Rx For GOP Extinction

By Sniffles

We cats are firmly convinced that even if the White House had communicated effectively about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, the Republicans would still be acting like idiots and trying to repeal it a hundred million times.

But we do fault the Obama Administration for not making people realize just what the ACA has already done to help ordinary Americans — and what it's about to do. Therefore (sigh), we'll do the White House's work for them and give you this quick Obamacare snapshot.

Here are just some of the things the Affordable Care Act has done:

• Expanded wellness and preventive care coverage under Medicare.
• Given discounts on Part D drugs in the coverage gap. (It'll close the gap completely in 2020).
• Kept insurance companies from denying coverage if you're sick or have a pre-existing condition.
• Allowed your kids to stay on your health insurance until age 26.
• Set up insurance exchanges — starting this October 1 — which will offer health insurance at competitive premiums for those without coverage.
• Expanded Medicaid — at least, in states without hard-hearted Republican governors.
• Banned insurance companies from imposing annual dollar caps on coverage.
• Expanded coverage for home- and community-based healthcare services.

So have at it, Republicans: If you're scared enough that the teabaggers will primary you in 2014 with somebody to the right of Attila the Hun, go ahead and vote for the 100th time to repeal all this stuff. Or force a government showdown over it. That'll be even better!

But by this time next year, with more benefits hitting home, many more folks will know just how Obamacare is helping them. And then, it'll be the way of the Whigs for you. We cats PURR.