During a Tuesday night speech delivered on the Senate floor, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken found himself arguing—yet again—against the newest attempt by Republicans to gut the Affordable Care Act. He brought up a few stories that would not have happened without the federal help provided by the ACA. Specifically, he told the story of Leanna and her 3-year-old son Henry.
Leanna's 3-year-old son Henry has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. His treatment will last until at least April of 2018. He often needs around-the-clock care to manage his nausea, vomiting, pain, and sleepless nights.
A 3-year-old.
Little Henry's immune system is so compromised that he's not supposed to go to day care, so Leanna left her job to take care of him.
They're supported by her spouse. But they couldn't pay for his treatment on one salary. Leanna says, and I quote, "It is because of the ACA that Henry gets proper health care. Henry can get therapy and the things he needs to maintain his health and work towards beating cancer. Henry is still with us because of the ACA." End quote.
Let me say that again: "Henry is still with us because of the ACA."
Sen. Franken has told the story of Leanna and Henry before, and there are many more stories just like it. Some of them involve young children and mothers, some involve fathers, others involve grandparents, wives, husbands, loved ones. Every story is one person—but it’s also their family, their community, their town, their city, their nation’s small moment of grace against great odds. There is no moral equivalence for how craven the Republican Party’s attacks on affordable healthcare coverage are. None.
Watch Franken tell Leanna and Henry’s story below.
Here’s his full speech.