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Politics or Patients?

Summary: 
Opponents of reform are focused on politics, but our Administration is working to deliver the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to the American people.

Today, the Wall Street Journal editorial page takes a look at the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put the insurance industry back in control of the health care system and calls the plan a “good campaign platform.”

But for millions of Americans, the Affordable Care Act isn’t about politics or campaign platforms – it’s about getting the health care they need and being protected from the worst insurance company abuses.

It’s about people like Gail O’Brien from Keene, New Hampshire who was diagnosed with high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this year. At the time, she had no health insurance. Thankfully, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was established by the Affordable Care Act. As a result, Gail now has insurance that will pay for her treatments and is responding very well.


It’s about families like the Restemayer’s in Bismarck, North Dakota. Jennifer Restemayer’s daughter Alison has a rare genetic disorder and was close to hitting the lifetime limit on health care in her father’s policy. The Affordable Care Act will remove the lifetime limit so Alison can continue to get the care she needs.

It’s about Dawn Josephson in Jacksonville, Florida whose family finally has comprehensive coverage because insurance companies can no longer discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions.

And it’s about people like Josh Lapps of Nazareth, Pennsylvania and Gail Weschler of St. Louis, Missouri. Under the new law, Josh and Gail’s son will be able to remain on their parent’s health insurance policy until they turn 26.

Read more about all of their stories by clicking here.

Defenders of the insurance industry want to focus on politics, pledges and campaigns. We’re focused on families like the O’Brien’s, the Josephson’s and the Weschler’s and delivering the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to the American people.

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President for Special Projects