Families Who Depend On Health Law Look Back At Roller Coaster Of A Year

For some, 2017 meant constantly having the news turned on in different parts of the house just to make sure they didn't miss any developments on the health care debate. “It was a stressful time. It was, is this going to be bill that kills the ACA, and what will that mean for the people who live and work here in Kansas City?” said Jerry Jones, executive director of the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County.

KCUR: Assailed And Besieged, A Year Into Trump The Affordable Care Act Still Offers Lifeline To Many

Entrepreneurs Keely Edgington and Beau Williams, owners of a Westport bar called Julep, say that the Affordable Care Act has been an easy, inexpensive way for them to get health insurance. Having insurance has been critical for the married couple. Their daughter Lula was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 when she was nine months old. Even with insurance, the family needed help from friends and family to pay her medical costs. (Smith, 1/24)

In other health law news —

WBUR: Under Obamacare, Out-Of-Pocket Costs Dropped But Premiums Rose, Study Finds

Passing the Affordable Care Act was always much more about extending coverage than cutting costs. Still, as the landmark law faces one challenge after another, new data are giving a better picture of how the law has played out. (Goldberg, 1/23)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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