How the Repeal of Affordable Care Act Would Affect Asthma, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Health Coverage
The Center for American Progress, has created a state-by-state map of the states that would lose health provisions if the Affordable Care Act was repealed; their article, Health Reform Helps Millions with Chronic Conditions by Sonia Sekhar follows:
Health reform provides new security and stability for the nearly 72 million American adults living with chronic illnesses. This new interactive map shows state-by-state numbers and prevalence rates of adults who have a history of asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure — three conditions insurance companies have used to limit or flat out deny coverage.
Individuals with these conditions are now assured that they can obtain affordable, stable coverage, whether they purchase coverage on their own, receive coverage through a small business, or work for a large employer.View stats for your state here.
The map shows state-by-state numbers and prevalence rates of adults who have a history of asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure — three conditions insurance companies have used to limit or flat out deny coverage. Individuals with these conditions are now assured that they can obtain affordable, stable coverage, whether they purchase coverage on their own, receive coverage through a small business, or work for a large employer.
Nearly a third of all American adults have high blood pressure. Asthma and diabetes, though less prevalent, still affect up to a fifth and tenth of the adult population, respectively. These conditions, if left untreated, can lead to more serious health consequences, such as heart disease and kidney disease, and higher health care costs for both patients and payers.
If, for example, a patient with diabetes does not seek the requisite care to monitor his blood sugar, he is at a higher risk of kidney failure, amputation, and blindness—all of which are preventable. But reform opponents would put the 72 million Americans with chronic conditions at renewed risk of going without health insurance, and the health care it makes possible.
Asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure are just a few examples from a long list of chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and mental health problems that potentially prevented millions of Americans from obtaining quality, affordable health coverage. Consider that:
- About a quarter of working adults with pre-existing conditions delay or forgo needed medical care because of cost related access barriers.
- Among uninsured working adults, 38 percent go without needed care, 65 percent delay care, and 73 percent did not fill a prescription because of cost concerns.
Health reform provides new security and stability for Americans with chronic illnesses. The Affordable Care Act protects all Americans from bad insurance company practices, ensures coverage is affordable regardless of health status, and strives to stabilize the rise in health care costs by ensuring that both healthy and sick people have coverage.