ACA (Obamacare) and the first efforts of our new senators

In January I started sharing a lot of articles and information about my political beliefs on Facebook. In the few weeks since I have realized that it may not be the best place to make these statements, so I am moving some of my FB posts to this Blog to continue the work. Some may be a bit outdated but I want to keep track of where I am going here and where I would like to end up.

Here is my first political post of 2017 (Jan. 4):

I have family members and students that have benefited from the ACA, I'm really worried about what is going to happen if it's fully repealed and there's no back up plan. Are they going to leave those in need floundering for health care?!?!

A close family member was paying $700 a month or more before ACA and even though the premiums are going up the monthly payment is significantly less than before, it's perfect for a fixed budget. If ACA goes away insurance won't be affordable again 

The first act of some senators - even before they were confirmed - was to attack the ACA. Here is the article that was posted with the above statement:

Replacing Obamacare with be difficult, Repealing it could be just as hard

I agree that the Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it has set us on the right path. Making changes and updates to the system could make it better.

What I think has gone right:

a. Allowing 26 year olds to still be a part of their parents' insurance plans (this would have been great for me after college, sometimes you just need a few years to get fully on your feet).

b. Requiring health insurers to take on people with existing conditions (I have known family and friends with existing conditions who have, in the past, frequently had trouble getting affordable health insurance (or even insurance at all)).

c. Creating a competitive market for people to find insurance that can match their needs (My husband and I took advantage of this for several months during a major life change).

d. Encouraging, ok, pretty much requiring, people to have insurance (there are plenty of twenty-somethings that just do not opt in and when they are sick and cannot pay, taxpayers do anyway).

This list can go on and on, but these 4 immediately come to my mind as to why it has been effective.

A second FB post from January 12:

Approximately 1 in 18 people in the US is currently benefiting from Obamacare (ACA). No matter if you are for or against the Senate shutting it down I highly recommend finding someone benefiting from it right now and asking them about pros and cons.

Here's the article too:

The senate just took it's first step toward repealing Obamacare

Currently I know several people taking advantage of ACA, please share your stories as to why it's helpful to you or your family.

There are several people that I know whom are against it too, please share your stories here too.

Thanks for reading!

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