It has been more than a month since the Supreme Court of the United State (SCOTUS) heard the historic NFIB argument against the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As we wait for the Court’s ruling, I found a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll on the health care reform law to be quite interesting – particularly related to the individual mandate.
Leading up to the hearing, the ACA’s popularity among American’s was firmly entrenched as an unpopular and divisive issue. With public awareness increasing from the enormous media coverage on the court case, it would be telling if public opinion was significantly swayed the other way. Apparently that is not the case.
It seems that while the majority of American’s are still either against or uncertain with the ACA, their dissatisfaction with the individual mandate has increased.
This fact is significant because the individual mandate is the first time Congress has ordered all Americans to purchase a commercial product – and is the driving force behind our legal challenge.
NFIB fully supports real reform of the staggering costs of healthcare, but we and our members believe in the principle of free enterprise. The individual mandate represents the exact opposite. It is an blatant overreach in government authority and it will drive the costs of health care further – having a staggering impact on small businesses.
The legal challenge has not stopped NFIB from finding sensible alternatives to the ACA. NFIB has offered five solutions which will reduce health care costs, keep American’s insured and keep our Constitution intact.
As we all wait for the final ruling on this issue, NFIB will continue to work on behalf of our members in both Washington D.C. and in statehouses across the country to reduce health care costs. Revitalizing “Main Street” is paramount to the economic success of our country and the fundamental commitment of the National Federation of Independent Business.
