Want to know if things will change in Washington this year? See whether politicians of both parties start referring to the Affordable Care Act by name, instead of calling it “Obamacare.” Repealing Obamacare would be a Republican victory; preserving it a Democratic victory. Both parties call it “Obamacare” to rally their core supporters. They will never compromise or reform so long as that is what they call it, because both sides would prefer prolonging the fight to risking a loss. But if they start to refer to it as the ACA, it will signal that ego and political posturing are being set aside in order to make something happen. So if you’re hopeful for change, listen for the words “Affordable Care Act.”
(Yeah, I know. Not my usual content for this blog, but words matter in discussions of farm policy too.)
