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Noam N. Levey: Obamacare’s Guaranteed Health Coverage Changes Lives In First Year
Like many working Americans, Lisa Gray thought she had good health insurance. That was until she was diagnosed with leukemia in mid-2013, and the self-employed businesswoman made a startling discovery: Her health plan didn’t cover the chemotherapy she needed. “I thought I was going to die,” Gray, 62, said recently, recalling her desperate scramble to get lifesaving drugs. it was a new health plan through the Affordable Care Act that Gray credits with saving her life. The plan, which started Jan. 1, 2014, gave her access to the recommended chemotherapy. Her cancer went into remission in the fall. It is now one year since the federal law began guaranteeing coverage to most Americans for the first time, even if they are sick.
For many Americans like Gray — who were stuck in plans that didn’t cover vital services or who couldn’t get insurance because of a preexisting medical condition — the law has had a personal, even life-changing impact. “A couple years earlier, I think I would have been done,” Gray said. But the insurance guarantee — which includes billions of dollars in aid to low- and middle-income Americans — has extended coverage to about 10 million people who previously had no insurance, surveys indicate. That cut the nation’s uninsured rate more than 20% last year, the largest drop in half a century. The law also changed coverage for millions more people who were in plans like Gray’s that capped or excluded benefits, a once-common feature of health insurance that is now banned.
More here
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Take care of yourself today—#GetCovered for tomorrow: ofa.bo/h2E4
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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 05, 2026"it was a new health plan through the Affordable Care Act that Gray credits with saving her life" latimes.com/nation/la-na-o…
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Lily Adams (@adamslily) January 05, 2026"Obamacare's guaranteed health coverage changes lives in first year" More from @latimes: ofa.bo/r2Fc
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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 05, 2026
White House.gov
Hi.
It’s only me.
Look who’s first :)
NerdyW opened the gate just as I was approaching, Bobfr, and beckoned me in. Thanks Nerdy, for the invite and the reminder about Feb 15th. :)
Thank you, NW, for once again featuring an important reminder that #Obamacare Saves Lives!!!!
This seems fitting ….
#DeathPanels In_DEED!!
You’re welcome, Bob.
Obamacare is aweeeeeeeeeeeeeeesome - thank you Nerdy!!!!!
You’re welcome, Chips.
These stories matter! Congrats vc.
TY, A-Bee. You still standing, or are you awash in fresh fruit juices? :grin:
I’m still standing but planning on a deep dive next couple of days
‘a deep dive’
Seriously? You are courageous!
Ill let you know how it goes.
I’ll tell you now, A-Bee, you’d best enjoy it for both of us as there is *no way* you’d get me to try it! I don’t even do ferry crossings, much more taking a trip beneath the surface! Have fun for both of us! :grin:
I will but, although i am a good swimmer my deep dive was going to be into a scotch bottle rather than the delightful Carribean sea. But perhaps i could be both in one of tjose poolside bars. 😳
/in exasperation/ You drinkers! Here I was picturing you going ‘deep’ to check out the underwater beauty of the Caribbean! :roll:
Lol. Hey for some folks deep is 1 meter. I am just gping two fingers deep in the single malt.
smh
Wooosh! Thanks Nerdy for this awesome, info-jammed Obamacare post :)
Evening Chips & TOD!
You’re welcome, HF.
Trying to crystallize the GOP in 140 characters ….
In short, if you’re not well to do, white, male and registered Republican, you’re on the GOP hit list. Democratic men, no matter how wealthy, are despised.
HOLY SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!
Our genes are a miraculous thing indeed.
Adele’s child doesn’t seem to have had any DNA input from her father.
Obamacare is the BEST! I need to share a few thoughts and please chime in and tell me if I’m talking out my behind. (It happens on occasion)
I woke up last night around 2 am and couldn’t get back to sleep…first day back to school jitters…so I was laying there in the darkness, thinking of Obamacare and all the millions that it has saved/helped/will help and thinking about the King v Burwell lawsuit…and how much that would change for the worse, the lives and healthcare of all the people that can afford this peace of mind BECAUSE of the subsidies. If these subsidies are taken away, then someone should sue the corporations that receive subsidies from our tax dollars that THEY DON’T EVEN NEED and SOMETIMES DON’T ASK FOR! What’s good for the goose…if subsidies are an issue, then why is it ok to give away taxpayer $$ to corporations, but not to needful American families? THIS kept me up last night…all night.
The good news….I get to see my President on Thursday:) I want to crawl out of my skin right now because I’m so excited to have this opportunity. It’s who you know :) So grateful!! I would appreciate any kind of help as far as what I need to know to be comfortable…I’m going by myself, but I don’t care…. I wish I could be in the front and get a hug/kiss/autograph/all the above:)
I am so happyyyyyy…for you…i got my chance to see the President when he came to Philly to campaign for Wolf…i was so excited and in so much awe.that..i started crying when he walked on stage…there was such a roarrrrrrr…from the people….when he came on stage…he has such an easy and comfortable walk…and the people love him….
be prepared to stand for a few hours..in my situation a few elected officials spoke…first…don’t know if this will be the case for you…the crowd will be electric…and so will you….smilin
:) {{{prettyfoot}}}} That’s what I’m hearing..I just want to suck in all the moment and just record this for forever! I always hoped and here it is!
Have a wonderful time, Desertf! I bet the wait won’t matter. I suspect the atmosphere will be so vibrant and so full of expectancy and camaraderie that even if it’s a long wait, it won’t be ‘painful’. I can’t wait to hear your report!
Thanks a bunch, vc:) I WILL get back and share the day with all of you. Truly…I can hardly contain myself!
I can only imagine! :)
Yes, I remember that.
His reception in Philly was amazing, and I liked Tom Wolf’s introduction too. So glad he ousted that awful Corbett, who did such damage to the Philly schools during his tenure (among other bad things).
OMG, SOOOOOO excited for you! Seeing PBO in person is mind-blowing. He’s just phenomenally magnetic and he will leave you speechless.
Make sure you eat a good meal before you go. Take snacks and water. It will be hours of waiting and you’ll need sustenance. Sometimes you’re allowed to bring this in and sometimes you’re not but at least you’ll have something if you need it while waiting to get in. Comfortable shoes and clothing are a must. I always got there early and made a beeline for the front. I really hope you get to see him up close and shake his hand!!
Can’t wait to hear all about it!!
AHHHHHH!!! I’m really getting excited now:) Thanks, meta
Details are still sketchy about PO’s Knoxville visit Friday. He will be two places in the area: a community college and a manufacturing plant in a very small town not far from Oak Ridge. No info on time or anything else. Symmetry and I have messaged on FB. She is very active in OFA/TN, but she doesn’t think she will even be able to get tickets. It’s being called a WH event so evidently has different “rules”/procedures. I have so many bladder issues and need to be close to a bathroom and am dealing with a neuroma on my foot so can’t stand/walk for very long so I’m fairly sure I wouldn’t be able to go. Wish some more info would be made available-just because I want to know. :)
I am concerned about the reception he will get. 99% of the comments on FB threads are so racist and hate-filled. It is shameful. Shows such disrespect.
Reminds me of PBO’s trip to Nashville last month, which looked to be a tiny audience of only people involved with the immigration center he visited.
As you know, my father’s family is from Greene County TN, so I understand why the WH staff/Secret Secret would want as safe an environment as possible for our President in east Tennessee.
Hopefully you’ll be able to view PBO’s speech live here at TOD.
Yes, I’m sure they know what they are coming into. Sure hope some fools don’t embarrass us, but sadly I will not be surprised if it happens. Disappointed but not surprised. The comments put ignorance, stupidity and uninformed idiots on full display.
take heart tnmtngirl….
i love the fact that PBO goes to places where he may not be as popular….i remember on election night in 2008…he stood before a massive crowd and said for those who did not vote for me…i will be your President too…going to so called unfriendly places is who he is…and i pray that maybe his visit might change some minds and hearts…
I love that too. I, too, remember when he said that and KNOW he has done that. He works for every American, including those who hate him. If his visit changes one person, the negatives will be outweighed.
good news for your state.. :-D
WooT!!!
WTG, DF.
I’ve never seen PBO in person, but I’d like to see you directly behind him — you wouldn’t have a great view of his front-side, but your TOD family would be your personal cheerleading section.
Looking forward to seeing how local pols greet PBO — disappointed that Gabby Giffords’ seat is now occupied by a GOPer (McSally) — I know that’s the Tucson, not Phoenix district, but I just know in my bones that had Gabby not been shot, she would be traveling on AF1 with our President this week.
Think that you hit the nail on the head about Gabby Giffords. McSally…Teabagger. I suspect that the people of AZ need to get a good wiff of that stink before they figure out that they’re nutjobs. Anyway, I’ll keep you all posted when I’m there and tell you all about it when I get back:)
I forgot that Barber lost. Do you know why?
DF!!! VAHOO!!! I am one of these millions whose life has been saved by Obamacare. I didn’t have a life-threatening illness or injury, but after 8 uninsured years, and my knee injury, I am beyond grateful for the care I am receiving, and have all year, tho it has turned up too many health issues I am having a hard time dealing with, and my lovely, kind doctors are more than baffled with me. But without Obamacare, my mind will not even consider what a complete mess my life would be today. I suggest to be most comfortable in the same atmosphere with PBO, just stay calm, optimistic, and don’t forget to breathe! Going alone is best, I think. You get to meet more people that way. Sometimes when we are with another person, we don’t step outside the box. And who knows, the day is not over, you just may have the opportunity to meet him. We will be hanging out to hear the story! <3
Great news for you, MP! :) :) :)
Yes, indeed.
