Ever since ACA enacted into law, Republican officials have been on mission to repeal. Using some talking points loosely based on truth AND falsehoods (remember the Obamacare chip, aka the sign of the beast?), Republican representatives and senators have made it a central part of their congressional terms and campaigns. Mississippi’s 4th Congressional Incumbent, Steven Palazzo, is still determined to make this his priority this re-election. The truth is, there is no window now for a total and complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act without causing major devastation to the livelihood and health of millions of Americans. Let me repeat that, a complete and total repeal of the ACA will cause major devastation to the livelihood and health of millions of Americans.
Is ACA perfect and free of flaws? No, it absolutely is not. Can it be amended with solutions to problems it has caused? Absolutely, if congressmen/women would stop using it as a political tool and actually work together for solutions.
Why should we care about ACA right now?
We should care because we could all be personally affected or have a friend or family member who is affected by a total and complete repeal. There are many ways it will cause harm but one of the most devastating would be losing pre-existing condition protections. I have pre-existing conditions. I have generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. I am not alone. Thirty-six percent of Mississippians have pre-existing conditions. That 36% is not just democratic voters, it is all Mississippians. Congestive heart failure doesn’t care if you are a Republican, heart disease doesn’t ask if you fully support President Trump before it causes a heart attack, and cancer doesn’t ask if you will support a border wall before it attacks the borders of your organs. I have pre-existing conditions and it is very likely that you do too.
I asked some locals if they had a pre-existing condition. Here are some of the replies:
“Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The last medication I was on was Stelara it cost $24,000 four times a year. That’s $24,000 per infusion. My insurance through work covers all but $800. $3200 a year for one medication”
“Here goes, Me - genetic neuromuscular disorder (spastic paraplegia) Mother - diabetes Husband -heart disease Son - genetic chromosome disorder/kidney disease.”
“I have Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and Binge Eating Disorder”
“Autoimmune issues - IBD, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis”
“Anxiety and Depression”
“Autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto’s and psoriatic arthritis) among other things.”
You see there is so much at stake on November 6th. If the health and wellbeing of you and those you know is important to you - I ask you take a stand and let congress know by voting out those who are hell bent on causing harm and damage to their constituents, like Rep. Palazzo. They need to hear this message loud and clear. I will be sending that message, but not for myself. I will be sending it for my deputy press secretary. She has a precondition too. It is a disease called hATTR amyloidosis. It is too difficult for her to talk about the idea of not having coverage or not having adequate coverage due to having this pre-existing condition. All she can offer to this conversation is,
“It is terrifying that I am going to face this, and the idea of suffering those symptoms and dying without medical care is beyond cruel.”
And really, that is all that needs to be said. We are all just a diagnosis away.