Well, folks, it’s that time of year again when our insurance premiums have taken another hike. And yes, you guessed it, it’s all thanks to Obamacare, or as the cool kids call it, the Affordable Care Act. Living in a state where our governor turned down federal funds to fully support this act means we’re left holding the bag. We’re stuck with a mandate that says we need to pay for insurance, regardless of whether we can afford it. I get why some folks are fuming about it. I’m not too thrilled about shelling out an extra $200 a month for an insurance plan that hasn’t even changed since last year.
Yet, I can’t ignore how crucial it is to have insurance at all. Eleven years ago, when my boyfriend and I were getting serious, he landed a new job. This was one of those moments that would shape the rest of our lives. He asked me whether he should choose the PPO or the HMO, and I insisted he go for the PPO. “But I’m healthy! I work out, I’m never sick, and the HMO is cheaper!” he argued.
“Sure, but you could get sick! You never know!” I replied, wanting to scream, “Don’t be foolish! This is serious!” He chose to save a few bucks at the expense of his future health—rookie mistake.
Fast forward to the next day after he proposed; he had a grand mal seizure while playing softball. They rushed him to the hospital, only to find out he had brain tumors—grade IV glioblastoma, to be precise. One of the deadliest kinds of cancer, it typically claims its victims in less than a year.
Let me tell you, his HMO was not keen on footing the bill. I spent countless hours battling $100,000 worth of surgical fees, thousands for MRIs and chemotherapy, and tens of thousands for radiation, not to mention routine doctor visits. We were incredibly fortunate—because I had nagged my fiancé so much, he had asked his HMO doctor about a symptom that turned out to be cancer. If that doctor hadn’t missed it, we wouldn’t have gotten coverage. And boy, if his insurance ever lapsed, he would’ve been in serious trouble.
This was all pre-Obamacare, before pre-existing conditions were a thing. That meant if he survived, he would be stuck without coverage for even minor ailments like an ear infection.
On the day President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, my husband had been battling brain cancer for three years. During that time, the economy tanked, he lost his job, and we had to go deep into debt to cover COBRA, which isn’t cheap when you have cancer. We had twins, and an emergency C-section for premature babies is no walk in the park, either. But we were ready to gamble our financial future for our lives.
Thankfully, with the ACA, everything shifted for us. It meant that he could have gaps in coverage and still get insurance again. Employers couldn’t just deny benefits willy-nilly. My husband worked at his job for 14 months before qualifying for their insurance. Thanks to Obamacare, families like ours don’t have to endure that limbo anymore.
I’ve watched the public debate over the ACA, and it takes me back to that conversation I had with my husband, repeating the mantra—“But you could get sick! You don’t want to be in a dire situation if you do!”
Sure, health care is pricey. Nothing new ever comes cheap, especially something as crucial as health mandates. But what you pay for is more than just a health plan; you’re investing in the right to have equal coverage rates, regardless of gender. You’re buying the assurance that you won’t face lifetime coverage caps and that if you get sick, you won’t lose your coverage.
I remember sitting in the waiting room during my fiancé’s radiation treatments, reading how “medical bankruptcy” was the leading cause of financial ruin. It’s like a club nobody wants to join.
We were lucky. We didn’t lose everything. My husband is still here, and he’s the proud dad of three girls. Girls I worry might inherit his cancer genes. If they do, they’ll also have pre-existing conditions all their lives.
We’re fortunate to live in a time when radiation and chemotherapy aren’t the only treatments available. Nowadays, my husband uses a device called Optune, which zaps his tumor cells with electricity. With our insurance, after meeting our deductible, it costs us nothing. Without it, that life-saving gadget could set us back $35,000 a month!
So, when I catch myself grumbling about another $200 added to our insurance bill, I remind myself that I could be paying $200 more—or $35,000 more. I know my husband’s co-workers might grumble about rising health care costs too. But then they see him with that device, and they understand that what they’re paying for is the chance for their kids to have their dad tucking them in at night.
Everyone knows someone who is alive today because of Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act has its flaws, but without it, my husband wouldn’t be here. My family would be in ruins. More than 50 million Americans live with pre-existing conditions, and for us, insurance is our safety net, our peace of mind, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
To the senators pushing to strip away the life-saving aspects of the ACA, I want to shout what I wished I could have said 11 years ago: “Don’t be foolish! This is vital.” This isn’t just policy; this is about life and death—deciding who gets to watch their children grow up based on sheer luck. Repealing the ACA could be a death sentence for amazing people like my husband, who simply had the misfortune of getting sick.
In this world of uncertainty, it’s crucial to stay informed. If you’re looking for more information about pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on infertility from the CDC. And if you’re considering your options, don’t miss our post on the home insemination kit that could make your journey easier.
Summary:
This piece reflects on the personal implications of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) for one family facing life-threatening health challenges. It highlights the importance of accessible health insurance amid rising costs, the fear of pre-existing conditions, and the profound impact of having proper coverage. The narrative underscores that health care is not merely a financial burden but a vital lifeline ensuring families can thrive despite adversity.