We knew stories like this were only a matter of time:
Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them.
Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors’ offices, human resources departments and business groups.
“They’re saying, ‘Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?’ ” said Carrie McLean, a licensed agent for eHealthInsurance.com. The California-based company sells coverage from 185 health insurance carriers in 50 states.
McLean said the call center had been inundated by uninsured consumers who were hoping that the overhaul would translate into instant, affordable coverage. That widespread misconception may have originated in part from distorted rhetoric about the legislation bubbling up from the hyper-partisan debate about it in Washington and some media outlets, such as when opponents denounced it as socialism.
So who is to blame for all the confusion? Simple answer – everyone.
First we have the Republicans, who spent the last year lying about health care reform. They made it sound like it was going to be free care for all, similar to Canada or the UK.
Then we have the media, who acted as a vehicle for these lies. They constantly let them go unchallenged.
Finally we have the Democrats, who didn’t organize a strong enough media presence to counter the lies.
So everyone is guilty. Welcome to the mess that is U.S. politics.