RICHMOND Va. (WTVR) - When 32-year-old Monica Wiley was 9 years-old, she suffered a spinal cord injury when a drunk driver plunged into the family vehicle, killing her mother, sister and stepfather, virtually killing her entire family.
But she doesn't want any sympathy, all she wants is the Affordable Care Act to stay alive.
“[The day President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law] was the best gift any person could ever give me. It was like receiving a cash bonus from your job,” Wiley said.
Though she has a college education, Wiley says she’s looked for work many times, but to no avail. he relies on Medicaid, and what’s left of her mother’s life insurance policy.
Wiley says she hasn’t seen a doctor in 10 years because she can’t afford it, but the Affordable Care Act will help her life a long life.
“So for me, the Affordable Care Act will allow me to see various doctors, I can see a spinal cord specialist. I would have access to various equipment that will allow me to be able to walk and continue to enjoy my life,” Wiley said.
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme court is going to make its final decision on the president's health care law and decide whether it's constitutional.
The law calls for all of us to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Connected to the mandate is that insurance companies cover everybody, regardless of pre-existing conditions.
Doug Gray is the Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Health Plans, represents 12 insurance companies in Virginia. He says if the highest court in the land chooses not to strike down the affordable health care law, the insurance industry will do its best accommodate as many people as possible
“We`re trying to be efficient in our operations. We`re trying to comply as quickly as possible without too much of a large premium increase,” Gray said.
He also says that if the mandate is struck down, insurance companies will continue the provision children can remain on their parents health insurance until age 26.
CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth says this decision will affect everyone of us.
“So, these issues are going to be kitchen table issues for people. :07 and, they`re going to be discussing this throughout this election. 2:17:10>
Even if the law is struck down, Wiley says she's not giving up hope.
"I will continue fighting because I have a president who is fighting for me,” she says.
Not everyone agrees with Wiley. Polls indicate the majority of Americans do not support the individual mandate.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the law later today.