Desertflower, I am sooooooooooooooooo thrilled for you, beyond excited that you’re going to get to see PBO, doing a seriously happy happy dance right now! :-)
Thanks, SweetChips!! I think I’ll dance like this when I get there:)
Cannot wait to hear your report!!!
Can’t wait to tell everyone:) A dream come true for me.
Thanks, hopefruit:) Promise I’ll share all of it!
I am so happy for you DF!!! It will be something you will never forget. Take lots of pictures.
NEVERNEVERNEVERNEVERNEVERFORGET!!
so, what did the corrupt critters do y’day?
#Teabagger frothing over #FireBoehner continues unabated on Twitter ….
Really do wonder if any of those clowns realize that the Speaker is chose by a majority vote (abstaining votes excluded) and Speaker Boehner has an opponent - Minority Leader Pelosi. If 59 Rs either don’t vote or vote for someone other than Boehner and all Ds vote for her, she’d be Speaker.
Channeling my inner Captain Picard: “Make it so.” ;)
:)
Hush, Bobfr, don’t you go making them any the wiser. Chuckle - wouldn’t if be funny if in their ignorance House members pull a Cruz! Didn’t Cruz allow several PBO nominees to get through because of his ignorance of the process?
;)
Yes, VC, CruzContol unwittingly enabled Senator Reid to move many of President Obama’s appointees to a successful vote (I think the number was 24, but don’t have time now to check).
No sweat, the number doesn’t matter. What matters ;) is that it would be sooo sweet if these new ignoramuses/ignorami in the House handed the leaderships to NancySmash. The thought alone is enough for a good laugh!
Pope Francis is holding a raffle to raise money for the poor and the top prize is his 4×4 Fiat Panda.
Is Pope Francis the coolest Pope ever???
I liked him from the beginning of his service as Pope, when he chose Saint Francis of Assisi as inspiration for his Papal Name.
Totally agree. Here’s how the Pope expressed why he chose the name Francis:
http://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/pope-francis-explains-why-he-chose-st-francis-of-assisis-name/13243
The vegetable seeds given to the Pope by President Obama are not being raffled… http://www.clickondetroit.com/consumer/popes-car-is-1st-prize-in-vatican-raffle/30531972
Just like Jackie Robinson was a pioneer in baseball, so is Stuart Scott in changing the lexicon of how sports and representing the voices of black players and the younger generation of sports fans of all races. Even if you never saw Stuart this from Keith Obermann and the Slate article are both worth a few minutes. As POTUS said, Stuart Scott will be missed.
Chips and TODville - Our friend “CanadaBarb4Obama” said it was okay for me to ask for good thoughts and prayers to be sent her way tonight, because of some significant medical tests she’ll be undergoing tomorrow. She may not post all the time, but she’s a true part of The Obama Diary, and appreciates knowing - like the rest of us - that we really are each others’ extended family.
All the best, Barb! {{{Hugs to my Canadian O’sister}}}
Will keep you in my thoughts, Barb. Thank you Jacqueline for informing the family.
{{{CanadaBarb}}}} thinking of you and hoping all goes well tomorrow
Thank you for alerting us. We will be sending her prayers and strength.
I will make sure her name is being sung aloud when I light the next candle in a little while. Please give her my love.
Thanks, everyone - I’ll make sure CanadaBarb knows about your good wishes! Love y’all!
Please let her know that her TOD family will be praying for her and sending lots of positive energy.
Will hold you in positive thoughts tomorrow, CanadaBarb! May you sense our support in the moments when you need it the most.
JO’B, did you do your bike riding today? I started, and JackieG is also joining in with us so that she has encouragement to practise her falling exercises as per her promise to her son. She’ll join us for January, which is probably how long I’ll last. ;)
Yes! I saw both of your comments earlier, but forgot to reply. We.Got.This. <3
^ 5 :cool:
VC, I got my exercises done today, after going to the gym, meetings and grocery shopping. They were so exhausting I was starting to think it would be better to just fall than to go through all of this. But I will persevere because a promise is a promise and I know this will all make me stronger.
One down! :)
You can do this, JG, and it will not only make you stronger, it will make son happier.
BTW, can’t they be done at the gym?
VERY BEST wishes and outcomes for our dear {{{{CanadaBarb}}}}. TY, JO’B.
Wishing you all the best Barb. Sending healing and positive vibes your way.
Best of prayerful meditative energy coming her way…….
Thanks for letting us know this, JOB. My prayers are with her.
Jackueline, please let CanadaBarb4Obama that she will be in my thoughts and prayers while she goes through her medical tests and any treatment she may need.
