7 Real Women Share Their Fears About the Future of Health Care in the United States

Sep 27, 2017

Since Trump’s inauguration, Congress has made several attempts to reverse the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Most recently, the Graham-Cassidy Bill— Congress’ latest “repeal and replace” attempt — threatened to put health care legislation in the hands of the states, slashing federally funded programs like Medicaid, which currently supports almost 70 million Americans. If this bill had passed, some states would no longer have been under ACA provisions, which include maternity and infant care, prescriptions, and pre-existing conditions. According to Vox, this would have resulted in “hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending cuts for health care and tens of millions fewer Americans with health insurance, compared to Obamacare.”

Though the bill was killed in Senate this week, millions of Americans worry about losing the coverage they need. At this point, it seems like it’s just a matter of when: President Trump and the GOP remain committed to overturning Obamacare, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Republicans will likely return to Obamacare repeal efforts after they tackle tax reform, according to ABCNews.

For now, women insured by the ACA wait in limbo for the potential of drastic impact on not only their health care, but their lives. We talked to seven women about how repealing Obamacare would affect them personally. Here’s what they had to say.

Stephanie, 32, Salem, OR

Stephanie, who has advanced Lyme Disease and, by extension, several other medical issues like epilepsy, heart damage, neurological problems, arthritis, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue, could face loss of coverage without Obamacare. Her son is on the autism spectrum and requires a number of mental health services and medication, and would also be at risk for losing insurance coverage essential to her ability to function in mainstream society.

For several years, Stephanie and her son were covered by the ACA, which guaranteed access to insurance despite their conditions. High-deductible insurance through her husband’s job cost $500 monthly, but it still didn’t allow Stephanie and her son the care they needed. “We could plug the holes in the boat but never work to improve our health,” Stephanie told Brit + Co.

Obamacare was nearly three times more expensive, but it offered Stephanie and her family predictable, affordable copays with no deductible. If the Graham-Cassidy Bill passed, Stephanie’s family would likely have had to sell their home to afford the care they need.

“The main issue for us right up front if this bill passes is that we won’t be able to simply buy our own insurance anymore. Pre-ACA, I was repeatedly denied insurance for my pre-existing condition. So in the best-case scenario, this bill means we have no choice but that horrid employment plan, and we lose all our progress,” Stephanie said.

If push came to shove, Stephanie and her family could move to Canada, where her husband is from — but relocating with a child on the autism spectrum presents risks of its own. “We’d have to abandon the life we’ve worked so hard to scrape together and essentially become medical refugees to Canada and start over,” Stephanie said. “We really have no choice. These bills would collapse our entire lives if they passed.”

Retha, 41, Birmingham, AL

“As a self-employed parent of three boys, the ACA repeal affects me in so many ways,” Retha said. Two of Retha’s sons recently underwent surgery, which works against her in two ways: Her sons now have pre-existing conditions, putting them at risk for loss of coverage, and because she is on a payment plan for the surgery, her payments continue to rise as the cost of insurance increases.

Retha considered switching to a higher-deductible plan to guarantee coverage, but in addition to pre-existing conditions clauses, many physicians would not be covered on those plans. She says add-ons like vision and dental insurance are also issues for mothers like her.

“I am constantly worried about how much longer I will be able to afford health insurance,” she said. “If my boys get sick this year, have any accidents, and need hospital care we will not be able to afford it. That scares me.”

Briana, 26, Charlotte, NC

Briana is healthy, and under the ACA, has access to preventative care she can afford. But she’s worried the insurance she pays for every month won’t be enough for much longer.

“I want to know that I have access to affordable healthcare. I debate every month whether or not I should continue paying for it now, so I can only imagine if this repeal is passed how I will feel and if I would be able to afford it in the future,” she said. “I want to continue to be able to afford to take preventative measures in making sure I am healthy. Should I be diagnosed with anything, I want to feel secure in knowing that whether or not I can afford health care won’t be a matter of life or death.”

Briana plans on having children in the future, but she second guesses starting a family when she considers the projected costs should an ACA repeal go through. “Looking at this repeal, starting a family without going into severe debt will be nearly impossible, not only for me, but millions of women and families across the United States,” she said. “The bottom line is, healthcare reform should improve over time. It should not get more expensive for the majority while also leaving millions uninsured.”

Missy, 36, Wilmington, NC

Missy is her husband’s primary caretaker. Along with Type 1 Diabetes, Missy’s husband has kidney disease and regularly undergoes dialysis. After losing vision in one eye in 2015 and then receiving a kidney transplant, he was forced to go on disability. The problem is, his disability check hardly covers his medical costs.

“We feel stuck,” Missy said. “If this bill passes and insurers can reinstate the pre-existing condition clause, there is no way we can afford for him to go on private or a group insurance.”

Missy said that without Medicare, his secondary insurance, and Medicare’s Part D prescription plan, her husband’s medicines would cost over $8,000 month out of pocket. On top of her husband’s health concerns, the couple also has the added worry of Missy’s heath — she has PCOS, which puts her at a greater risk for serious health issues.

“If I get cancer or become diabetic, the costs would bankrupt us completely,” she said.

Katie, 33, San Rafael, CA

“Basically, I am one giant pre-existing condition,” said Katie, who suffers from depression and complications from a congenital birth defect that recently required two colon surgeries. When she left her full-time job as a librarian to work as a freelancer, she felt confident she’d have access to affordable healthcare through the ACA.

Currently, she’s covered by healthcare purchases through the Covered California exchange. If Congress repealed Obamacare, she could face the loss of coverage for mental health and gastroenterology care, both of which are essential to her health.

“This has been a hugely stressful period of uncertainty,” she said.

Brianna, 26, West New York, NJ

When Brianna was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at age 15, she didn’t have to worry about insurance — until her dad lost his job, and she lost her coverage. Once her dad found another job, Brianna had a pre-existing condition and was denied coverage under his insurance. Thankfully, Obamacare allowed her to access the care she needed.

Now, over 10 years after her first diagnosis, she’s undergoing treatment for aggressive thyroid cancer. Because she’s 26, she now purchases her own health care through Healthcare.gov.

“What scares me most of all is the extra costs of having cancer,” she said. “One of Bernie Sanders’ photos on Instagram said that the extra costs of metastatic cancer if Obamacare gets repealed is $142,000. I get nauseous just thinking about it.”

Ashley, 30, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

“When my son Jackson was born critically ill, it was a huge shock,” said Ashley, a single mom who left a lucrative career and corresponding insurance plan to care for her sick son and is now covered under the ACA. Because her now four-year-old has an adrenal disease, craniosynostosis (deformity of the skull), and autism spectrum disorder, he’s followed regularly by two dozen physicians, has had countless MRIs, CAT scans, blood draws, doctor’s appointments, ER visits, hospital stays, two (with additional likely) major surgeries to remodel his skull, and hundreds of hours of in-home and clinical therapy services.

Jackson’s medical costs started to rack up from the first days of his life when he was in NICU and haven’t stopped since. He’s been covered by various Medicaid groups, but when Ashley received the autism diagnosis at 15 months, he officially became eligible for a Florida Medicaid program called CMS, for disabled children. He qualifies for this until he’s 21, regardless of Ashley’s income, but only under Obamacare.

Under the Graham-Cassidy bill, Jackson would have met his lifetime cap before he turned one, and probably wouldn’t even be here, Ashley said. “Under GC, I would have been financially destroyed (on top of the financial struggles I face as a single mom already) a long time ago. Under GC, Florida stands to have $17B+ stripped from Medicaid funding, which would decimate the program that covers my disabled child.”

A repeal of the ACA would leave Ashley and her son without coverage, which could be destructive for her family.

“Emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually, the burden I’m under at the prospect of losing his healthcare is crushing; I can’t even imagine what would happen if it actually came to pass. All I can do is pray it doesn’t, and keep writing, calling, faxing, emailing every day,” she said.

Would repealing the ACA affect you or your family? Let us know at @BritandCo.

7 Best Flat Irons For The Most Perfect, Straight Hair

We've all had those moments where our hair is simply... untamable. It seems like nothing you do, or no product you try can help it. That's me almost every morning when I wake up. My split ends are more noticeable, the breakage is showing, and I have kinks in my hair that last for days. So sometimes, the only solution is to simply use hot tools.

I try to minimize my hot tool use to strictly days like this where I know nothing else will work — and that's where flat irons will save the day. Sometimes, a flat iron is the only product that makes my hair look shiny, nice, and let's be honest: presentable. I've tried quite a few, and these are the best, most popular options that give your hair life. And some even do a better job than my Dyson Airwrap can on most days, so let's get into it!

