Letters to the editor for Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017

Repeal of Obamacare would yield harmful results

As a 70-year-old senior I have not had healthcare coverage for most of my life. When I became old enough to be covered by Medicare, it was the first time. Before that I just could not afford it. The expansions of coverage under the Affordable Care Act are what allows me to be covered now. Recently I was diagnosed with breast cancer and without my coverage I would not be able to afford treatment at all.

For the sake of all of us who will lose coverage we need to protect gains made under the ACA.

Even Republican Governor Brian Sandoval said, “Going forward we must leverage the advancements already made and paid for by the ACA. Moreover, you must ensure that individuals, families, children, aged, blind, disabled and the mentally ill are not suddenly left without the care they need to lead healthy, productive lives.”

The ACA has its shortcomings but it also has many positive aspects. Rather than being scrapped with no replacement in sight it needs to be reformed.

Susan Terry

Reno