osodecanela | Affordable Care Act or Obamacare

I had lunch today with a rep from one of the pharmaceutical companies that calls on me. More often than not we wind up talking about things other than the drugs he's trying to get me to prescribe. Over a bowl of miso, he asked my what I thought about "Obamacare", if I thought that it was making a difference.

I looked at him over my glasses and nodded.

He asked how.

I can easily name 3 dozen young people in my practice between the ages of 21 and 26 that are covered now, that would not be otherwise, and at least 5 that would have had a very difficult time getting coverage because of pre-existing conditions, were they not on their parents' policies.

I understand first hand what it means to be uninsured. I was uncovered for almost 6 years. A physician without healthcare coverage.

Why? Because my own pre-existing conditions kept affordable coverage out of my reach as an individual. It wasn't until I had enough employees in my practice, and I could put together a group to cover, that health insurance for myself became affordable. I was a small business owner and one major illness would have left me destitute. That was a very scary proposition.

No, I don't think the act was perfect and I have my disappointments with it, but it's a very major step forward and that in my book is a very important first step.

This video hit me hard. I know too many people that like me could not get adequate coverage for way too long, that now will not be forced to go bare and risk so much.