This year, once again, our insurance premiums have increased. We understand that this is a direct result of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Like many families across the nation, we reside in a state where our governor opted out of federal funding to properly implement the program, leading to higher costs that are passed down to us. The ACA mandates that we must purchase insurance, regardless of our ability to pay, which understandably frustrates some people. I can’t say I’m thrilled about losing another $200 a month to a health plan that remains unchanged from last year.
However, I also recognize how vital our insurance is, thanks to Obamacare. It’s essential to have health coverage, and I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.
A Pivotal Moment
When my partner and I began to get serious over a decade ago, he landed a new job. This was a pivotal moment in our lives that unknowingly defined our future roles. He asked me whether he should opt for the PPO or the HMO, and I urged him to choose the PPO.
“But I’m healthy,” he argued. “I exercise, I hardly ever get sick, and the HMO is cheaper.”
“Sure,” I replied, “but what if you do get sick? You don’t want to end up in a dire situation if something happens.”
What I truly wanted to shout was, “Don’t be reckless! This is crucial!”
He ultimately prioritized having extra cash for dates over securing comprehensive insurance.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
That summer, he proposed, and the very next day, as he played second base in a softball game, he suffered a grand mal seizure. Rushed to the hospital, doctors discovered he had inoperable, grade IV glioblastoma—one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with a grim prognosis. The average life expectancy for this diagnosis is a mere 18 months.
You can bet his HMO was not eager to cover the costs.
I spent the following year battling against $100,000 worth of medical bills for surgery, thousands each month for MRIs and chemotherapy, and tens of thousands for radiation treatments, not to mention routine doctor visits. We were incredibly fortunate—my partner had brought up a symptom to his HMO doctor that turned out to be a sign of brain cancer, but the doctor had overlooked it. This oversight allowed us to secure coverage, which was crucial since any lapse in insurance would leave him without options for future care.
This was before the ACA, before protections for pre-existing conditions. If he had survived, he would have faced a lifetime without coverage for even minor ailments.
The Impact of the ACA
On the day President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, my husband had already been living with brain cancer for three years. During that time, the economy collapsed, he lost his job, and we went into severe debt to maintain COBRA coverage. Living with cancer is complicated and costly; he required MRIs every other month at around $2,500 each and anti-seizure medications that exceeded $1,000 monthly. By the time the ACA became available, we had twins, and the emergency C-section for their premature birth was also a financial burden. We were willing to risk everything to stay alive.
My husband eventually found a job, but he had to work there for a full year before gaining insurance benefits. We relied on COBRA because if he let his coverage lapse at any point, it would be catastrophic.
When the ACA was enacted, everything changed for us. Now, it meant that my husband could have gaps in coverage without fear of losing the ability to get insured again. It also ensured that employers couldn’t deny benefits to their employees. My husband worked for that company for 14 months before being eligible for their insurance. Thanks to Obamacare, others no longer face that uncertain limbo.
Reflections on Health Insurance
I’ve seen the public debates surrounding the Affordable Care Act, and it echoes the same caution I once shared with my husband. “You could get sick, and you don’t want to find yourself in a tough spot if you do.”
Accidents happen; you could get hit by a bus or develop a chronic condition, leading to a lifetime of being classified as uninsurable.
Yes, health insurance can be expensive, but that cost is about more than just the price tag. It’s about receiving equal treatment regardless of gender. It’s about eliminating lifetime caps on essential coverage. It’s about the assurance that if you do fall ill, you won’t lose your health plan.
I remember waiting during my partner’s radiation treatments, reading that “medical bankruptcy” was the leading cause of financial instability for many families.
We were fortunate; we managed to keep our coverage and navigate through it.
Gratitude and Hope
Today, we are still incredibly lucky. My husband is alive, and since his diagnosis, he has become a father to three beautiful daughters. I often find myself worried that they may inherit his cancer predisposition. If fate deals them a bad hand, they could face pre-existing conditions their entire lives.
We are grateful to live in an era where treatment options extend beyond just surgery and chemotherapy. My husband currently uses a device called Optune, which emits electrical fields to disrupt tumor growth without adverse side effects. With our insurance, once we meet our annual deductible, we pay nothing. Without coverage, this life-saving treatment could cost us up to $35,000 monthly.
When I catch myself complaining about the additional $200 in insurance premiums, I remind myself of this reality. I could be paying much more—or risking my husband’s life. Perhaps my husband’s coworkers grumble about rising healthcare costs too, but I hope they see him and recognize that what they’re contributing helps ensure he can tuck his children in at night. They know that losing his coverage would mean losing him.
Everyone in this country knows someone whose life has been saved by Obamacare.
While the Affordable Care Act is not without its flaws, my husband is alive today because of it. My family would be in ruins without this safety net. More than 50 million Americans live with pre-existing conditions, and for us, insurance is our lifeline. It represents our security, our peace of mind, and the hope that tomorrow will come.
To the lawmakers who seek to dismantle the ACA, I say what I wished I could have expressed years ago: “Don’t be foolish! This is critical.”
This is not just about policy; it’s about life and death. It’s about determining who gets to watch their children grow up and who does not, based solely on the whims of fate. Repealing the ACA would be a death sentence for many, including incredible individuals like my husband, who simply had the misfortune of falling ill.
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Summary
This article explores the life-altering impact of the Affordable Care Act on families, particularly those facing serious health conditions. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions and how the ACA has transformed lives, providing a safety net for many who might otherwise be left without options.