My daughter, Stephanie and her husband Jeremy, have courageously gone public with the dire situation they and my granddaughter, Ada, face with the repeal of the ACA. They submitted to interviews with two of the local Toledo television stations. I have written Senator Rob Portman who is a member of the Senate Budget Committee with my concerns. The letter follows.
Senator Rob Portman
420 Madison Avenue
Room 1210
Toledo, OH 43604
Sir,
I write to express my extreme concern with revisions to the Affordable Health Care Act. By now you may be familiar with my daughter, Stephanie and my grand-daughter Ada. They have been on local newscasts in Toledo with their plight. If not, I have placed links to those news reports below. Ada was found to be anencephalatic months after her birth. This resulted in her constant distress and inability to sleep, seizures , epilepsy and general inability to progress normally. She requires thousands of dollars of medication and therapy monthly.
The majority leader has said the “status quo cannot stand” . But sir, the status quo is what lets Ada live. She has the most serious of pre-existing conditions and in other times would be un-insurable. If she is subjected to lifetime limits, they will be exhausted in no time. There was much talk of “Death Panels” as the ACA was debated. This repeal and replace is equivalent to the same. One of the most callous comments I have heard concerning Ada is that there is always an institution to care for her. Not only do I believe that would kill Ada but it would certainly be soul murder for Stephanie. I enclose this photo so you know who your vote affects.
I strongly urge your vote to reject the repeal and replace actions. Thank you for your attention to them.
http://nbc24.com/news/local/local-family-fears-worst-in-battle-over-health-care
http://www.wtol.com/story/35711054/toledo-family-worried-they-will-lose-coverage-for-disabled-daughter
(end of letter)
Please watch their interviews. They state their case as only a parent could. There are thousands of children in similar situations around the country, those with cancer, hemophilia, birth defects and others who count on life saving therapies sometimes funded by insurance thanks to ObamaCare and the inclusion of those with pre-existing conditions, sometimes funded with Medicaid. All of them are in peril with TrumpCare. What happens to them if a parent loses a job and insurance? Or with the ACHA. maybe the insurance carrier just decides to drop them for a pre-existing condition to increase their profits. With Stephanie’s permission, I am putting a face on one of those children.
We have to stop this horrendous betrayal of our most vulnerable citizens. Below are the Republican members of the Budget Committee. Write them, call them, email them, especially if you live in their state. Watch Stephanie’s interviews (links in the letter to Portman). This has to stop here.
Thank you all. It’s a privilege and pleasure to be a member of this community.
Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Senator Charles Grassley (R - IA)
Senator Mike Crapo (R - ID)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R - SC)
Senator Pat Toomey (R - PA)
Senator Ron Johnson (R - WI)
Senator Bob Corker (R - TN)
Senator John Boozman (R - AR)
Senator David Perdue (R - GA)
Senator Cory Gardner (R - CO)
Senator John Kennedy (R - LA)
Senator Luther Strange (R - AL)