Do you remember your last birthday? What was it that you wished for? Did you get it? I ask because this week marks Obamacare’s first birthday! Birthdays are generally a cause for joy and celebration — but this birthday is an exception.
It has become apparent that “Exceptions may become the rule as the ‘Affordable Care Act’ (Obamacare) heads into its second year,” according to Politico reporter Sarah Kliff. So get used to exceptions and inequality under this law. All people will be treated equally under the Obamacare mandate, but some will be treated more equally than others. Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey explains that the entire act is filled with language that reads, “The Secretary (of Health and Human Services) shall determine.” This prefix is of course in reference to who has to abide by the mandate, and who has the ability to “opt out” of the constitutionally debatable law.
In the year since Obamacare’s passage, at least 1,040 requests for Obamacare waivers have been arbitrarily granted because Secretary Sebelius determined the recipients to be worthy. And who might these groups be? The selected organizations read like a donor list to Organizing for America, the DNC, and other left-leaning political outfits. Here are some of the most notable opt-outers:
Indiana Teamsters Health Benefits Fund
Teamsters Local 522 Welfare Fund, Roofers Division
1199 SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund
Social Service Employees Union Local 371
I could continue listing the waiver recipients until my fingers tired from typing, but the point is clear: Those who are exempt are so because they already have taxpayer-subsidized health care. Why would they need federal mandates when they already have coerced their local cities, towns, and states to acquiesce to their demands?
The bottom line is this: President Obama realizes that the health care law that he “gave” the American people last year was an unwanted gift. He has already allowed his friends to give it back, but he won’t allow those who he doesn’t like to return the item. Obamacare is a multitrillion-dollar tax hike that will put us on the same page as England, Canada, and other countries with socialized medicine: everyone has coverage, but nobody can get service!
Rob Lockwood is the Director of Communications for the College Republican National Committee. He is a graduate of The George Washington University. He can be reached at rlockwood@crnc.org.