Hi, can I share something with you?

When I was young, I was diagnosed with a serious illness that resulted in three months in the hospital. When I recovered, my grandparents, who raised me, searched for an insurance policy that would cover me in the future. They wanted to make sure I was protected in case I got sick again.

Unfortunately, they couldn't find a policy that would cover me because of my previous illness. Not from any insurer. Not at any price. All because I had a "pre-existing condition."

My grandparents had to pay for my health care out of pocket, and they had to make significant sacrifices to do so. I saw my grandparents worry about me and worry about how they would pay for my care. I got into public service because I believed no one should have to go through this.

My story isn't a unique one — it's an experience shared by 133 million Americans living with pre-existing conditions. Before the Affordable Care Act was passed, people with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage.

Today, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against someone based on their pre-existing condition. I championed health care reform and to allow young people to stay on their parent's insurance plan until they turn 26. These changes have helped millions of Americans get the health insurance they need.

But now, Republicans are attacking our health care and threatening the protections for people with pre-existing conditions. If Mitch McConnell and Republicans take back the Senate, they could take away the progress we've made and put insurance companies back in charge.

I fought against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act before, and I will continue to defend it. But I can't do it alone. I need your help to keep up this fight in the U.S. Senate.

Will you make a donation to my reelection campaign so I can keep up this critical work? I need your help to defend our Senate majority and prevent Republicans from rolling back the progress we've made expanding access to affordable health care.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

I will never forget where I came from or why I got into public service. My experience has always inspired me to fight for quality, affordable health care coverage for every American and to stand up against those who want to take it away.

Thank you for standing with me.

— Tammy