Don't repeal the Affordable Care Act until you have a good replacement. That was the plea Thursday to Congress from members and supporters of an Iowa-based group, Families USA, during a stop in Davenport.
Mike Tramontina works as a navigator for the law in Des Moines, and says if it's repealed 230,000 Iowa residents could lose their health coverage. And from his work helping people sign up for Obamacare, he says the most common participant is a middle age woman who's husband is retiring.
"Now the husband is retiring and going on to Medicare, which means his wife loses health converage. If she's in her late 50's 0r early 60's, an individual health plan will cost her $800-$1,200 a month. And they're now newly retired and they simply can't afford that."
The second most common user or customer is a single, working mother.
Another strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act is Ezra Sidran from Davenport, who has a rare blood disease.
"I am alive today because of the Affordable Care Act. Without the Affordable Care Act, I would have had no insurance, I would not have received a bone marrow transplant - I would now be dead"
Shelley Sheehy from Davenport has struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for many years - she says the Affordable Care Act means she can get health insurance coverage, have access to life-saving drugs, and come close to leading a normal life.
