In a statement on the House floor today, U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) shared stories from 10th district residents in Oakdale, Ceres, Denair and Turlock about their experiences with the Affordable Care Act.
"Many of my constituents have health care plans they like and would like to keep," said Rep. Denham. "They believed that under the Affordable Care Act they would be able to keep their plans and that their premiums would go down. Today as the law begins to take effect, the hardworking men and women who I am proud to represent are finding that their plans are getting canceled and their premiums are rising. The Valley continues to see a shortage of doctors and physicians accepting Medicare and Medicaid patients, and the new law will only make that shortage more stark. Despite the President's promises, my constituents are finding out that they can't afford the Affordable Care Act."
Aaron, a constituent from Waterford, said, "I am a small business owner with a construction business in Modesto, CA with two employees. My wife has her own small book keeping business. We are a family of three and have always paid for our health care out of pocket. As of Oct 1, 2013 our health care policy for 2014 is going to increase by roughly $250 per month [the policy has] increased our co-pay, deductible, and RX's by double. And to add insult to injury we were told by our health care representative that we should apply for Medical because we only show $25,000 of income per year. We were also told that for a family of three that the income cap to receive Medical is $78,000."
Nate, an Oakdale resident, said, "Before the Affordable Care Act, our health coverage was $279 a month for me and my wife. We recently got a letter in the mail stating that our plan is no longer available due to the ACA and that our premium will be $434.60 a month -- an increase of $155.60. That is NOT affordable for our family."