federal employee to implement the law.

Ben Philpott is the Managing Editor for KUT. Got a tip? Email him at bphilpott@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @BenPhilpottKUT.