Despite 40 votes to rescind the legislation and all sorts of other efforts, the monster that threatens to sink the GOP is still alive and is just about to show itself in its full regalia to the world. Yep, the derisively named (by right wingers) “Obamacare” will start popping up on computers across the land. Potential customers are all aquiver with excitement. Medical offices are bracing for an onslaught of people they have never seen before looking for a rare treat for them: medical care.

Obamacare has been slowly waking up over the past years. One piece concerning keeping children on their parents’ health care coverage started a couple years back. It has been well received. From what I have read, no parents have thrown their children off their health care and told them that they have to make it the old fashioned way, the Republican way. That was health care where if you can’t afford the insurance or you have a problem that the insurance company won’t cover, then you are on your own. It may lead to death, but the insurance company would make its profit. But as I said, few people took that option once the other was available.

Another piece of Obamacare that has already reared its ugly head is the end of non-coverage for pre-existing conditions. That was the practice of the insurance company getting a pass for paying insurance for what made people sick. Seemed like darn near everything was a pre-existing condition and insurance companies could call up the customer and have a friendly chat with him or her and say “You know that little illness you had that ran up a million in charges last month? Well we found out you ate a snail when you were two and we are sure that that is what caused your problem. So we are not covering those charges. Good luck selling your home and belongings.”

From what I have heard there has been little clamor to put that pre-existing condition stuff back in. Maybe someone should do a survey among the inner sanctum of the Heritage Foundation or ALEC. Bet some real believer has insisted that the insurance companies not be held liable for pre-existing conditions. If they really thought Obamacare was bad they would make a very public show and call the insurance company and reject the idea that pre-existing conditions not be covered for them. Someone be sure to call me when that happens.

There have been other sections of “Obamacare” which have gone into effect and so far we have heard little call to stop these individual sections. At the same time we have seen in some states where premium rates have been revealed, that most people are seeing lower rates. Businesses across the country have seen savings in their health care costs, many substantial. Now that access to decent insurance and health care are getting close, a large segment of the country is getting excited.

So I thought I would interview a potential customer of Obamacare to see what he thought. That would be me.

Q? Why should I have to pay for your health care?
A: Well lets say I have a highly contagious deadly disease. Would you rather have me checked at a hospital or walking around in the population coughing on everybody? Besides, you already pay for healthcare for those who end up in the emergency room and can’t pay. Did you even know that?

Q? Don’t you think this is a step toward communism?
A: Hardly. Society as a whole has interest in having certain things held in common. Things like roads and sewage and water and utilities. I see health care as one of those where the health of one citizen can be a threat to all. Therefore it is something that we all have interest in.

Q? Why should I pay for people who don’t take care of themselves?
A: I believe most people try to take care of themselves within their means and ability. But when you have no money and access to good diet and learning healthy habits is next to impossible to take care of oneself properly.

Q? Look, if parents can’t pay to bring up their kids, why should I have to pay for them?
A: Odd how we can see atrocities against children in other countries and we get riled up, but when it is here in our country we can brush it off and ignore it. Going without proper health and dental care, nutrition and schools leads to a continuation of the poverty cycle. Maybe with some decent health care we can start to break that cycle.

Q? I suppose you can’t wait for your free health insurance?
A: It will hardly be free. But customers across the country have found that under Obamacare coverage has been much greater for much lower premiums.

Sounds good to me.

Q? So what is Iowa doing?
A: Well like many Republican governors, Branstad tried to help sink Obamacare by refusing to set up the health insurance exchange for his state. Therefore the federal government set up the exchange. We won’t see it until October first, but I am very hopeful there will be better coverage for a more reasonable rate. I have also heard that dental insurance may be available.

If you haven’t heard, the health insurance exchange for Iowa will be online at www.healthcare.gov on October 1. And if you do not understand something, there will be an 800 number to call. I have talked to them and they were extremely helpful.