Not to be overly dramatic, but for me the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act was a matter of life and death. Because the law was largely upheld, I will be able to continue receiving treatment for breast cancer.
I was one of the early beneficiaries of the law. When I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer late last year, I had no health insurance, which meant my options were extremely limited. No insurer would pick up someone in my circumstances. But luckily, the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan had already kicked in, and it made it possible for me to purchase insurance under a government program.
I was uninsured not because I’m a lazy, freeloading deadbeat but because my husband and I are self-employed. We had been purchasing health insurance on the individual market along with 6 percent of the rest of the population. But after exhausting all of our resources trying to keep up with premiums of $1,500 a month, we had no choice but to cancel it.
I can tell you that “Obamacare” — at least the part I’ve participated in — works. A week ago, I had a double mastectomy after five months of chemotherapy. I have been receiving outstanding care in West Hills — no death panels, no rationing, no waiting, no government officials telling my doctors what to do, no denials of tests or treatments, none of the stuff that the plan’s critics said would happen.
Six months ago, when I first wrote about my situation in this newspaper, I got hate mail from people who said I deserved to die. But there was also a lot of curiosity and a lot of encouragement and support. Much of the curiosity was from abroad. Canadians, French, Italian, British and Swiss cannot understand why healthcare reform is so politicized here; why most people don’t know anything about the Affordable Care Act; how we can be so cruel to one another; and why we criticize their healthcare systems.
As a result of that Op-Ed, I have been asked to share my story a lot. I have obliged because I feel it is my civic duty to pay it forward.
I never thought I’d get cancer. Nobody does. Once you get it, your life is turned upside down. For five months I underwent four hours of chemotherapy treatments once a week. The side effects were brutal. Then, just a week ago, I had surgery, which entailed a three-day hospital stay. I’m writing about this not because I want pity but to make the point that undergoing chemotherapy and major surgery for cancer is stressful enough without having to worry about being able to pay for it.
Most people do not have any idea what is in the Affordable Care Act, yet public opinion polls find that the majority of Americans are against it. The free press hasn’t done its job in reporting the facts. And the Republicans have done a far better job of spreading lies and scaring people than the Democrats have done educating people. It stuns me how many Americans believe erroneously that they will be kicked off their existing private healthcare plans if the law survives.
I’m immensely relieved that the Affordable Care Act survived the Supreme Court. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe. John Boehner and Mitt Romney are still determined to repeal the law, and they could succeed if Americans don’t educate themselves, and that doesn’t mean simply listening to the talking heads on Fox News. The Affordable Care Act is quite likely to affect your life at some point. And it may already have if, like me, you found yourself uninsured and facing a crisis, or if your post-college children couldn’t find jobs that provided them with health insurance.
Now is an excellent time to learn about the law. You might want to start at http://www.heathcare.gov, which has excellent information about what the Affordable Care Act does and doesn’t do. But wherever you go for information, take some time to understand this historical legislation before you comment.
• Ward heads a nonprofit arts education organization in Los Angeles. Her blog Health Hazards is at highdeductibles.blogspot.com.
Comments (24)
Add commentThank you so much
For your commentary. It's important for people like you to stand up and dispel the lies about Obamacare. Especially those of Romney, who never had the pride in what he did for the people in Massachusetts to add his support of a national program that worked so well in the state he governed. What a coward.
No one said that the
No one said that the uninsured are "lazy, freeloading deadbeat(s)", however, this particular writer is an irresponsible adult that evidently likes to take chances and then expect someone else to pay for her irresponsibility.
Perhaps she and her husband should have faced reality and realized that their "nonprofit arts education organization in Los Angeles" wasn't making ends meet and one of them should have gotten a real job that had medical benefits. Sometimes we all have to get our heads out of the clouds and face reality.
And I have a hard time believing that in California (you know, the place where even non-citizens can get excellent medical care) this woman couldn't find a hospital that wouldn't work with her situation. There are many programs where the "poor" can get help.
Is anyone else tired of the pity party stories that the left continues to parade out in hopes of convincing the rest of us that socialized medicine is the end all to be all?
It's not working - just look at the polls.
Regarding the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan -
"Despite enrollment of just 13 percent of the projected number, the high-risk pools may still exhaust their appropriated $5 billion before 2014. While the very nature of a high-risk pool incurs higher per-person costs due to covering those that are already sick, according to an Administration report, the cost per person of the program is 2.5 times higher than expected. This shows that the cost of covering the uninsured in the new exchanges will likely be much more expensive than anticipated in 2014, when the rest of the law goes into effect."
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/03/23/obamacares-2nd-birthday-help-for-tho...
The reason health care is so politicized here...
...is because most Doctors are the 1% the occupy movement talks about. And I've rarely met a Democrat Doctor.
And their greed and their profits are at risk in a nation that would socialize its health care.
So, those same 1%, make money at the expense of those 99%.
Hell, a ride aboard our "non-profit" medevac is reputed to cost in excess of $50,000! Who the hell can afford that?!?
Health care is politicized in this nation to protect the rich doctors, the big pharmaceutical companies and everyone else who stands to get filthy rich off of everyone else.
