When Racism Is Embedded In Healthcare

November 13, 2025

The author argues that healthcare reform and welfare programs have been deliberately racialized through strategic messaging that falsely portrays them as primarily benefiting people of color, when White Americans actually constitute the majority of recipients. The article specifically criticizes how the Affordable Care Act was rebranded as "Obamacare" and suggests this racial coding was used to manipulate public opinion, particularly among MAGA supporters during a government shutdown. Mainstream media is accused of perpetuating this racial framing by consistently using "Obamacare" instead of the legislation's proper name.

Who is affected

All Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act for healthcare coverage
People of color who are falsely characterized as the primary beneficiaries of social programs
White Americans who actually constitute the majority of welfare and ACA recipients
MAGA supporters who were influenced by the racial framing during the government shutdown
Democrats who advocated for healthcare protection during the government shutdown

What action is being taken

Mainstream media is consistently referring to the Affordable Care Act as "Obamacare"
The Affordable Care Act is providing healthcare benefits to millions of Americans
The program is currently saving lives and helping millions of recipients

Why it matters

This matters because the racial coding of social programs through strategic naming conventions manipulates public opinion and generates opposition based on racial prejudice rather than policy substance. When healthcare reform is framed as primarily benefiting people of color, it exploits racial resentment to undermine support for programs that actually benefit all Americans, including the White majority. This racialization strategy has historically been used to dismantle social safety nets and can lead people to vote against their own economic interests.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint