Please think of Scott the next time the Republicans try to repeal the ACA. 

This year, Republicans in Congress have attempted several times to kill the Affordable Care Act, a health care bill enacted in 2010. The ACA was a huge improvement over health care coverage previously available in the U.S. It reduced the power of private insurers and bolstered the rights of individuals. I (Scott’s mom) have been spending a lot of time and energy fighting the proposed changes, which would have been disastrous for Scott as well as for all disabled people, the poor, and the elderly. I’ve been writing and calling my representatives in Washington, DC, picketing outside of my local Congressmen’s office, and pleading with friends and family to write in protest to their elected officials.

My efforts and those of thousands of people who made their voices heard have been successful in staving off legislation that would have harmed tens of millions of people.

What’s at stake? Some of the provisions included in the ACA that would have been axed:

• People cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition (like a neurological disorder)
• Insurance companies cannot put annual or lifetime caps on benefits (which would certainly affect Scott, who has had at least a $1 million work-up)
• Young people can stay on their parents’ insurance plan through age 26 (which helps us provide for Scott’s health care while he goes to college)
• Insurance companies can’t deny “essential health benefits” (which includes chronic disease management)

The Republicans also sought to significantly decrease funding for Medicaid, which is a crucial program for children with special health care needs. This includes families like ours. We have private insurance, but Medicaid’s “wrap-around” coverage addresses gaps in private insurance that does not cover specific services and supports the child might need. For example, our private health insurance doesn’t cover hearing aids, but our state Medicaid program does–at least for children 18 and under. Scott has had multiple pairs of high-powered hearing aids over the years. The cost to us would have been tens of thousands of dollars, which we would not have been able to afford.

Why did the Republicans seek to strip Americans of these benefits? You would think the health and well-being of all citizens would be a no-brainer. Not so. The truth is the Republicans sought to repeal the ACA in order to give the wealthiest people, many of them GOP donors, a tax break. Shame on them.

For a great explanation of the Affordable Care Act, see this slideshow from Healthline. To learn more about how de-funding Medicaid would harm children with disabilities, see “House ACA Repeal Bill Puts Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs at Severe Risk” from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

 Contact your representative in Congress and tell them to support the ACA!! Thanks!!