Pay no attention to that iceberg ahead!
James C. Capretta
National Review Online
1/23/2012
Last week, the White House issued a new “study” on the supposed progress states have made in implementing the “health exchanges” that are central to constructing the Obamacare system. According to the administration’s spin, some 28 states are “on their way” toward establishing the exchanges, so everything is apparently well under control. In other words, nothing to worry about here. Full speed ahead!
But is that really what’s going on here?
Because, even if one were to accept the White House’s accounting (which one shouldn’t), that would mean that 22 states — roughly 40 percent of the country — are not “on their way” toward erecting the Obamacare exchanges. Isn’t that a problem? Further, upon closer inspection, it’s clear that many of the 28 states that are supposedly “on their way” really aren’t “on their way.” That’s just comical White House spin, in which the truly inconsequential — the acceptance of minor federal grant money, or the setting up of a committee to “study” the question — is elevated into a sure sign that Obamacare is a fait accompli. It’s ridiculous…
…according to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle, if the states aren’t ready to go with the exchanges in early 2013, then the federal government will step in and run the whole program itself.
Really?
Because, if the federal government is going to do this, it would need the capacity to run successfully what will be one of the nation’s largest welfare programs…
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