May 22, 2012
01:45 PM EDT
Ed. note: This is cross-posted from HealthCare.gov
Judy Lamb from Colorado is an inspiration. Despite fighting breast cancer that has spread to her bones and liver and undergoing weekly chemotherapy, she has a positive outlook on life.
?I have three children, I?m married, and I cook dinner every night. It?s not really exciting, but it?s a wonderful life. I?m so glad I?m here, because without my treatments I wouldn?t be here,? she says.
She is able to maintain her positive attitude partly because the Affordable Care Act has removed a tremendous burden: the fear that her health plan would stop paying for her treatments.
?Without the Affordable Care Act, I would be so worried about lifetime limits and pre-existing conditions that I wouldn?t be able to sleep,? she says. ?It?s bad enough that you have cancer, but then you have to worry about the insurance companies cutting you off. I would die if I didn?t have insurance.?
In the past, Judy?s insurance company had a lifetime limit of $2 million dollars. With her care costing anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000 a year, Judy had felt like the clock was ticking on her treatments. She knew that if she hit the lifetime limit, not only would she struggle to continue to pay for her treatments, but she might have trouble finding other health care coverage because of her pre-existing condition.
But the health care law ended lifetime dollar caps on coverage, which means she can focus on staying well and living her life. And starting in 2014, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against people who have pre-existing conditions, meaning that people like Judy would have more options for coverage.
"You can live your life and have cancer and you can live your life without worry because of the Affordable Care Act,? Judy says.
If you have a story like Judy?s, share it at HealthCare.gov/MyCare.
Dori Salcido is HHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
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