The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Today, the President will be speaking in Nashville, Tennessee to talk about the ways health care reform is continuing to help millions of Americans. On his way over, he picked up Kelly Bryant to thank her for the letter she wrote him about the Affordable Care Act and to hear directly from her about how it changed her life.
Every day, the White House receives thousands of letters and emails from across the country. Our job in the Office of Presidential Correspondence is to sort and read each message and make sure that President Obama hears directly from Americans about what matters to them.
Today, the President is speaking in Nashville, Tennessee to talk about the ways health care reform is continuing to help millions of Americans. On his way over, he picked up Kelly Bryant to thank her for the letter she wrote him about the Affordable Care Act and to hear directly from her about how it changed her life.
In 2011, Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer and would later rely on insurance coverage made possible by the Affordable Care Act. She wrote in her letter, “Because of healthcare reform, I am not scared of losing everything. I can start thinking about my new life and how the path is paved with opportunities instead of despair.”
Together, Kelly and President Obama are at a local elementary school, where they've been joined by Natoma Canfield. They’re having a conversation with others from the Nashville area who have written to the President about the Affordable Care Act, as well as doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers and leaders, and volunteers to talk about the ways this law is making a difference in Nashville and across our country.
Kelly has long supported health care reform, because she knew many Americans lacked quality, affordable health coverage. And today, she will have the chance to discuss the impact of this law with her neighbors and the President.
Read her letter here:
Dear President Obama,
I am compelled to write to you today to say thank you. I will touch lightly on my story since it is one of many you have heard throughout your term. I am a 38 year old women who lives in Nashville Tn. After being a Republican for more years than I dare admit, I worked on the 2008 campaign and have been a proud supporter of my senator, Jim Cooper. I had no idea how much the work we did would impact my life personally.
In 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, I was working a job on Music Row and the wonderful people at SESAC allowed me to stay on part time and keep my health insurance. I made a complete recovery and resumed work in 2012. This past year, I decided to make a career shift. Which meant taking the chance and leaving one job without another lined up. Before moving on, I chose to get all of my check ups before my employer health benefits ran out. This time, during a routine mammogram, cancer was found again. I had already resigned my job and it was too late to turn back. Besides with all the treatment on the table, it was impossible to work.
That is where healthcare reform came to play for me. I knew it was important for my fellow citizens but had no idea how much it would mean to me and my family. I was able to find high quality, affordable insurance when I needed it the most. Every month when I pay my premium, I am not angry or stressed. I am thankful that it is there for me and continues to be.
I am still in treatment and will be for a few months. Because of healthcare reform, I am not scared of losing everything. I can start thinking about my new life and how the path is paved with opportunities instead of despair.
I think about your mom often and what she went through. I wish she could see what you have done for the American people, she would be proud. She is proud.
I know you are preparing your state of the Union address as we speak, I know you have the hardest job on the world but you are doing the right thing because it is the right thing. As a country, we can't ask for more than that from one man.
Thank you President Obama, I have a dream of making it back out to DC when there aren't 2 million people there. I can't wait to tour the museums, see the White House and walk amongst the history.
I know this email is one of millions but I hope you can feel my love, gratitude and pride. Keep going Mr. President, you've got this!!
May God Bless you and keep you.
The voices of people across America inform the President and give him invaluable perspective on the progress we’ve made — as well as the work we’ve got left to do. If you want to write the President yourself, you can do that here.
