There are two critical narratives here--separate but related facets of the relevant reality:
Obamacare was a grotesque extension of the unconstitutional meddling in civilian health care initiated by LBJ, which had already demonstrably managed to triple the percentage of GDP that went to health care by the time of the Clintons effort to extend the Federal role in civilian health care. It was already clearly evident that something as immediate as the relation of patient and physician is inherently local, inherently personal; and hence completely unsuitable for bureaucratic meddling.
The over two thousand year history of patient/physician relationships, had demonstrated before either LBJ, Clinton or Obama, the safety net that ethically responsible physicians had already extended to those in need--that is in never refusing treatment to one who could not pay. Thus by any measure, practical, legal or socially altruistic, the advent of Obamacare was a massive step in a very wrong direction.
Thus common sense, law & honest concern for the poor American or an unhealthy American, cry out for the repeal of Obamacare. We have no argument there.
But the other reality, is the present makeup of Congress--a Republican majority, but not a Republican Conservative majority. Hence Donald Trump tried to get a first phase of moving in the right direction through Congress--and I suspect he will try again, after getting some other needed things done. The all or nothing approach to health care fails to accomplish the little that really could be accomplished with a little patience and determination.
There are two targets on which we realists need to focus:
One, turn the tide of increased meddling, and begin to reduce the bureaucratic intrusion. At the same time, carefully explaining the realities to the voting public, to build a stronger grass roots movement to increase the strength of those who understand reality in Congress. The one thing we dare not allow is the pendulum to swing back to more intrusive policy.
Let's all take a deep breath and go forward to the extent we can. Let us make certain that our bold, brave and very intelligent President, understands that we remain all in for an American future--and that includes our clear understanding that there is nothing "American" about Obamacare.
William Flax
I have one comment on your well done post. Yes, you speak of a time when a doctor treated a sick person regardless of his ability to pay.
That was a time in which individual Americans despised the thought of charity. It was seen as shameful. If a person could not pay with money, he or she would barter items such as food, or one would work for the doctor to pay off the debt.
Too many people today feel entitled. Doctors have bills, just like we all do.