It’s incredibly scary being somebody with health issues living in America in our day and age. Currently, house Republicans are making it even more difficult for struggling Americans to receive affordable healthcare. They are refusing to extend ACA premium tax credits and more that showed up during Obama’s presidency. As a result, the government remains shut down. A Utah woman living with diabetes is absolutely frightened about the state of health insurance in America and how she’ll be impacted in the years to come.
“I have totally accepted that if something doesn’t drastically change, I’m gonna [expletive] die,” Charlie says at the start of her video. She can’t afford having diabetes if the Affordable Care Act subsidies go away. Many Americans will no longer be able to afford their medications, appointments, therapies, equipment, and more for health conditions. How are Republicans going to juggle Americans already worried they’ll see healthcare costs go up.
Charlie said there’s no other options for people with diabetes and other life-threatening conditions. They can’t just say, “I can live without this,” then give up their insulin. In a moment of vulnerability, Charlie says, “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
She sees what’s happening in the country and the monthly payments we’re going to face if ACA premiums go away. On top of what Charlie is facing, her roommate is also a type 1 diabetic with real dreams and aspirations. And diabetes can be managed, people leading fulfilling lives, if they have affordable access to it.
“I don’t even need a house at this point, I just need insulin,” Charlie says, but she does have dreams. The fact we have to fight for so very little that should already be given to us for free (paid by taxes, yes, yes), says a lot about where we live. And as one commenter pointed out, “And they wonder why Luigi has such a huge fan base,” calling upon the alleged murderer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
That begs the question: What’s the point of healthcare so expensive it pushes you to pick between home or health? That’s not a choice; that’s a death sentence.
