My hellacious health care nightmare -- Obamacare has ruined me

[still_one]

61. No argument, Baucus was not the best person for what we call the ACA. However, regardless, when the

public option, and even when Medicare for those 55 and older was suggested the same usual suspects said they would not go for it.

No question, they should have not only allowed more input from single-payer advocates, they should have given those alternatives more exposure. However, I do not believe it would still have enough votes.

Their strategy at the time was obvious. They essentially used the Heritage Foundation plan as a starting point, which was also similar to the plan being used in Massachucets from Romney, thinking that it would be easier to get some republicans to sign on. That strategy failed miserably. They did not realize just how much the republican party had transformed itself into an extremist right wing political entity. It should have been obvious though.

While I do believe they could not have gotten single-payer or a public option passed at that time, they could have passed something that was simpler, and more affordable for more people. There is no doubt in my mind it is better than what they had before, but far from perfect, and until we get a more progressive Congress, it will be difficult to see any enhancements in the near future