#ThisIsWhy The Affordable Care Act Is Helping Ohioans

The Affordable Care Act is already helping millions of people, including this list of Ohioans and their personal stories of health care success.

1. Akron Resident Now Only Paying $67 A Month For Health Care

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Mari, of Akron, was paying over $300 a month for insurance. She worried she may have to go without care because she couldn't afford it. Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act changed that. Mari went online on the health care marketplace and a couple of hours later she found out her healthcare will now only cost her $67. Now Mari doesn't have to worry about not going without health care.

#ThisIsWhy the ACA is saving her family precious money each month.

2. Youngstown Resident Now Has Peace of Mind

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Justine, of Youngstown has peace of mind knowing that her daughter Ula, who is battling bone cancer for the second time, is able to stay on Justine's insurance until she is 26 and then after that, she will not be able to be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

#ThisIsWhy Justine is grateful for the Affordable Care Act and what it means for her daughter.

3. Hamilton Resident Hasn't Had Insurance for 16 Years

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"The process was painless. I applied online and had no issues at all. It was not difficult to navigate or to find the policies that would fit." Bob, of Hamilton, hasn't had insurance in 16 years. The Affordable Care Act changed that. Now Bob will be able to get the proper treatment he needs for his Diabetes. He will be able to get his preventative care, that will help him continue to stay healthy, for free.

#ThisIsWhy the Affordable Care Act matters to Bob.

4. Lancaster Residents Wanted No Part of Obamacare, Until They Did.

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Sean and Stephanie Reeche, of Lancaster, were skeptical of "Obamacare" and said they want no part of it. Why? Because “I hear a lot of bad things about it – that it doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions and it’s too expensive.” But in 2012, Sean was diagnosed with cancer, his cancer center saying his insurance was essentially worthless. They went to the marketplace and discovered they could get a better plan for a lower cost. ”Because of “Obamacare” – the law Stephanie Recchi assumed she wanted no part of – this family doesn’t have to worry about being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Sean Recchi’s cancer is in remission, but he knows he can cover the costs of his medication.

#ThisIsWhy they are grateful to the Affordable Care Act and will no longer base their opinions on hearsay.

5. Maineville Resident No Longer Has to Worry About Her Son Getting Covered

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Sally Gasior, of Maineville, has worried for years about her son being denied health care. Her son has cystic fibrosis, a "pre-existing condition". His condition requires constant care and medication. Without insurance, it would be detrimental to his health. Having a pre-existing condition, Sally was always afraid that once he gets older and off her health insurance, that he wouldn't be able to get coverage on his own. Until the Affordable Care Act came along. Now he is insured with affordable, quality care. He has all his same doctors and he's even buying a house next month. And for Sally, she has peace of mind.

#ThisIsWhy Sally volunteers to make sure people have the same opportunity to get covered as her son did.

6. Akron Residents No Longer Afraid Of Going to the Doctor

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“I’ve been afraid for the last three years to get preventive care, because if they found something, I couldn’t afford to treat it,” said Rita Rizzo, of Akron, “I haven’t had any blood work in three years and my right hip is starting to give out.” Now, she and her husband, Lou, are covered and only for $167 a month and can get the preventative care they need to stay healthy.

#ThisIsWhy Rita and Lou advocate for the Affordable Care Act.

7. Marblehead Resident Hit Lifetime Cap Before She Was Even In Her Teens

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Taylor had not even reached her teens and she was on the verge of being uninsurable for life. Amy Whilhite, of Marblehead, was told by her insurance company that her daughter Taylor, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 8, was about to hit her lifetime limit for coverage, thus making her completely uninsurable. The Affordable Care Act changed all of that by eliminating lifetime limits on health coverage. Now Amy knows that her daughter will be able to get the care she needs for the rest of her life.

#ThisIsWhy Amy and her daughter will not have to worry about health coverage any longer.