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John, In my 23 years as a doctor, I’ve cared for countless patients — but I’ll never forget a 19-year-old pregnant woman back in 2009 who went into pre-term labor at seven months. She couldn't get health insurance because of a serious, pre-existing heart condition and she couldn’t afford to pay for prenatal care out of pocket. This was an expectant mom, not much older than my own kids, and my ability to help her in that moment as a doctor didn’t feel like enough. If the Affordable Care Act had been in effect at that time, she couldn’t have been denied health insurance because of her pre-existing condition or she could have stayed on her parents' plan until she turned 26. It’s a reminder that what we do in Washington can truly transform lives. My patient’s story — and the stories of so many other patients who’ve faced barriers to coverage — inspired me in the most difficult moments as we worked to get the Affordable Care Act passed. I used to take the train between Pennsylvania and Washington twice a week, and some weeks I’d feel like we were never going to get there. That the path to getting this legislation passed was just too hard. But it only took going back to my patients on the labor and delivery floor the next day to remember why the work we were doing was so important. When it finally passed, the Affordable Care Act expanded access to health care to 23 million Americans. It changed lives and livelihoods for the better, despite Republicans’ best attempts to sabotage our progress — but that was just the start. It’s still too difficult and expensive to get health care. For the mom who rations her insulin because it is too expensive to the folks who get up at 4 a.m. to travel hours just to reach a doctor, we can and must do better. I’m in this race to help build a brighter future for our Commonwealth and country, including finishing the work we started with the Affordable Care Act. I know I can flip this U.S. Senate seat and get things done in Washington — as long as you’re fighting alongside me. If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: With determination, Val |
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