7.1 million reasons for Obamacare victory lap

By Jonathan Capehart,

You’re darned right President Obama and Vice President Biden took a victory lap in the Rose Garden to celebrate the success of the Affordable Care Act.

Four years after the bill was passed by Congress, signed by the president and declared “a big f—ing deal” by Biden, 7.1 million people signed up for health coverage.

Despite 50 votes or more to repeal the law that makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage because you have a pre-existing condition, among other things, 7.1 million people signed up for health coverage.

Despite Republicans holding hostage the full faith and credit of the United States in exchange for repeal of the law, thus threatening the global economy, 7.1 million people signed up for health care.

Despite 19 states not moving forward on Medicaid expansion that would provide care to their citizens, 7.1 million people signed up for health coverage. According to a study by the Rand Corporation reported by the Los Angeles Times, “at least 4.5 million previously uninsured adults have signed up for state Medicaid programs” in the 27 states and the District of Columbia that offer them.

Despite numerous efforts to scare the hell out of people, including employing a Creepy Uncle Sam in two videos to convince young invincibles not to sign up, 7.1 million people signed up for health coverage.

And despite the disastrous rollout of HealthCare.gov that undermined faith in the law, its goals and Obama himself, 7.1 million signed up for health coverage.

“Change is hard,” the president said in a speech in the Rose Garden punctuated throughout by applause. “Fixing what’s broken is hard. Overcoming skepticism and fear of something new is hard. A lot of times folks would prefer the devil they know to the devil they don’t. But this law is doing what it’s supposed to do. It’s working.”

Sure is and Obama was right to crow about it.

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