The Affordable Care Act has a huge impact on people’s lives. For some, it is literally life-saving. Here are some of your stories about what quality, affordable health care means that our lobbyists are sharing with congressional offices.
Alison L., Pennsylvania
“My daughter, Abby, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Essentially, she is missing the left side of her heart. She is now 10 years old thanks to the excellent healthcare she was received, in part due to the ACA.
I had to think about what we would do if it came down to choosing between paying for life saving care for Abby, or keeping a roof over our heads.
“Abby was born before the ACA, and it was terrifying. Terrifying to have the hospital’s financial department come talk to you before you child is even born about hiding your assets, and telling you that your house would be the last thing they would try to take. That your husband should not, under any circumstance, change jobs. That we were extremely lucky that our insurance did not have the caps so many others did, because Abby would likely reach them before she was even a month old. Terrifying that in addition to having to worry about if my baby would live long enough to see her first birthday, I had to think about what we would do if it came down to choosing between paying for life saving care for Abby, or keeping a roof over our heads.
“Our story is not unique. This was the reality for millions of families with sick children before the ACA. I cannot describe to you the relief I felt when the ACA was passed. We could focus solely on Abby’s care, and although I still worry about her future, I could stop worrying if she would be discriminated against, or if she would struggle to get the care she needs to stay alive.
“The repeal of the ACA would be devastating for millions of Americans. This is not a Democrat or a Republican issue. Disease doesn’t care who you voted for, and we’re all just on diagnosis or accident away from depending on the protections the ACA affords.”
Stephen S., South Dakota
What does access to health care mean for you?
“In November 2016, our 48 year old son-in-law was diagnoses with myeloma cancer. Doctors say he has perhaps 5-7 years to live. He has a good job and health insurance now, but faces several years of radiation, chemotherapy and stem cell transplants which may make it impossible to keep his job. He clearly faces very high medical costs. If he loses his job and insurance coverage he will have a pre-existing condition and may find it impossible to get coverage at a cost his family can afford. Further, he will likely face high lifetime costs likely exceeding the kind of limits there used to be on health care prior to the Affordable Care Act. We are very concerned for him, our daughter and our 11 year old grandchild who now face very high medical costs with no assurance they will be able to get or afford insurance coverage.”
Sarah E., Maine
“Obamacare has enabled me to gain healthcare coverage with my mother because I am under 26 years of age. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, I have been hospitalized 3 times due to complication from Septicaemia. Without my healthcare coverage, I would be in thousands of dollars in debt to local doctors and hospitals. This would be an enormous burden on me and my family, particularly as I struggle to pay off student debt. Repealing the Affordable Care Act without immediately replacing it with a comparable or improved health care plan would have disastrous consequences on me and my family.”
Sarah K., Alaska
“I am a medical provider, a physician assistant (PA), needing ACA to cover myself and my 3 children. My husband is also a PA who works for a small rural community health center that is unable to provide health insurance coverage for spouse and children. I work for an urgent care center that can cover me after I have worked one year for them, but it would not provide coverage for my children. Therefore, I and my children remain insured with and dependent on the ACA. I am extremely grateful for ACA and the security it provides us. My family needs the ACA to remain protected, covered, and not vulnerable to financial insecurity and bankruptcy if we were to lose insurance and go without. As PAs, my husband and I meet patients every day who are also dependent on ACA. To lose the ACA would be catastrophic particularly without a clear replacement. Even with a clear replacement, the work of reinventing the wheel will be huge and very expensive. Please keep the ACA and work to improve it. Please do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. ACA protects millions and could cripple our economy, health system and society if repealed.”
Ruth B., Tennessee
“I am a small business owner- the only employee, and the only way that I can afford decent coverage is through the Affordable Care Act.”
Virginia S., Virginia
“I have tumors on my face called Trichoepitheliomas. I am a 26 year old woman. I am married to my high school sweetheart. I would love to have children with him one day. But Trichopitheliomas are associated with some unpleasant conditions that I would not want to pass onto my children.
“The ban on denying coverage for pre-existing conditions in the Affordable Care Act has allowed me to comfortable seek counseling without fear of financial repercussions. I am currently undergoing the process of genetic testing.
Support the Affordable Care Act
“All I want to do is be able to plan how to keep myself healthy and my future family healthy. But now, I am fearful of what coverage might be denied to me on the basis of pre-existing conditions. Now, I have considered cancelling my genetic tests. Now, I have to worry about the potential of medical financial bankruptcy and sub-standard insurance coverage.
“The Affordable Care Act has empowered me to plan and prepare for my health and my future without fear. Please don’t take that away from me.”
