オバマのアメリカ 医療改革法案が通過

オバマのアメリカ 医療改革法案通過に成功

「中間選挙で試されるオバマのチェンジ」

－故ジョンソン大統領以来の改革はオバマにとって吉か凶か？－

ゲッティイメージが配信。ニューヨークタイムズ電子版に掲載された写真。ナンシー・ペローシ下院議長が法案通過に際に使用された

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, carried the gavel that was used when Medicare was passed.

子ども時代をすごしたインドネシアを含むアジア外遊を２度までも中止して、医療改革法案通過の議会工作に集中したオバマ大統領 が勝利した。ニューヨークタイムズ 電子版記事を一部引用する。

By a vote of 219 to 212, the House passed the bill after a day of tumultuous debate that echoed the epic struggle of the last year. The action sent the bill to President Obama, whose crusade for such legislation has been a hallmark of his presidency.

民主党が多数を占める米下院だが、票差わずか７票。法案通過に失敗していれば、オバマ政権にとっては致命傷になるぎりぎりのところだった。

暗殺されたケネディー大統領の後をついだジョンソン大統領が成立させたメディケア以来の医療保険改革は、３２００万人の無保険者に医療保険を与えることになるという。それでもなお２３００万人が無保険状態。

大統領の署名を待った法案は成立するが、果たしてこの法案はオバマにとって吉か凶か？

なんども行われている世論調査では、５０パーセント以上の米国民が医療改革に反対している。

今年１１月に行われる中間選挙で、どのような反応を国民が示すのか。結果いかんではオバマ大統領再選の可能性が薄くなることもありえる。

思えば、「偉大なる社会」を唱えて、公民権法、医療改革などで成果を挙げたジョンソン大統領も、ベトナムの泥沼に足をとられて大統領選挙に出馬することもできなかった。

さてオバマはどうなる・・・

オバマ大統領が法案通過数時間後に、メールで支持者に送ったメッセージは以下の通り。

Yoji -- For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here. Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished: Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage. Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever. And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children. But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers. It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe. It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill. And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need. This is what change looks like. My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you. This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains. Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief. We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in. Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can. Thank you, President Barack Obama

(Global Photo Exchange Yoji Sugaya)