Poor Claire McCaskill. She can’t feel good about visiting home in Missouri this week, trying to explain why she voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), after the August 3 referendum for Proposition C revealed the unpopularity of health care reform among Missourians. Even last year, when public opinion of President Obama and health care reform was higher, McCaskill faced tough crowds at home in town hall meetings in Missouri.
I was interested in what she was going to say this time around. Well, first she told audiences that the Prop C vote wouldn’t change the inevitable. McCaskill may be right about the ineffectiveness of Proposition C, because federal law can always trump state law. The best hope for opponents is in the District Court system, where many cases question the constitutionality of the federal law.
But then she told audiences her vote in favor of the PPACA was difficult and unpopular, but necessary. From the Kansas City Star article:
“It’s hard to get anything done without making some people mad,” she said. “Overall, as time goes on, and people learn how this bill will be implemented, and learn that what they’ve heard is not true in regards to parts of this bill … I believe it will become more and more accepted by the people I work for.”
I’ve already written about how more knowledge about the bill doesn’t make it more popular. In an August 9 poll, 55% of Americans favored repealing the Act – despite the massive PR campaign launched by the White House to defend and explain the reform. Congressmen and women who supported the PPACA and voted for it should stop wasting time and energy on trying to sell it to constituents. Instead, they should do their jobs as public servants and listen to the majority of Americans who want them to sign a Discharge Petition for repeal.
I liked this comment from forum participant Kerry Blevins of Knob Noster, Mo. He voted in favor of Prop C:
“The rest of the country was looking at us. I don’t think it will stop in Missouri.”