×

Future of health care

Local congressman explains strategy coming out of Washington

JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times Pamela Miller, 65, of Marietta, speaks with Ohio 6th District Congressman Bill Johnson's outreach coordinator Kevin Smart about suggested reforms to national healthcare policy Thursday.

Editor’s Note: This story has been edited from the version that appeared in Friday’s paper.

By Janelle Patterson

The Marietta Times

jpatterson@mariettatimes.com

The cost for one treatment for Stage 4 liver cancer survivor Pamela Miller is $12,000 and she needs them twice a year to stay alive.

Miller, of Marietta, has a Managed Medicare Plan to help offset the costs but fears that others like her could be left without coverage–and treatment–if the Affordable Health Care Act is repealed and a new plan is put in place without certain protections.

She shared her concerns Thursday at the Marietta office of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, along with a cancer patient advocate.

“We’re a nonpartisan organization that is working in groups and with congressmen and senators from all over the country to advocate for the needs of those with cancer,” said Lauren Coatoam, Ohio grassroots manager with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. “We want to be part of solutions to ensure that those we represent get the best care and get it at an affordable rate.”

Coatoam joined Miller, 65, Thursday to speak with Johnson’s staff about the Affordable Care Act and to voice concerns and hopes for future changes to health insurance policy in the U.S. Miller said while she thinks parts of the Affordable Care Act do not work she wants to ensure that other pieces make it into replacement legislation.

“I’m a 17-year survivor of Stage 4 liver cancer,” Miller explained to Johnson’s outreach coordinator, Kevin Smart. “The treatments to stay in remission are very expensive, and if I had to go to the marketplace for insurance I wouldn’t be able to afford staying alive.”

Miller’s concerns with Republican party moves to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act are two-fold. She said she is worried that insurance coverage may be lost for others who rely on consistent treatment for cancer or post-cancer treatments because of their pre-existing conditions. She’s also concerned that insurance premiums and deductibles are currently so high that quality health care is out of reach for many.

“If I had not had access to insurance in the middle of lifelong treatment it would have been devastating,” she explained. “My treatments cost $12,000 each time, with a co-pay of $4,500. That’s cost prohibitive to many and I have even had to seek financial assistance at times.”

In Ohio 212,046 people have purchased coverage through the Affordable Care Act with an additional 174,500 people who receive subsidies through ACA programs to offset medical costs.

“This is a time to strengthen and improve what was started with that,” said Coatoam. “And to ensure that patient protections remain in place as policies make care more affordable.”

Though Johnson was unable to attend the meeting, Smart said he would convey Miller and Coatoam’s concerns to him as he works with other legislators to move forward with further health care reform.

“And then we will try to set up a meeting with the congressman and Ms. Miller in April so they can speak more about the Affordable Care Act,” said Smart.

In an interview after the meeting Johnson said his party’s plan is to replace current health insurance regulations including through a bill introduced in the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week of which Johnson is a current sponsor.

“This is going to be done systematically in a three-phase approach,” said Johnson. “But our goal is to do no harm and keep the protection of those with pre-existing conditions and for young people to stay on their parent’s health insurance through age 26.”

House Resolution 628 specifically addresses the protection for patients with pre-existing conditions by reaffirming guaranteed health care access already outlined by the ACA.

But Johnson said the difference between coverage and actual access to reliable and beneficial health care lies in affordable access.

“When the premiums and deductibles aren’t affordable and you’re forced to pay $27,000 out of pocket before insurance pays a dime, that’s not accessible health care,” he said.

In tandem with a planned repeal of the ACA’s fines and mandates for budget reconciliation, Johnson said the recently confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price will be working to remove bureaucratic barriers from the path of legislators as they form a “replacement package” in the coming months.

“The implementation of all of this could take several years, but it must because we’re not going to kick people off the bus, so to speak, of health care,” said Johnson.

Also on Johnson’s plate in the coming months is a focus on liquid natural gas export opportunities within Ohio, a broadband investment roll out for rural areas like south and eastern Ohio, and exploration into the uses of tele-medicine.

“Even when we’re on a break, I don’t sit behind a desk,” said Johnson. “I’ve been in Galia and Meigs counties today and I’ll be in Muskingum County tonight. I’ll be glad to talk with anyone who wants to share their concerns… just call one of my district office and they will help you set up an appointment.”

How to contact 6th District Congressman Bill Johnson, R-Ohio:

• Marietta District Office: 740-376-0868.

• Salem District Office: 330-337-6951.

• Cambridge District Office: 740-432-2366.

• Ironton District Office: 740-534-9431.

Source: Congressman Johnson.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today