Letter to the editor: Obamacare only bad for special interests

The constant pitch you hear from conservative publications, talk shows and columnists: Obamacare is bad.

The reason: There is a well funded and organized group that benefits billions from the status quo. The various "think tanks" were set up for the purpose of promoting their ideology that maintains their flow of wealth and power. Facts are ignored or manipulated.

The starting date for the main parts of the Affordable Care Act take effect Jan. 1, but several things have already occurred that the "liberal" media overlooked.

The part that lets young adults stay on their parents insurance has given insurance to about 3 million uninsured, free preventive care has enabled about 71 million to get flu shots etc., and 34 million under Medicare also used this service.

Children with pre-existing conditions now have to be covered, which is estimated to be about 17 million more being insured.

Community health centers were provided for in the law, which will benefit about 3 million more people. A reinsurance program that is designed to help employers keep retirees' coverage intact, benefiting approximately 19 million.

Thanks to the law, insurance companies now have to spend 80 to 85 percent of premium revenue on claims or quality improvements or refund difference to policy holders. In 2012 this amounted to $1.1 billion being refunded. The average premium increase in 2012 was 30 percent lower than 2010.

We have been trying to get health care in this country for at least 70 years and the special interests have always defeated it. The rest of the advanced countries have had it for years.

We spend more on health care than the next 10 highest spending countries combined and we rank 37th. That's Conservacare.

Leon Logan

Tucumcari