We need more positive Obama news on the homepage

[JustAnotherGen]

36. First

My father survived his stroke in 1998. Massive - he lost the ability to swallow. Fortunately he had it in Rochester NY where even the RGH was light years ahead in terms of stroke recovery. He walked out of the hospital 8 weeks later, and lived another 13 active years. But those were the times of commercial health insurance.

My parents were both high earners and had a solid retirement plan. But because they were high earners - they also had a huge savings account. And in spite of insurance - they had to pay close to 500K out of pocket for him to walk out alive.

Those were the days.

Fast forward to 2011 when dad is diagnosed with lung cancer due to his exposure to agents blue, white, and orange. Now he has Medicare and VA Hospital access. Out of pocket? Nothing disastrous.

He cheered when ACA passed - and I do too. It's a good start. It's not perfect, but we have to keep fighting. As my mom would say - what happens to people without our resources? Now - there's a little relief for them. There's a little guarantee that their coverage won't run out and a previous heart attack doesn't impact their stroke coverage.

And anyone who doesn't see that has never gone through what you did. They have no idea what the true cost of not having the ACA in place.