Thanks so much.
CanadaBarb4Obama asked me to “Please thank everyone for their prayers … “
Jacqueline, thank you so much for letting us know about CanadaBarb. I forgot to do so in my previous comment.
She’s been my dear friend since 2009, so I know she’ll be very comforted by everybody’s comments. Thanks again.
PF, because PA voters gave Wolf a Republican state assembly and senate he is going to have a devil of a time changing anything. I hope he has a plan to convince the knuckleheads that education funding has to change, but seeing the quality of our reps I don’t know how he’s going to do it.
i feel as you do…he adopted much of PBO’s playbook in his run for governor…i hope he continues to mimic the successes that PBO has had and that he has learned how to run circles around the GOP
As for tickets to see the President?
Tickets will be distributed at noon Tuesday at the Phoenix Union High School District office, 4502 N. Central Ave. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. [More information available at AZCentral.com]
My family has our own Obamacare story. My 28 year old son just missed signing up for it last year. (He wanted it but left it late, there were website glitches, he was not eligible for subsididies, and he wasn’t earning enough to afford it. He finally just ran out of time). This past November, he noticed a small pimple like a ingrown hair on his upper thigh. A day and a half later he called me, worried because it had turned to a hard lump. We went to urgent care and had to tell them he had no insurance. The doctor took a superficial look, gave him antibiotics and told him to check back in two days. Two days later we went to my doctor who said he had three abscessed lymph nodes - it had traveled all the way around his leg. After more anti-biotics which did no good. He finally had to be admitted to the hospital. The doctor tried to keep him out but it was no good. He was seen by an infectious medicine doctor and a surgeon. The surgeon made time in his schedule to do the surgery that afternoon so he wouldn’t have to spend two nights in the hospital. After the surgery he said they had been really deep. The hospital and doctors tried everything to keep his expenses down. He was admitted at 1:00 on Friday and discharged Saturday afternoon. The hospital gave him a 40% uninsured discount; so far the bills are up to $8,000 and still climbing. This fall he got right on the exchange and got a plan one step up from the basic. He is so relieved; he has a high deductible, but at least there is an upper limit that he would need to pay. After the surgery the doctor told me, quite seriously, that our job was to find a way to not pay the bill because nobody has that kind of money lying around to spare. We are working with the hospital on a payment plan. Throughout, the hospital and doctors were kind, sympathetic, and eager to help us keep the costs as low as possible.
These are the stories that need to be told. I just hate all the Repubs for trying to change it. So glad your son made it okay. This is one of those stories that could have gone either way. How can they hate the citizens so much they don’t care about their health.
Good luck to your son, Mary.
Thank you, mtmarilyn. Yes, it traveled so fast that if he’d delayed going to the doctor it might have been really bad. As it was, even though he was scared to death at the idea of the hospital costs, he realized it was serious and called me. He lost a week of work (therefore a week of pay). I agree; I don’t understand how anyone still thinks this is a bad idea. How can they be so evil as to want to repeal it?
Wow, so glad your son was able to receive great medical treatment and now has insurance. You must feel more at ease knowing so. Very best to him in his recovery.
It’s a big relief, meta. And even though he may not meet the deductible, there is so much that’s just covered anyway, like yearly physicals. It was his Christmas gift to himself - and me!
I wish I could see him when he comes to Detroit; does anyone have any information on that?
President Barack Obama plans to speak this week at the Ford Motor Co.’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, the White House announced Monday afternoon. The president is expected to speak Wednesday afternoon in an appearance that won’t be open to the public. It will stream live online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live. …
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2015/01/president_barack_obama_to_spea.html
“not open to the public”…**sigh**…that’s what I was afraid of. Thanks for the information. :)
A face that actually looks dumber that Georgie Boy’s….at least in this picture.
PF, Please, noooooooooo!
I. Just. Can’t.
Do they have any idea how dumb and stupid they are?
I mean, really.
If the other dumb one runs for president I am seriously thinking about leaving this country.
Costa Rica is looking pretty good. Cuba is #2.
I was seriously depressed and was in bad mood for eight years just hearing the stupid one speak.
I had to retire to my bed or couch to rest whenever his stupid face came upon the television screen. Most of the time I just wanted to crawl in a sleeping bag and wait for then to come…..then he stole another term.
By now, I guess you can surmise it was a living hell!
DF- so thrilled to hear that you’re going to be seeing our PBO in-person!! Congrats, and can’t wait to hear your report later this week. :)
Totally!
:-) Inpeech!1!1
I see the private sector is marketing Obamacare off-exchange. I’ve seen adds on TV and now this online, a private exchange: http://www.obamacare-information.org
Nerdy’s tweets!
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/05/a-tweet-or-two-202/