Obamacare Enrollment Through California State and Federal Exchanges Begins

Prof. Mathews, interviewed on KTLK AM 1150, the David Cruz Show, notes that states, like California, that strongly supported the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and established their own exchanges, had far higher rates of health insurance enrollment than states that were not supportive of the law. These states, like Texas, refused to set up state exchanges and had to rely on the federal exchange system, which had a technically rocky roll out. In the first month, California enrolled 35,000 people; Texas enrolled less than 3,000. 

Mathews also explained why many Americans' bare boned health care plans were cancelled because they did not meet Obamacare's coverage standards, despite the President's earlier assurances that people who like their health care could keep it. 

Mathews suggested that the government should subsidize the purchase, by these people, of the higher priced, higher coverage plans required by the Affordable Care Act. Professor Mathews pointed out that the Health Care Industry had contributed $33,000,000 (opensecrets.org) to Congressional campaigns in the 2013-14 election cycle alone.

Mathews continued, saying that with this kind of special interest influence over Congress, it is not surprising that President Obama was not able to include his "public option" (government funded non-profit health insurance, as a choice for those who would prefer it) in Obamacare. Also, a single-payer Medicare for all health care system, which Mathews says would be the simplest and most efficient system, was never seriously considered by the President or the majority of Congress, because of the campaign funding and lobbying inflluence of the Health Care Industry.  

Cuts in SNAP, Education, Social Security, Head Start, slow our Pursuit of Happiness

In a recent radio appearance with David Cruz on The David Cruz Show, KTLK AM 1150 (Progressive Talk), Political Analyst Peter Mathews finds that cuts, allowed by Congress in the Food Stamp program, which began Nov. 1, have affected 47 million Americans. An average family of four has lost $36 per month, reducing their allotment to $632, resulting in a loss of 21 meals per month; although $1 in food stamp spending generates $1.70 in economic activity.

Professor Mathews says that Congress' callousness and shortsightedness is causing an increase in existing hunger in America. He pointed out that 1 out of 5 American children go to bed hungry one or more days in the month, although the United States produces enough food to feed everyone in the U.S. and many in the world.

Mathews notes that in the American Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote that the State (Government) must guarantee the Natural Rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, which is our ability to find a measure of fulfillment through education and a decent paying job. The U.S. ranks 17th in the World Happiness Report published by the U.N. and compiled by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland rank in the top 5. Unlike the U.S., all of them have extensive social programs such as free of individual charge education and health care, universal child care, paid parental leave, and several weeks of guaranteed annual paid vacation. There is a correlation between the number of effective, social/empowerment programs that a nation has and the level of happiness among its population.

Mathews noted that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is on the budget negotiating committee in Congress, has clearly stated that we must not cut American social programs, but must protect them and invest in job creation, education, and rebuilding our infrastructure. Mathews agrees, and says that this will strengthen the economy, rebuild the middle class, and guarantee that more people can pursue their happiness! 

What do you think?