Obama's Health Care Reform 2010: From Change to Concession?

Health care reform as an example for structural resistance of the American political system to needed change

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: 1,0, Maastricht University, language: English, abstract: Regarding Obama's health care reform 2010, this paper aims to examine a supposed incongruence of the social democratic ideal of an affordable health care system with the US political system. It tries to shed light into the paradox of an unequal and ineffective health care system on the one hand and strong resistance against any type of reform on the other. Major obstacles in the legislative process, such as the Republican Party and the impact of interest groups, are examined. It should become clear that the neo-liberal ideal of a free market coined by many Republicans, was an important obstacle to Obama's health care reform. However, much more important was the enormous impact of interest groups, which can be regarded as the main driving forces in hindering smooth legislation.