Missourians must make an effort to understand health care reform

By Dr. James R. Kimmey

and Ryan Barker

Just a year ago, the President signed into law the historic, yet controversial, Affordable Care Act.

Missourians remain sharply divided in their opinion of the law, as half of respondents oppose it, 30 percent support it, and 20 percent were undecided, according to a survey by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Much of the opposition is centered on the law's "individual mandate," requiring all Americans to carry health insurance. The arguments being heard in courts focus on the mandate's constitutionality. The real issue is not one of legality, but rather fairness. People who have health insurance ultimately pay for those who do not in the form of higher premiums and increased costs.

Opposition to the law indicates a more significant issue -- misunderstanding and misinformation about the law. From politicians to health care professionals to everyday citizens, few of us have read the law. Many of the news commentators we rely on to inform us haven't read it either. The passage of the most sweeping health reform law ever enacted obliges us to understand how it affects us.

Our collective lack of understanding about the law surfaced in our survey. Only 22 percent of respondents knew that all provisions discussed in the survey were part of the law. Yet these same participants overwhelmingly voiced support for many of the law's key provisions, regardless of their political leaning, age, sex or race. For example, 88 percent supported giving small businesses tax credits that make it easier for them to purchase health insurance for employees, and 88 percent agreed we need protections against price gouging by health insurance companies.

We've already seen more than 20 of the law's provisions take effect, affecting children, adults, senior citizens and current and future health care professionals. These provisions extend new preventive care benefits; close the Medicare "doughnut hole"; provide incentives for medical students to practice in underserved areas upon graduation; and much more.

Understanding the components of health reform is the first step toward being able to have a reasonable discussion about the law's strengths and limitations. Creating a healthier Missouri comes down to understanding how the law will affect you both as an individual and as a citizen. As a state, we need to commit to separating the fact from the fiction so we can move forward.

Dr. James R. Kimmey, is the president and CEO of the Missouri Foundation for Health, and Ryan Barker is the director of health policy for the organization.