In recent weeks politicians and the media have been preoccupied with ISIS, Donald Trump and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” marking a major shift in attention away from Obamacare. After dominating the media cycle with its rocky start, including crashing enrollment websites, Republican votes to repeal the legislation (61 votes so far), and damning forecasts of spiraling costs, millions of previously chronically uninsured people now have access to medical care. It is not an understatement to make the claim that lives were likely saved as a result of Obamacare, but alas our collective attention is on to different things these days.
The benefits to these newly insured are clearly significant. Studies have shown 30 – 50% reductions in mortality from having health insurance, not to mention reduced fear and anxiety, and the potentially ruinous financial burden that comes from going without insurance. But the benefits don’t just stop with the individuals the legislation helped. The Affordable Care Act created legions of newly minted medical consumers which benefited the bottom line of the companies that cared for them, their executives, and investors who enjoyed incredible stock returns.
For investors who bet on healthcare stocks during the roll out of the ACA, the portfolio returns have been stellar...
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