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 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 that health care reform, and fought to pass my legislation allowing young people to stay on their parents' 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 flip the Senate, they could roll back on our progress and take our country back to a place where insurance companies, once again, write all the rules.

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.

Please use the links in this email to start a monthly donation through ActBlue.

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