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The Passage of Health Care Legislation and Implications for the Environment

Guest post by: Richard Matthews

Article Overview: The President managed to pass historic health care legislation despite the Republican's best efforts to misinform, derail and delay. By a vote of 219 to 212, the House approved one of the most important pieces of American legislation in more than 40 years. Despite the momentus victory for the American people, the fight over health care has ominous implications for climate change legislation.

The Passage of Health Care Legislation and Implications for the Environment

The President managed to pass historic health care legislation despite the Republican's best efforts to misinform, derail and delay. On Sunday March 21, by a vote of 219 to 212, the House approved one of the most important pieces of American legislation in more than 40 years. Going forward, 32 million more Americans will have access to health care while saving over $1 trillion and providing millions of jobs. The legislation also reduces fraud and waste in Medicare and pre-existing conditions will no longer be grounds for insurance companies to deny coverage.

Despite the momentus victory for the American people, the fight over health care has ominous implications for climate change legislation. Like a Swiss watch, we can expect more misinformation and the same obstructionist tactics from Republicans and special interests on the environment.

Those who think they can continue to foil honest efforts to improve America without consequences are sadly and dangerously mistaken. This legislation is a clarion call for the armies of lobbyists who have far too often dictated legislation. Although President Obama's popularity has plummeted, 80 percent of Americans are particularly disgusted with Congress.

The predictable Republican resistance to climate change will have dire consequences for the environment and the American economy. Besides compromising America's competitive positioning in cleantech and renewables, Republican obstructionism on the environment will further polarize Americans.

On March 9, an environmental group known as Friends of the Earth weighed in on the health care debate by participating in a march for health care reform in Washington, DC. Although their support for the environment is unequivocal, their passionate zeal has also led them to some extreme positions including opposition to free markets.

Environmental degradation is already taking its toll and frustration could enfranchise the radical views of organizations like Friends of the Earth.

Some industries are fundamentally incompatible with environmental legislation and they can be expected to fight to the bitter end. But there are many other businesses that can survive and even thrive by adopting greener practices.

The health insurance industry tried to hijack the debate with a well rehearsed strategy of misinformation and the same can be expected for climate change legislation. Businesses on the wrong side of this issue risk alienating consumers, and politicians are risking their political futures.

Once the dust settles, it may be the Republicans who fail to find favor with American voters. American voters may not abide the diabolical cabal of health insurance industry executives and Republicans who tried to sabotage health care reform.

If the Republicans are able to successfully derail climate change legislation this could have dire consequences. As the frustration builds, organizations like Friends of the Earth may come together in a popular bid to dismantle free markets.

Fear is the Republican weapon of choice, but it did not dissuade Democrats from succeeding where many before them have failed. Through inspired leadership, America has made a bold step forward.

This is the face of Change" President Obama said late last night, "We did not fear our future we shaped it."

Perhaps the passage of health care legislation will inspire Americans to support the change they voted for.

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Article Tags: clean energy, clean energy act, Clean Energy and Security Act, climate change legislation, Democrats, health care, health care reform, Historic Debate, Historic Legislation, Obama, Republicans



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