Alabama Advocate Speaks up for Access to Care

On August 7, You're the Cure advocate Lura Denson of Birmingham, Alabama met with Senator Doug Jones' staff to speak about the importance of protections for pre-existing conditions.

Born with a congenital heart defect, Lura understands the importance of providing coverage for people regardless of their pre-existing conditions, allowing people more access to doctor's visits, prescription medication and other lifesaving treatments. As a mother of two, she fears losing coverage due to her pre-existing condition. Can you relate? Comment below! 

Watch Lura's story on Youtube!

If you recall, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010, resulted in significant coverage gains across the population - including cardiovascular disease and stroke patients. A 2017 study published in the journal Circulation found that in the first year after implementation, 7 million people at risk of or with cardiovascular diseases gained insurance coverage.

Yet, the ACA's future is uncertain, causing some insurers to hike their premiums for ACA insurance rates by 30 percent or more, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. If the ACA is overturned, 21 million Americans could lose their health insurance coverage by 2020. Among them would be survivors or people at high risk for heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. Pre-existing conditions would include high blood pressure, congenital heart defects and stroke.

“We can’t go backward and deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, especially those suffering from serious health problems like cardiovascular diseases that require ongoing medical care,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown.

“People everywhere deserve access to affordable and quality care to prevent and treat heart disease and to achieve better health outcomes.”