Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
News
Health Care Reform is About Real People Like Joni Lownsdale
November 5, 2009
On October 23, I had the honor of representing the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) at a White House Breast Cancer Awareness event and sharing the podium with not only two other cancer survivors, but also our first lady, Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, our second lady (a title I didn't even know existed until I heard a White House staffer use it that day).
I spoke that day of my experience of being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2002, of my complete recovery and small likelihood of recurrence contrasted with my inability to obtain insurance other than through my state's high risk pool.
When I was first asked by ACSCAN to speak of my experiences with cancer and insurance, I felt like they were asking the wrong person. I have known people who have struggled for years physically and financially after a cancer diagnosis, those who have suffered far worse than I have in many ways. Surely they would be better spokesmen than I.
After some thought, however, I have changed my mind. If someone like me, a survivor of an early stage, treatable cancer, is discriminated against by the insurance industry and considered uninsurable, what chance do any of my fellow survivors have for adequate, affordable, accessible health insurance coverage?
And since October 23 I have been amazed at the number of people who have approached me to tell me their stories. There are my friends, the dual income couple, neither of whom have insurance through their employers, who are searching for a private policy to cover both of them and their two children. They are worried about pre-existing conditions making them ineligible. Then there is my acquaintance who is a single middle-aged woman who works two part-time jobs and has no insurance and no way to afford a private policy. And there are the other cancer survivors out there who have told me of living in states with no high risk pool, or high risk pools that run more than $1,000 per month per person.
There are a number of proposed health care reforms on the table in Washington right now. I urge each of you to try to gain a basic understanding of these and contact your legislators with your opinions. It is also important that we each think outside of what benefits each of us individually, and look ahead to the greater good our our country, our fellow citizens and the generations to come.
Thank you for allowing me to be a voice for other cancer survivors.
Joni Lownsdale