As a mother of two young daughters, I find myself consumed with worry about their future. Like many parents, I have the usual concerns, but a new anxiety has surfaced: Will health care costs cripple their financial prospects?
Both of my daughters will step into adulthood with pre-existing conditions. My eldest has a kidney issue that currently requires no medication, while my younger daughter has a range of past diagnoses related to a congenital heart defect. Thankfully, they are healthy today — vibrant, energetic, and only experiencing typical childhood ailments. However, their previous health challenges place them in a precarious position, often referred to as the “invisible risk pool.”
Recent reports from the Center for American Progress highlight that the American Health Care Act, recently passed by House Republicans, prevents insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions but allows them to charge significantly higher premiums. They estimate that individuals with even mild pre-existing conditions could pay thousands more than standard rates for their insurance.
This grim outlook has me envisioning my daughters — both talented and kind-hearted individuals with aspirations to make a positive impact — facing exorbitant costs for health insurance, which could drastically alter their life paths. I picture them struggling to afford a home, delaying family plans, and living frugally just to keep their insurance coverage. The thought of them paying high premiums for policies that might not even cover their specific health needs is deeply troubling.
I also fear that the new healthcare laws might permit insurers to deny coverage for treatments related to their pre-existing conditions. For my older daughter, this could mean no coverage for any kidney or bladder-related issues, while my younger daughter could face exclusions affecting her cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory systems. In my most anxious moments, I imagine them in medical facilities, my older daughter being informed that a simple test won’t be covered, or my younger daughter deliberating whether to spend her limited funds on necessary medical imaging.
The report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlines the “hierarchical condition categories,” which essentially categorize conditions based on the financial risk they pose to insurers. This bureaucratic language translates to higher premiums for individuals with these conditions, which could include my daughters. While my older daughter’s specific condition isn’t listed, I found codes for my younger daughter’s conditions that could shape her financial future.
My fears are not baseless, as history has shown us. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2001, before the Affordable Care Act, examined the accessibility of individual health insurance for people with various health issues. The findings were alarming: a significant majority of applicants were denied standard rate coverage, with many facing restrictions or surcharges.
The chilling reality is that if the ACA is repealed, we may revert to this troubling state, compounded by the potential loss of employer-sponsored insurance. The prospect of navigating the open market for health insurance could become a daunting challenge for many families.
One of my biggest concerns is that my daughters may ultimately feel compelled to leave the country in search of a healthcare system that offers more equitable access. This scenario is both heartbreaking and understandable; who would want to live in a place where their medical history could dictate their financial viability? The current trajectory of healthcare in this country has led me to believe that a repeal of the ACA could discourage young people from remaining here, especially those who might feel vulnerable due to their health backgrounds.
I worry for my children, and for the future we all share.
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Summary
As a mother, I fear for my daughters’ financial futures due to potential health insurance costs stemming from their pre-existing conditions. With rising premiums and possible coverage denials, I worry they might face significant hurdles in achieving their dreams and may even feel compelled to leave the country for better healthcare options.