My mom was diagnosed with kidney failure over 25 years ago and had a transplant 10 years ago.
Three years post-transplant, she was no longer eligible for Medicare and because of her income, has since been paying for her own medical bills and costly medications. She has a suppressed immune system because of her medications, so she has a difficult time working and can't get insurance through work.
Supposedly the new Affordable Care Act is the answer to her problem. While I understand the idea behind the program, there are some serious flaws for those with pre-existing conditions. The monthly premiums in the Utah Federal Health Insurance Pool for someone my mom's age with a pre-existing condition are anywhere from $385 to $733, which doesn't even cover the additional prescription premium.
When the Affordable Care Act becomes fully enacted in 2014 she has to make a choice to either pay the high premiums or be fined. Is that really a choice? The middle class, once again, is being looked over in this new government "fix all" program.
Am I the only one who sees it?
Andrea Luikart
St. George
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When the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, your mother will also be eligible for subsidies provided her income is low enough. I think you've been misinformed on the workings of the program.
Your mother will be given aid via the ACA. Folks who cannot afford health insurance will be aided to avoid the fine. If I remember right she'll be given subsidies to be able to afford health insurance.
It's not a perfect More..
No, I see it too. The affordable care act was crippled by republicans before it came into being, and it is not a good policy for us now. We need single payer health care, which would look after people in situations like this without even considering More..