With U.S. House Republicans passing a bill this week to start repealing Obamacare, many Americans with ongoing health issues have been taking their panic and outrage to Twitter.
The American Health Care Act (AHCA), passed on Thursday, aims to undo many of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), former U.S. president Barack Obama’s signature piece of health legislation.
Republicans say the 2010 law is an example of government overreach and argue their new bill will eventually give people more choice.
But those opposing the bill say the AHCA would leave many Americans with pre-existing health conditions at risk of having to pay higher health insurance premiums -- a common practice before Obamacare.
What constitutes a pre-existing condition under the AHCA? The list is lengthy and includes everything from cancer, to acne, to having had a C-section.
Twitter users began tweeting under the #IAmAPreexistingCondition hashtag, to list the conditions they had that would make it difficult for them to get affordable insurance coverage.
Here are some of the most popular:
I survived breast cancer once, currently fighting it again at 36, I fear 4 my future, but mostly 4 others w/worse #IAmAPreexistingCondition
— Sarah DeJarlais (@SBDJ2381) May 4, 2017
I'm 7yo. W/o insulin, I will die and it will come swiftly. #IAmAPreexistingCondition @Rep_Hunter cares more for $ than kids like me pic.twitter.com/dVP4YVtNbF
— Bluebirdhelen (@BluebirdHelenG) May 5, 2017
I'm 5 mos old. Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot.I'll have heart surgery in a few weeks AND again when I'm older. #IAmAPreexistingCondition pic.twitter.com/BzdFUsjQCm
— Holly Boardman (@halehawk) May 5, 2017
My name is Alyssa Milano. I have anxiety disorder, 2 pregnancies, 2 c-sections and cystic acne. #IAmAPreexistingCondition pic.twitter.com/ywsmOSzxMD
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 5, 2017
Gave my kidney to save the life of a stranger. #IAmAPreexistingCondition
— Ari Sytner M.Ed LMSW (@arisytner) May 5, 2017
I'm a disabled veteran that suffers from PTSD#IAmAPreexistingCondition along with thousands of other veterans who suffer#Obamacare #AHCA pic.twitter.com/al9ar5QhoA
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) May 5, 2017
I've had asthma since I'm 7 months old. Must be because I wasn't living a "good life" for the first 6. #IAmAPreexistingCondition
— WEB (@WeeumBasha) May 4, 2017
#IAmAPreexistingCondition In Canada you get health care even if you have been sick before. Which is humane and not crazy.
— The Street Store (@streetstoreSF) May 5, 2017
