Fighting health care reform unproductive

The Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is blatantly political and counterproductive. Republicans drummed up fear and anger around health insurance reform before the midterm elections and now are wasting time, energy and money to satisfy their debt to the insurance industry for supporting Republican political campaigns.

Health care, like food and shelter, is a basic human need. The old health care system was broken — ineffective and unjust — and getting worse. Opponents of the Affordable Care Act say they want to improve the health care system, but the fact is they have fought health care reform tooth and nail for decades and will likely continue to do so. If they were sincere about fixing the broken health care system, they would be working to improve — not repeal — the Affordable Care Act.

The basic and vital concept of the common good seems to be lost on these politicians and their supporters. Our country can compete more effectively globally and is healthier economically when its citizens are healthy.

The health care industry along with other massive industries, have become a fourth branch of government, calling the shots in Washington, D.C., to the detriment not only of the health and well-being of the people, but also to the strength of the United States as a whole.

Jody Oesterreicher

DeKalb