Health care in this nation is so horribly broke. We are the wealthiest nation on earth, yet 45 million of us can't afford the most basic of health care.
MEDICARE FOR ALL! NOW!
disagree with you a little, jo
I disagree with your comment on all doctors being Republicans, and that they are the 1%. I went to a medical biology-heavy college, and most of my classmates are now M.D.'s. It was a Jesuit school with a fairly politically and religiously conservative leaning. Some of my former college friends are Republicans, but I'd venture to say more are Democrats.
In regard to doctors, I think the 1% comment is slightly off the mark, as well. True, doctors make a fair amount of money, and that's okay. They went to a heck of a lot of school, and often times, they do a good job at helping out people in need. Although the doctors I know are compassionate people, I concede that all doctors are not benevolent, and some might even be in it strictly for the money. With that in mind, they're not the ones orchestrating the exponential escalation of medical costs in this country. Hospital executives and administrators, or medical equipment executives that price-gouge on pieces of equipment like surgical cameras, etc., or pharmaceutical multinationals and their lobbying buddies/campaign contributions might be closer to the mark.
Oh, jo, blinded by the
Oh, jo, blinded by the partisan light, are you?
Docs are probably some of the squishiest progressives you'll meet. Look at the policies of the AMA and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
@sefood - sorry, to disagree, but the Jesuits are about as liberal as they come in the Catholic Church.
I don't know if you're going for drama, jo, but your thought process is sad - "Health care is politicized in this nation to protect the rich doctors, the big pharmaceutical companies and everyone else who stands to get filthy rich off of everyone else."
Do you ever reflect on how lucky you are to live in America and enjoy the freedoms you have just because of birthright?
Doctors aren't greedy
Politicians are.
What a bunch of nonsense
Of course she is a freeloader. She made a choice to run a business that could not support her and let others support her with their efforts. That is by definition a freeloader. Selfish taker of others money so she can do what SHE WANTS to do. How sad she has such little respect for others. Get a job and pay your on way. Her choices are destructive to others and she does not even care. Guess me and other responsible people will work even harder so she can take our joy for herself. You are not welcome but a thank you would have been a good way to start your piece; thank you all for supporting me.
Another View
I have just finished grad school this spring and didn't have any health insurance for the entire 7 years of my education. My parents didn't have any that I could use so my options were to purchase a budget insurance through the University. Which was great in case of an emergency situation. But, what it didn't cover was dental or vision. So, what does a poor student do when he has a bad tooth? He crosses his fingers and hopes it gets better. When that doesn't work he goes door to door to dentist offices hoping he can find a clinic that maybe offers a sliding scale payment option. When that fails he opts for the cheapest option and instead of a crown or a bridge he is left with an empty space in his mouth. The reality is that health care in this country is a luxury not a right. So life is no longer a right of the average american citizen as the poor and lower middle class can no longer afford to be sick. This trend will only widen the already gaping rift between the classes. So, Calypso save it with your free loading, irresponsible bull s*&#t because I have busted my ass to get an education to be in a profession I enjoy and have never put my hand out for assistance from this government once, and what am I rewarded with? $45,000 in the hole which I am fine with. As I know like in the past I will make ends meet and scrap by until 1/3 of my salary doesn't go towards my choice of getting an education. But, to you that was probably a poor decision and I'm another self-entitled youngster dreaming to catch my big break. Wrong I just want to be happy and have some security.
Hey -itis - save the swearing
Hey -itis - save the swearing and put downs for people your own age. You're amongst adults here and we like to have informative discussions.
I have one thing to say to you - look at the teeth of the Brits when you start singing the praises of socialized medicine. Think Austin Powers!!
Here's another bit of wisdom - life isn't all about YOU being "happy". Grow up now that you're out of the cloistered higher education system. We all make choices in life and sometimes they're not the best choices. Then we have to live with our decision - school loan or dental insurance or part time job to pay for dental insurance, etc.?
Why should we taxpayers pick up your slack so you can be happy? Yikes...
By the way, why didn't you ask mommy and daddy to pony up for your dental expenses - too embarrassed but for strangers with no name or face (like taxpayers) it's ok to come begging?
I'm steamed over your sanctimony...
Thanks Calypso
Your opinion of Jesuit universities sure is substantive. Since you were sitting alongside me at my school, please feel free to remind me what was and what was not taught in my classes, and through which political or religious lens my classes were taught (including the five required Scripture courses and additional two theology courses).
I'm always grateful for Your infinite wisdom, Calypso. Where would any of us be without your endless, brazen self righteousness?
Grow Up?
Take some of your own advice calypso. I couldn't ask for my parents money because one passed away and the other was unemployed. Like I said I paid for my dental care and went on with my life all while going to school FT and working part time. Save me the lecture on hard times and tough choices.I'm a third generation Alaskan whose family has made their way the hard way. I made the decision to be a 1st generation college graduate and I don't want my hand to be held. But if we ran things your way the upward mobility of the lower and middle class would be non existent and we would be living in a feudal system. There just has to be a balance between the radical right and the squandering left. We do all have to live with the decisions we make but should the decision to be educated be rewarded with entering your "real world" in the hole for another decade? Maybe so, I just think there is a better way.
