‘It saved 2 of my friends lives’

If there were ever a tribute to Americans’ embrace of ObamaCare, it would be the responses to a Facebook post by the Republican Party in the red state of Indiana. One day before Independence Day, the Indiana GOP asked its Facebook followers, “Did you lose a doctor that you liked? Have your premiums increased? Did your insurer leave the exchange? Are burdensome regulations hurting your small business?”

“We were promised Obamacare would make healthcare cheaper, better, and more available, but in reality it’s turned out to be the opposite,” the post continues. “What’s your Obamacare horror story? Let us know.”

Two days later, the post has been shared nearly 6000 times. There are more than 8200 comments. NCRM spent several hours reading a great many of them. Very, very few comments were in opposition to the Affordable Care Act. The vast, vast majority, almost all, were not only wildly supportive of ObamaCare, but many comments said the ACA saved their life, or the lives of their friends or family members. A few lamented that ObamaCare did not go far enough, saying they wanted a single-payer system.

But most were overwhelmingly thrilled with ObamaCare.

“My fiancee contracted undetected viral pneumonia that led to a collapsed lung and emergency surgery,” one Facebook poster wrote. “She was in recovery for over a week before discharge. Without Obamacare, she would have died. Instead, we are getting married later this month. Thanks, Obama!”

“My wife had a stroke in childbirth,” one man wrote. “On the day our daughter was born I was told my wife would die. She didn’t, but as her medical bills approached her $2 million lifetime cap and it looked like I’d end up selling my house to cover medical bills, ObamaCare kicked in. She’s alive today, we still own our home, and we thank President Barack Obama and the Democrats and Republicans who voted for that bill for my wife’s life. Oh right… Republicans didn’t vote for the bill. What was your question again?” 

A few more:

“I was able to quit a dead end job that I hated to start my own business because I was now safe to leave my employer’s health plan. Now I am a ‘job creator’. Thanks Obamacare!”

“It saved 2 of my friends lives…”

“I got to keep my doctor, and I got better coverage for about half the cost.”

“I would have died from undiagnosed diabetes type 2 without ACA. I am forever grateful to President Obama for this.”

Not all the posts were straightforward. Some decided to take the opportunity to share their stories while mocking the GOP.

“Oh my gosh … my story is so awful,” wrote a woman Tuesday morning. “Obamacare … where do I start?? We lost our employer provided health insurance when my husband was laid off after 20 years in a steel mill. He couldn’t find work with benefits for a long time. We were uninsured and scared. You see I have systolic heart failure at 42 years old and we have 4 children. My job doesn’t have insurance benefits. He tried for a year to find something before going back to school to get his degree so he could find a job that offers health insurance. Obamacare … that devil … offered us healthcare we can afford until he graduates and is able to get back to work next May. We literally only needed it for about a year and it has saved us. Oh the horror. I can now afford my 4 heart medications for that year. My kids can all get care for the year. And my husband can sleep at night again. I know this has been so hard to read. Thank you for taking the time to read my horror story.”

Some took a downright political approach.

“The only reason Republicans hate ACA, is because the black guy passed it. That’s the horror story to you.”

“The GOP is trying to kill off the elderly, sick, and weak.. and they’re the ones always yammering on about God. Right. All so ultra rich can have a tax break that will have no impact on their lives.”

Several medical professionals also weighed in.

“As a Family Medicine physician I have seen teen pregnancy rates plummet due to easily obtainable long term contraception options. Lower pregnancy rates means lower abortion rates and less kids having kids. The kind of thing you may want to support,” wrote one doctor.

“I’m a physician who’s seen patients return for care now that they again can with the ACA,” wrote another. “I’ve seen a fairly early colon cancer and breast cancer found, diabetes now under control, a much needed surgery postponed for years now possible. People have to change doctors quite often when employers who provide health insurance switch plans over the years. ACA has not increased that. And several of my patients have been able to quit jobs that weren’t a fit and start a business, or move to help a son and daughter-in-law as they started a church, but the available job has no insurance but with ACA – yes she could. I could write for hours. Let’s tune it up not diminish it:). Let’s all pitch in, work together and help health coverage improve. Healthy people can work, they can be a positive part of communities, they can pursue life and happiness as those of us who have access to adequate insurance already. I’m a Republican and I know we care:)”

As did small business owners.

“As a small business owner, I chose to insure my full time employees for years through Anthem. Thanks to ACA, the premiums for my staff went DOWN, not up the usual 33% each year, making coverage more affordable for this employer! #thanksobama“

“I’m a small business owner in Seattle,” said a woman. “Before Obama care, I was under 40 and paying $425 in monthly premiums. Since Obama care, I am now 43 and I pay $325 per month for premiums. A doctor that I visit multiple times per month used to cost me $60 per visit after my health insurance kicked in, after I paid the $1000 deductible. I now pay $15 per visit and I have yet to pay a cent toward my $1500 deductible. Just got news my carrier of the past 3 years is leaving the market due to uncertainty with the upcoming changes proposed by the Senate.“

Yeah, that did not go as planned.

On Tuesday NCRM also posted a comment, telling the Indiana GOP we had taken dozens of screenshots and warned them to not delete any posts. 

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