As a mother of two young daughters, I find myself grappling with numerous concerns for their future. Among the usual worries, a pressing new anxiety has emerged: Will my children be able to afford health insurance as they grow up?
Both of my daughters are set to enter adulthood with pre-existing conditions. My eldest has a kidney issue that currently requires no treatment, while my younger daughter has a series of past diagnoses from a congenital heart defect. Thankfully, they are both healthy now—active, bright, and dealing with nothing more serious than the occasional cold. However, their childhood medical histories could place them in a precarious situation within the “invisible risk pool.”
A recent report from the Center for American Progress highlighted that although the recent American Health Care Act prevents insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions like those my daughters have, it allows them to charge significantly higher premiums. The analysis suggested that even individuals with mild pre-existing conditions could face thousands of dollars in additional costs for health coverage.
I can’t help but visualize my daughters—talented, kind-hearted individuals eager to contribute positively to society—having to make significant sacrifices to afford health insurance. The idea of them facing a longer path to homeownership, delaying family planning, or living a frugal life just to maintain coverage is heart-wrenching. I worry that they might spend their hard-earned money on insurance that may not even cover the very conditions that increased their rates.
Another concern revolves around the potential of insurers refusing coverage for treatments related to their pre-existing conditions. For my eldest, this could mean a lack of coverage for any kidney or bladder issues. For my younger daughter, it could extend to her entire cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory health. In my most anxious moments, I envision them in doctors’ offices, with my older daughter being told that a simple urine pregnancy test isn’t covered, and my younger daughter contemplating whether to pay out of pocket for a chest x-ray for pneumonia.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has outlined the “hierarchical condition categories” that signify high expenditure risks for insurers. This terminology reflects the reality that certain conditions are costly to insure. Individuals with such conditions are likely to see their premiums spike if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. My elder daughter’s condition isn’t even included in that exhaustive list, but I found codes for my younger daughter’s issues that could shape her financial future.
My fears are backed by research. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation from 2001 examined how accessible individual health insurance was for those with less-than-perfect health. The results were alarming: out of 420 applications for coverage, only 10% received clean offers, while 37% were outright rejected. Those accepted often faced restrictions or surcharges.
If the ACA were repealed, we could find ourselves returning to a time when such barriers were commonplace, especially with companies no longer penalized for not providing insurance to employees. This shift could push us all onto the open market—where options may be limited.
Amid all these concerns about the potential fallout from an ACA repeal, my greatest fear is that the best option for my daughters might be to seek a life in a country with socialized medicine. It would be a heartbreaking decision, but who would want to stay in a place where their birth conditions could dictate their financial future? As I reflect on the state of healthcare, I can’t shake the belief that a repeal of the ACA would push away the young people who could help mend these flaws.
I worry about my children and the future we all face.
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In summary, as a parent, I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of health insurance costs on my daughters’ futures. The thought of them facing financial burdens due to their medical histories is troubling, and the uncertainty surrounding healthcare policies only adds to my worries.