Individualism: The Hidden Reason For The Objection To Obamacare

On March 23 rd, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed the Patience Protection and Affordable Care Act by a slim margin of 7 votes(219:212). The Act is commonly nicknamed as Obamacare because it was signed into law by President Obama Barack.The Patience Protection and Affordable Care Act was aimed at expanding the coverage of the health care insurance for Americans by increasing taxes, and increasing the government control in the healthcare marketplace. However, the enforcement of the law initiated great discontent among Americans.Most of the Americans who oppose to Obamacare are Republicans and conservatives. There are mainly three kinds of criticism. The first is criticizing Obamacare as a betrayal of limited government. The second is opposing the tax hike brought by Obamacare. The third is blaming Obamacare’s violation of citizens’ right of free choice.This thesis argues that individualism is a buried motive for numerous Americans to oppose to Obamacare. The study reveals three reasons-- limited government, fewer taxes, free choice-- for the protest which is actually backed by the dominant value of individualism.