Polarizing topic

OK, this blog is about Logan and his fight against Leukemia. And this post is about something that many people have very strong feelings about on either side, but this is a story about how it impacts an actual family, our family. The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

One of the first worries that entered my mind when we found out about Logan's diagnosis (after the initial shock and fear over losing him) was how we were going to pay all the bills. Yes, I have healthcare insurance through my job. But there is still a significant out of pocket expense, and added to that my plan year starts on July first. So what that means is that we would max out all of our deductibles and out of pocket maximums in June, and then it reset in July and we had to start over on those. And we are looking at the maximum out of pocket expense for the next 3 years (actually 4 "plan years" to my insurance). This could be potentially devastating to our family. Enter Obamacare. Under the new healthcare law (some of the provisions that have just recently gone into effect) children with disabilities can qualify for a buy-in program of Medicaid that is essentially a secondary insurance. Our income is too high for him to qualify for full Medicaid, which is fine by us, but we can pay a monthly premium and it will pick up what our insurance does not pay for. Ironic isn't it? We make too much to qualify for aid, but would really struggle paying the bills. We were contemplating getting second jobs. Call me selfish, but spending less time with my children when one of them has cancer is not appealing to me. I feel like I need to be spending as much time as possible with him in his time of need. He is scared at times and doesn't feel well a good chunk of the time. So, we filled out the application, jumped through a few hoops, and were approved. This is a huge weight off of my shoulders right now. I can focus on my child and helping him get well.

Another benefit of this new health care law is that Logan cannot be denied health care coverage his entire life. In the past, a child with Leukemia (or any other cancer) could and would be denied coverage. They were considered a risk to insure because of their history. Or, if he did obtain coverage, then his "preexisting condition" of cancer would not be covered. That means that if there were any relapses or other cancers that happened, he would not be covered. Now, he is guaranteed coverage. I don't know about you, but I don't think a child should suffer their entire life because they had cancer. That in itself is enough suffering. It certainly was not a choice, and we wouldn't wish it on our worst enemy.

I know Obamacare is not perfect, even by a longshot, but it is saving us and Logan now and for many years to come.

This is a picture of Alexis, Logan and I with our Love, Hope, Strength bracelets. Alexis wanted Love, because what 6 year old girl doesn't? Logan had Hope, and I had Strength.