Check out what our members have to say about the decision to uphold Affordable Care Act
“I’m asthmatic, and I suffer from hypertension, and despite the fact that I am employed, I went without health insurance for 18 months,” said Valerie Peterson, a Queens homecare worker, and a member of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “I work hard to make sure that my patients receive the care they need, but my company viewed my health as a secondary concern because I couldn’t get enough hours to qualify for employer-sponsored health insurance. Today’s decision will help to protect the health of people like me, who are living with pre-existing conditions.”
“I suffer from asthma, and without health insurance, the cost of my medications is extremely high,” Colleen Berga, a 25-year-old Brooklyn resident, and the mother of a five-year-old daughter. “I work ten hour days, just to make sure my daughter has everything she needs, but if she catches a cold and needs to visit the pediatrician, the unexpected out-of-pocket costs pose a definite financial burden. Today’s decision means that my daughter and I will be able to visit the doctor, without having to choose between maintaining our health, and making sure our monthly bills are paid.”
“Last year I was struggling with cancer, and had to receive treatment on a regular basis,” said Blanca Palomeque, a member of UnitedNY and Make the Road NY. “However, unfortunately, due to my family’s income I did not qualify for public insurance, and I can’t afford private insurance. I was left uninsured with extremely high medical bills. Luckily, because of the Consumer Assistance Program set up through the Affordable Care Act, I was able to get assistance in lowering my bills and help figuring out my options. Without this assistance, myself and others in my community would not know how to navigate the complex health system or access affordable care. There also needs to be more options for people in situations similar to mine, to be able to access quality, affordable insurance. We need to move forward with health care reform, not backwards!”
And here is what our Executive Director Camille Rivera said about the decision,
“Today’s ruling is welcome for people like me, who have a pre-existing condition, and a relief to the millions of young adults who would have faced the terrible prospect of going without insurance. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 2.5 million more young adults were covered under Affordable Care than were covered before the law took effect. Many of these young adults have just graduated from college and are trying to find jobs to support themselves — and pay off college loans. At least now they won’t have to worry about health coverage.”