This issue is deeply personal for me. I was only nine years old when I was diagnosed with a serious illness and spent three months in the hospital. When I got better, my grandparents who raised me looked for an insurance policy that would cover me in the future. Unfortunately, due to my previous illness, they couldn’t find one. Not from any insurer. Not at any price. They had to pay for my health care out of pocket — and they had to make enormous sacrifices to do so — all because I was a child who had been labeled with those words: “pre-existing condition.” Like 133 million Americans, I know what it's like to have the label "pre-existing condition" attached to my care — and before the Affordable Care Act was passed, many of us could be denied coverage. So, you can imagine my frustration when Wisconsin Republicans play political football with people’s lives and refuse to expand affordable health care through the ACA’s Medicaid expansion program. I got into public service because I saw my grandparents stay up nights, worried sick that I would fall ill again and they wouldn't be able to afford my care. No one should ever have to go through that. That’s why I have fought back against right-wing efforts to repeal the ACA and why I will never back down when it comes to protecting and expanding affordable care. If you’re with me, add a contribution of any amount to support our work to stand up to Republican obstruction and expand affordable health care. Thanks in advance for anything you can give. If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: I’ll never stop fighting to bring quality, affordable health care to every American. Thanks for standing by me in this fight. — Tammy |