“NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans are speaking out both for and against Wednesday’s U.S. House vote to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Five years ago, Nicole Cochran was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and she’s never been able to get the health insurance she needs.
Cochran told Nashville’s News 2, “I was told that in this country, you can’t really be self-employed, single and chronically ill.”
After losing her house, and facing medical bankruptcy, President Barack Obama’s health care reform brought Cochran hope, and this week’s vote to repeal it frightens her.
“I was scared what hope I have for the first time in five years was going to be taken away,” said Cochran.
Members of Tennessee Citizen Action, a consumer rights organization, are also voicing concern.
Mary Mancini, Executive Director of TCA, told Nashville’s News 2 the organization feels like repealing the law is a waste of time, when congress could be discussing other issues like unemployment and credit card debit.
“Now’s not the time to be focusing on the repeal of that bill. Our elected officials in both the congress and state should really be focusing on what’s important to Tennesseans,” said Manacini.
The health care reform legislation expands coverage to 32 million Americans who are uninsured, and starting in 2014, insurance companies would no longer be able to deny people like Cochran with pre-existing conditions.
“I work hard, and have worked hard my whole life, and I just needed some help, and this bill represented that for me, and this repeal represents taking that help away,” said Cochran.
The repeal is expected to pass the Republican-led House, but not the Democratic-controlled Senate or a presidential veto.
Republicans are concerned about the cost of health care reform– $940 billion over the next 10 years.
Republicans acknowledge it is unlikely an outright repeal will happen, but the GOP hopes to take out portions and eliminate specific provisions.
Radio talk show host Steve Gill told Nashville’s News 2 it would be best to start the health care reform debate over.
“This plan actually includes 1099 requirements for small businesses that are going to be hurtful. It requires a lot of other federal regulations that are going to be very cost intrusive on business. Let’s start all over and do it the right way the second time,” said Gill.
The health care repeal vote had initially been scheduled for last week, but it was postponed due to the Arizona shootings.”
Source & Video Credit to http://www.wkrn.com/Global/story.asp?S=13858320
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