MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Opinion

Discussion

November 15, 2012

Oklahomans wait for answers

— State officials wasted taxpayer time and money by failing to act in a responsible manner on the implementation of Obamacare.

The deadline for states to commit to building the framework for delivering health insurance to millions is today.

And the state is no closer to telling its citizens which direction Oklahoma will be going regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Gov. Mary Fallin agreed to accept $54 million in federal funds to help set up an insurance exchange in 2011.

Fallin backed off when she felt pressure from her Republican Party.

Then the plan seemed to change to one of hope.

Republican leaders in Oklahoma hoped the Supreme Court would rule the act unconstitutional.

Then they hoped President Barack Obama would lose the White House and Republicans would take over Congress.

If that happened, Republicans would have been in position to repeal the law.

None of those events happened.

Oklahomans who struggle to feed their families and pay for insurance remain without answers.

It is beyond irresponsible for Fallin and the state to fail to at least have a contingency plan if their hopes for repeal faded.

Obamacare is the law of the land.

It must be addressed with some responsibility and not like schoolchildren taking their ball and going home when they don’t win.

State leaders should have been ready with an alternative. They should have been ready with answers.

Yet, Oklahomans wait.

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