I wonder why that’s the metric, even if it is a total lie — at the very least, mental health would worsen due to the stress of medical uncertainty. I mean, it’s great to track if spending is having a desirable effect, but notably missing is any mention of that spending’s effect on the economy. How much productivity is lost due to people not able to access health care? How many more bankruptcies will there be? (We know the answer to this already: up to double. Personal bankruptcies fell by 50% since 2010, due in great part to the ACA.) How many people will have to leave the workforce when they can no longer treat their chronic disease?
Also of course notably missing is society’s responsibility to care for its members regardless of financial gain. No one asked to be born. Everyone, by virtue of being born, has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And if Republicans need some more patriotism to inspire them, may I gently remind them that “promote the general welfare” is right there in the Preamble, sandwiched between “provide for the common defense” (which they LOOOOVE) and “secure the blessings of liberty” (which they also LOOOOVE).
Thank you, Schoolhouse Rock.