@sefood - from your history
@sefood - from your history of posts, I know that you're quite a ways left of center. So perhaps through your lens the Jesuits were rather conservative. I'd venture to guess not so much, however. They are known for their liberalism.
Don't take my comments so personally. Defensiveness and put downs aren't becoming. Instead back up your opinion with facts and prove me wrong. Maybe we'll both learn something.
Well good, -itis, now you
Well good, -itis, now you sound a little more reasonable. I couldn't see some of the facts through all your whining.
However, only in America with the free market and capitalism at work can the middle class have any hope of moving upwards.
The feudal system will only come into play with the progressives' ideology. We'll all be serfs.
Reading The Road to Serfdom by Hayek might put things into perspective for you.
The only medical doctor...
The only medical doctor I see in the mix is Ron Paul. Not flip flopper Romney, not the attorney that refuses to move on tort reform Obama, but Dr. Paul.
If you prefer this legislation, HR347 that removes your right to free speech, or the NDAA which removes many of your constitutional rights set forth in the Bill of Rights; then by all means, vote for Obama or Romney.
I'll cast my vote for the only veteran, the only medical doctor, the only constitutionalist in the mix.
if
you live in Alaska or Hawaii you'll likely hear who won before our polls are closed
Agree with Spike
Two thumbs up for the supreme court for upholding the ACA. Your story is not unique but I am glad that you are brave enough to share it again in the face of negative feedback from the ignorant and uncaring. Please, take her advise and become familiar with the new law at healthcare.gov, not fox news. It is really well done and in the long run it will save billions for the people that pay for health care (personal and business) including Medicare which is the taxpayer program. I agree with you Jo, Medicare for all would be ideal. Our health care systems staggering costs are due to the many leeches that it carries, specifically for-profit health insurance companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and the uninsured. Read Deadly Spin if you want to be educated. Meanwhile, the ACA will move us In the right direction.
Ron Paul would make a good President
He is by far the best choice, but if we vote for him we will get the worst of the choices - Mr. O. What to do What to do
juneauitis, So you ARE able
juneauitis,
So you ARE able to find a way to pay for grad school (how much was that) but you cannot find a way to pay for a filling?
Wow,
How are you ever going to survive? Oh thats right, you expect the taxpayer to take over where mommy and daddy stopped.
Save money?
Someone above mention this will save money? For the rich maybe. The poor still can't afford health care. Will they now get penalized for not having it? How does that help the lower/middle class? Now the lower incomes will have to drum up more money.
Now we are allowing the federal government to have the right to dictate what we purchase? Even if I did agree with this bill, I would not agree with extended powers of the federal government or IRS. This sets a dangerous precident and even if you agree with this move, how long do you think it will be before the feds use the precident to do something you don't agree with? When they do, I hope I don't hear you crying that they are doing something unconstitutional because if you support this now, you yourself are opening the door.
Wren
No one who is poor will have to come up with money for health care. If you make up to 300% of the poverty level (about 90,000), the bill provides assistance for the purchase on a sliding scale. If you are below the average poverty level, you get to join Medicare for free.. It also provides incentives for businesses to provide health care for their employees. Most of the middle class has health insurance usually employer provided. Think about it, if you have a job that makes over 45,000 you usually have health care as part of the package. PLEASE BECOME INFORMED ABOUT THE TRUTH OF ACA. GO TO http://healthcare.gov
ps
Government makes us pay for lots of things already. Car insurance, lisencing everything from your car to your cat. If you use it, you should pay. My health care premium is high because hospitals and doctors pad their bills to cover the cost of caring for people without insurance. I am tired of paying for them. This year the cost of my premiums stayed the same for the first time in 23 years.
The government has done so many things that I don't agree with, I can't begin to list them. I don't go around saying it is unconstitutional because I don't like it. I just work to support representatives that I think will vote the way I would.
Yeah but, the government
Yeah but, the government hasn't made us pay just because we were born and are breathing, up until now.
And where do you suppose all the "assisstance and "incentives" come from - it's called income redistribution.
Remember government doesn't produce anything - it only takes.
Calypso
You are on my ignore list but I will address your post this one time. Everyone accesses health care. When you were born, I bet it was in a hospital. If you have breathing problems, I bet you will see a doctor. It is fair for all users to pay into the system. The incentives and assistance will be offset by lowered costs for insurance premiums and medicare expenses, which you as a consumer will also benefit from (this is why it is called the Affordable Care Act). The bill also limits health care companies to keeping only 20% of the premium dollar, which is why they hate it so much that they spread the lies that you expound. They have been reaping record profits for the past 15 years, even through the recession. I don't mind seeing their profits redistributed at all. They kicked you off the plan if you got sick and delayed approval of treatment until you died. No company should have that power. Government is there to protect the citizens, be it from invasion or pollution, or food or medicine quality, and abuse by corporations. Nothing comes for free. I am grateful for the many things that government supplies to improve the quality of our lives and I don't mind paying my fair share. Try being a little more positive and grateful. After all, you could live in Syria right now.