On Monday, March 23rd 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Six years later, I’m so thankful to be one of the 20 million people who have gained quality, affordable healthcare coverage as a result.
Growing up, my health insurance coverage was spotty at best. My father and I lived off the grid in Pahoa, Hawaii, washing our dishes with catchment water and bathing in water heated on our camp-stove. My dad did various mechanic and carpentry jobs, but was never employed at a position that gave him benefits such as health care. As a result, he never had health insurance and I only had coverage when the state deemed me young enough to receive it. When I was about 6 years old, I can recall going into a physician because I wasn’t feeling well and finding out I had three different types of parasites. This type of easily preventable health problem is something most people assume only happens in developing countries, but for America’s poor it is more common than one would expect.
In my teen years, the state of Hawaii completely took away the health insurance I received as a child. During this time, I took on a serious amount of autonomy and covered my own medical expenses so as to take pressure off my family’s financial situation. When I got sick, I would go to the urgent care unit. If doctors prescribed me medicine, I would look at the price and determine whether or not whatever illness I was coping with was worth the cost of paying out of pocket. I was more concerned about the cost of medicine than I was about recovering.
My lack of insurance also made it extremely difficult to access affordable birth control. I would sometimes visit the local free women’s health clinic, but their average wait time was typically several hours and as a high school student working multiple jobs, I usually didn’t have time. This was a challenge faced by many of the girls in my class, and it is this sort of dilemma that contributed to the high rate of teen pregnancy in my community.
After getting to college, I decided to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. I submitted my application on healthcare.gov feeling dubious about the results, but in just a few short weeks I received a letter in the mail with a health insurance card. It was the first time I had health insurance coverage in years, and my insurance card was tangible proof. I was so happy I called my dad to tell him the great news. Since getting covered under the Affordable Care Act, my birth control bill each month has been $0 and I look forward to going to the doctor.
I was so happy with my coverage that this past year, I convinced my dad signed up as well. After a few phone calls, his application had been submitted, and within a few weeks he too was insured. My father, who is in his 50s, now has health insurance for the first time in his life. As his daughter, nothing could give me a greater sense of relief and ease than to know he has access to quality, affordable healthcare.
I have seen first hand how the Affordable Care Act has changed lives for the better. My Obamacare success story is just one of millions. Today, 5.7 million young adults under 26 are able to stay on a parent’s’ health insurance plan and up to 129 million Americans can no longer be denied coverage for having a preexisting condition. My dad and I have peace of mind and are no longer forced to choose between going to the doctor and paying for other basic necessities. This November, I know I’ll be voting for a president who will protect and expand Obamacare, not one who will take our coverage away.
Phoenix is the Chair of College Democrats of Wisconsin. What do you think of the Affordable Care Act and the coverage it provides? Please send comments, questions and concerns to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