Heat Protectant

Amazon

Chi 44 Iron Guard Heat Protectant

Before we get into the actual flat irons of it all, I want to make sure we all add this heat protectant to cart and click check out, because heat protectant is so important when using hot tools! This heat protectant is one I've been using for years, because of how well it works. It protects even the hottest of tools from your hair, and gets bonus points for being insanely affordable. Like $4 affordable... So definitely grab this one immediately and make sure to use every time you put heat on your hair.

All my thin hair girlies, listen up: I've got the product for you! This straightener is ideal for those with super thin hair, because of its slim size and shape. It makes it super easy to finish your hair in a rush without a lot of wrist pain, given how light it is. Sounds like a dream to me!

Amazon

Vanessa Pro Flat Iron

This straightener is amazing for getting straight, sleek hair — but also curls! It's made out of titanium which makes for a really smooth surface that can give you the best curls, because it doesn't tug too harshly on your hair or cause any weird kinks in your hair like a lot of straighteners do. Love that for a versatile styling moment!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more picks!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

Love Playing Solitaire? These 10 Free Online Games Are Just As Addictive

Tired of looking for new book club picks or binge watching Nobody Wants This again? Maybe it's time for you to find free online card games to play. We're not 100% convinced you want to stop revisiting Kristen Bell and Adam Brody's hot onscreen romance, but we'll believe you for now. Even if you still plan to curl up with a nice glass of wine to dissect what makes this new rom-com a must-watch with your best gal pals, theres no harm in sneaking away to play one of these 10 free online games!

Can't get enough of Solitaire, but need something different? Fall in love with this version that's sure to make you addicted. Your speed and ability to match cards will be tested like never before.

Visit our exciting new Game Center for even more free games to play!

pop culture games game night entertainment

Amazon

If you haven't switched to sleeping in period underwear, we highly recommend these Washable Period Underwear. They are not only practical, but they are also comfortable too. Brilliant for navigating your light or heavy menstrual cycles, featuring a leak-proof and absorbent design that offers extra protection and peace of mind.

See it on Amazon

nsfw

Amazon’s Early Prime Day Deals Are On Fire – 44 To Shop Now Before They’re Gone

Amazon’s famedBig Deal Days returns on October 8-9, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your shop on! There are tons ofearly Prime Day deals to scoop up right now, from beauty and fashion to home goods and appliances that’ll literally save you hundreds. This Prime member-exclusive savings event also comes at the perfect time ahead of the holiday season, so you have the chance to check everyone off your gifting list with plenty of time to spare before December’s here.

Jump to our favorite early deals:

Apple AirPods Max27% off
Shark FlexStyle 22% off
Oura Ring Gen 3 14% off
Crest 3D Whitestrips 55% off
Philips 3200 Series Automatic Espresso Machine 29% off
Blueair Large Room Air Purifier 46% off
Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum 11% off
Olay Super Serum 14% off

$34, was $36

$15, was $20 with option to use 10% off coupon

This "comfortable and stretchy" long sleeve top comes in so many colors to suit only your best layered outfits for fall and winter. It's made of a soft 92% rayon and 8% elastane material which is doubled over to give your look more coverage. The square neckline is ultimately super flattering for any body type, and the slightly-cropped length pairs just as well with high-rise pants as it does low-rise styles!

$40, was $66

Athlefit Chelsea Boots

$43, was $66

$85, was $120

$100, was $124

$70, was $120

This powerful portable bluetooth speaker can travel with you practically anywhere, from friends' places to the park. With 15+ hours of playtime on a single charge, you'll never lose your groove. It also comes complete with a built-in microphone so you can answer calls and command Siri to play your favorite tunes!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on this year's best Prime Day deals!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

amazon prime day deals sales prime big day deals shopping

The 18 Best Starbucks Hot Drinks To Order, According To Ex-Baristas

I spent many way-too-early mornings standing behind the coffee bar at Starbucks. Barista-ing, though stressful at times, was honestly so satisfying. I felt good when I poured the perfect drink for my customers, but I felt even better when I found the best beverages to make for myself.

Having unlimited hot drinks at my disposal during my shifts was definitely one of the best perks about being a Starbucks barista. I worked the opening shift there quite frequently through the dreadfully bleak winter season (I’m talking sub-10 degrees every morning), so warming up – caffeine included – was crucial.

This flat white, suggested by another barista, gets its charm from some cinnamon steamed into the milk. Yes, you can in fact order your milk that way at Starbucks, and it's heavenly.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for more takes on what's hot in the food world!

This post has been updated.

coffee starbucks starbucks news starbucks menu barista food