Guest Blogger, Jia Ireland, is a two time graduate from the University of Michigan-Flint and lifelong Flint resident. She is involved in the Flint community regarding water rights, civic engagement, and politics. Jia is a Millennial who votes and is a proud card carrying Progressive Liberal Democrat.
I am saying, “Obamacare” because it is the healthcare bill introduced under President Barack Obama’s administration. I am saying, “Obamacare” because that is the name often use to try and diminish the success of President Barack Obama and his administration introducing a healthcare bill that has allowed over 20 million people to access healthcare coverage. The appropriate name is the “Affordable Care Act” yet it is still often called, “Obamacare”.
Well, I will gladly take “Obamacare” over no healthcare coverage at all and over the Republican proposed repeal bill or as it has come to be known as, “Trumpcare”.
In March of 2012 my mother lost her job, and when she lost her job she also lost her healthcare benefits, thus I lost my healthcare coverage as well. Under Obamacare children can be covered under their parent’s insurance until the age of 26. That has helped many young people receive healthcare coverage. I was one of those young people in 2012, but my mother lost her job. Thankfully, with the expansion of Medicaid in the state of Michigan, my mother and I were able sign up for the Genesee County Health Plan in the summer of 2013 and then finally in March of 2014 we were both able to sign up for healthcare coverage through the Obamacare market exchange. My mother and I have had full healthcare coverage for the past three years now.
My mother was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) last year. It has caused her to lose strength, her joints lock up on her, and she also has severe arthritis. Without the healthcare coverage she has received from Obamacare, I am not sure how she would get her medication or visit her doctors. It is dire to her health and life that she can keep her healthcare coverage. I will do everything in my power to fight for Obamacare, and work together with others to help improve Obamacare. I do not want to see over 20 million people without healthcare coverage or see older Americans have to pay an age premium in order to access healthcare coverage. I do not want to see young people lose their healthcare coverage or see young people pay more for less coverage and care.
I believe that Healthcare should be a basic human right and accessible to every person. It amazes me that other first world countries have socialized healthcare and medicine, yet in the USA we do not have universal healthcare coverage for our citizens. If other countries can insure their citizens have comprehensive and affordable healthcare, then so can the United States of America.
