FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT WASHINGTON Joe Biden’s second move: strengthen health coverage for the weakest sections of the population by deploying public resources. On Monday 9 November the newly elected president-elect presented his task force to manage the pandemic. Yesterday he took another step, promising to protect Obamacare “as if it were my family”.
–
For the past four years, the Donald Trump administration has tried to bury theAffordable care Act, the pivotal health care reform, approved in 2010. The republican party has always believed that citizens should be allowed the freedom to decide if and how to insure themselves to meet health costs. In 2017, Trump eliminated the requirement for everyone to take out an insurance policy. But the Senate, albeit with a conservative majority, failed to abolish the law. The Trumpian offensive, however, continued in the courts, up to the Supreme Court. Just yesterday the nine togates of the highest judicial body began the examination of the California v. Texas.
–
Surprisingly, one of the three judges appointed by Trump, Brett Kavanaugh, supports the thesis more favorable to the progressive front. Here is the judge’s reasoning, in the form of a syllogism. First: the administration has canceled the penalties for those who have not signed a policy. Second: Congress, however, was unable to cancel the entire legislation. Conclusion: Obamacare can remain in effect, even if partially mutilated. The college president, moderate John Roberts, also shares Kavanaugh’s position. This means that this could be the final orientation of the Supreme Court.
–
If so, Biden would have ample room to develop his plan. The new president starts from the scenario created with Covid and the devastating economic crisis. Millions of people have lost their jobs and often the linked health insurance. More generally, many Americans are no longer able to take out a policy on the market, where costs vary from about 250 to $ 1,000 per month, according to age, health conditions, coverage requested. Biden, therefore, wants to build an emergency lane, offering public subsidies to those who risk being left without any protection. It should always be remembered that Obamacare has reduced the number of citizens without coverage from 48 to about 25 million people. Biden also aims to reduce the age for accessing the Medicare program, the network for the elderly, from 65 to 60, and to extend Medicaid benefits for the poorest.
–
The political context will, of course, matter. For now, Trump is fueling the conflict. Biden holds the point: “His attitude is embarrassing, but it won’t stop our transition plans.” Obama’s former number two tries to ease the tension by announcing that he will not appeal against the administration that hinders the transfer of power.
–
Meanwhile, calls from abroad are coming from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The call from Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will also arrive shortly, already agreed through diplomatic channels.
–
–
November 10, 2020 (change November 10, 2020 | 22:57)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
–
