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Things are far from healthy in the US

It will be recalled that Obama campaigned on a platform of introducing health-cover for those without - some 42 million Americans at the time - and last year managed to get some reforms through the Congress. As this piece "First Anniversary: The Incredible Shrinking Obama Health Care Law" on CommonDreams so clearly points out the so-called reforms may be yet another example of no more than Obama PR spin.

"At its one year anniversary the Obama health care law is shrinking while the health care crisis grows. Americans who lack any health coverage still exceeds 50 million, over 45,000 deaths occur annually due to lack of health insurance, and 40 million Americans, including over 10 million children, are underinsured.

Premiums are rising and coverage is shrinking a new norm is taking hold in America: ‘Unaffordable underinsurance.’ This month, the number of waivers granted to the Obama health law broke 1,000 protecting inadequate insurance plans. The expansion of health insurance to the uninsured is becoming a mirage. The Obama administration has told states they could reduce the number of people covered by Medicaid as well as reduce the services provided. And, the centerpiece of the law is under court challenge – the mandate is the first time ever the federal government has forced Americans to buy a corporate product, private health insurance – is heading to a close Supreme Court decision."

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