NARRATOR: The House of Representatives just passed
the American Health Care Act.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law,
it will repeal many vital protections
for 52 million Americans
who have preexisting conditions.
Healthcare is a human right
and no human should be denied access to healthcare
because of a preexisting condition.
- I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy
at 18 months of age.
- I am autistic.
- I have Larsen syndrome.
- I have cerebral palsy and OCD.
- Blindness, paralysis, high cholesterol.
- I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
and several related conditions
including dysautonomia and arthritis.
- Without healthcare coverage
for preexisting conditions,
I would not be able to work.
- I would not be able to pay out-of-pocket
for the durable medical equipment I use,
like my wheelchair.
- I would not be able to work
and I would not able to contribute to society.
- I would not be able to afford the mobility aids
that allow me to live an independent life.
- I wouldn't be able to get the coverage
for the physical therapy I need
to remain strong and independent.
- I would not be able to afford to rent and maintain
the ventilator and oxygen concentrator I use
to breathe every night while sleeping.
- I could not receive the weekly home nursing care
I need in order to keep me out of the hospital.
- And I wouldn't be able to afford
the treatments and medications
that help me to manage my chronic pain
and to maintain my health, my employment,
and my overall independence.
NARRATOR: Senators, we need you to listen:
- Legislation that takes away healthcare
from 24 million people
is not healthcare coverage.
- Do not continue to pit the healthy and wealthy
against the sick and the poor.
- Healthcare saved my life.
I don't want, for my friends,
a life without the dignity of care
and one that puts the blame on them
for things that are beyond their control.
I don't want that.
- Health insurance coverage of preexisting conditions
must be of equal cost and guaranteed.
- Vote NO on the American Health Care Act
and protect the lives of millions of people
with preexisting conditions.
- I would ask that you vote NO
on the American Health Care Act.
- I would tell my legislators to vote NO
on the American Health Care Act.
- Vote NO on the AHCA and any legislation
that protects profits over people.
NARRATOR: Each of the 1 in 4 Americans
with preexisting conditions
has the power to reach out to our senators
and tell them to vote NO on the AHCA.
- I am a preexisting condition.
NARRATOR: We are preexisting conditions.
Find out how to contact your senators
at RootedinRights.org/iamaprexistingcondition
Produced by Rooted in Rights
in partnership with
the National Council on Independent Living.