In Support of ObamaCare: A Wilton Resident's Tale

As I am sure you know, [Monday was] the first day of the US Supreme Court hearing to debate the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  (aka Obamacare).  I typically don't send out emails in mass without deep regard for the content.  I feel so passionately about this issue that I would like my family and friends to know the personal impact this piece of legislation has had on me. 

In sharing my personal experience, I hope you will join me to support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I promise to maintain a non-bias & non-political view of this issue, as I don't subscribe to political parties at large but rather find myself supporting and advocating for individual issues such as this. I hope, after reading this message, you will join me to support such an important Act.  

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Just two years after its signing Obamacare and all its parts of legislation will come before the Supreme Court. Today they will begin hearing 3 days worth of arguments that will determine the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

This type of three day hearing has not occurred in over 45 years.  However it is the content of the legislation that are personally more meaningful than the process and propaganda surrounding this greatly misunderstood issue.  Before I being my personal story please let me ask that you put your political views aside in order to allow my message to resonate. 

Just over five years ago I faced a serious health issue that lasted quite awhile.  At the onset of my illness I was working full time and fortunate to be covered by employer sponsored healthcare which which generously covered the significant financial burden my illness presented.  

I was able to continue working for a couple of years allowing me to receive health coverage.  After a few years and given the duration of my illness, my family and I decided that it would be best for my health if I left my full time position.  Still dealing with my ailing health and with the bills streaming in I turned to COBRA which provided coverage at a substantial cost.  At this point I was paying 100% of a hefty monthly premium plus all of the co-pays and deductibles.  Needless to say this illness took more than its toll on my health, it jeopardized our financial security.  However, I felt fortunate simply to have health coverage which allowed me to receive the best care possible.  This was truly a blessing!  I had options, I had coverage, I had a tremendous team of doctors which truly made a difference in my positive outcome. Today I have a clean bill of health and am grateful every day for that.  
 
Up to this point I was lucky and if we are lucky enough to be in good health, with a good job, and financially able we can hopefully maintain our health.  However, sometimes we are not lucky enough and illness gets in the way.  I experienced this firsthand this past year when my COBRA ran out and I was looking into my healthcare options.  
 
I first contacted the provider that I had under COBRA to see what coverage options were available to me.  That was when my first dose of reality hit as I heard the word "uninsurable". Surely this could not be the case!  Those that know me well know that I didn't stop there and believed that there must be some option out there.  I began calling each and every healthcare provider that offers insurance in the State of Connecticut only to either hear or read the words time and time again "uninsurable due to a pre-existing condition".
 
I didn't understand how this could be now that I was healthy. Could I possibly be faced with being denied for the rest of my life? Was there any amount of money that we could pay for a pre-existing condition clause? Could I start my own business and be exempt of the pre-existing condition clause with only 1 employee?  Was there any policy offered in Connecticut that would be a high deductable hospital only plan that I could get approved for?  
 
Sadly, the answer was yes I could be denied for the rest of my life due to my pre-existing condition and no to all the rest of the questions (all of which are not outlined above and believe me I became very creative!)  I was devastated and felt unjustly served.  I thought there should be a call for equitable healthcare that does not discriminate based on status, financial status, race, creed or pre-existing condition.  

I was fortunate, in October of 2011 I came across the CT Pre-existing Insurance Plan.  And the website read: Connecticut’s Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan now offers a comprehensive health benefits package at limited out-of-pocket cost to you.  Federal subsidies to lower your costs are provided through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (national health care reform).
 

 WOW  - I felt hopeful and thought this might be a solution.  I immediately contacted the CT Department of Social Services for more information and through an extensive application process I am happy to say that I was accepted into the plan.  Not only was I accepted but because of "Obamacare" I was actually able to afford the monthly premiums.  Our family celebrated that night!
 
  
Call to action:  What I am asking is that you objectively and non-politically become familiar with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act Additionally, I truly hope that you and your family keep in good health.  You should, however, become informed of the healthcare options in the State of Connecticut if for some reason you lose employer sponsored health coverage or, like me, you are personally touched by an illness.  You can find those options here http://www.ct.gov/cid/site/default.asp
 
Below is a non-bias view of what supporting the healthcare law will do.  In summary, it ends the common practice of insurance companies cutting off coverage when people fall ill and bars limits on the long term cost of providing care.  

• Ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare

• Create a new, regulated marketplace where consumers can purchase affordable health care.

• Extend much needed relief to small businesses

• Prohibit denials of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

• Limit out-of-pocket costs so that Americans have security and peace of mind.

• Help young adults by requiring insurers to allow all dependents to remain on their parents plan until age 26.

• Hold insurance companies accountable for how our health care dollars are spent.

• Invest in preventative care

 
 
I think those on both sides of this issue agree that a change in our current healthcare system is greatly needed.  This is why following the next 3 days is critical. This Healthcare Act may not be the perfect solution in its current form but it has given me hope, health and a chance to live and tell me story.
I for one have stood up and said "Yes, I like Obamacare!"  If, after reading this, you agree please go to http://www.barackobama.com/i-like-obamacare  

Thank you for supporting such an important issue! 

All the best,

Oriana Laflamme, Wilton Resident