Tag: American health care

Why the Sickest Workers May Be Among the First Back on the Job

New York Times logoSince most people in the U.S. get health insurance through work, many with pre-existing conditions fear unemployment more than they fear coronavirus.

Last month, Patti Hanks faced a wrenching decision: go back to her job, or lose her health insurance.

Ms. Hanks, 62, recently had ovarian cancer treatment. With her immunity low, she was nervous about returning to her workplace, a store where she would be drawing up financing plans and taking cash payments from customers buying furniture and large appliances.

But she was even more worried about losing her health coverage if she didn’t go back. Finding a job with health benefits that allowed her to work from home felt like a pipe dream in the midst of an economic downturn. Continue reading.

DNC on 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the 10th anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law:

“The world is in crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic is a sobering reminder of just how important health care is American families. Democrats understand that, which is why 10 years ago today, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. This landmark legislation represented the largest overhaul of our health care system in half a century and improved the lives of millions of Americans.

“Thanks to this law, more than 20 million Americans have gained coverage; the uninsured rate in the United States dropped to a record low; insurers cannot deny or drop coverage for people with preexisting conditions; young people can stay on their parents’ plans until they’re 26 years old; states have been able to expand Medicaid, offering care to millions more Americans; more than 55 million women have gained access to birth control with no co-pay; and insurers can no longer impose cruel annual and lifetime limits on the care you can receive. Continue reading “DNC on 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act”

My Friend’s Cancer Taught Me About a Hole in Our Health System

Caregivers aren’t supported, and America overlooks their importance.

Last year, one of my best friends learned he had cancer.

In many respects he was lucky. He had great insurance. He had enough money. Partly because one of his friends (me) is well connected in the health care system, he got excellent care.

So this is not a story about how the system failed, or how people need insurance or access. He had those. He got the care. This is the United States health care system at its peak performance.

View the complete March 25 article by Aaron E. Carroll on The New York Times website here.