Donald M. Payne: “One of my constituents, Paul from Montclair, New Jersey, shared with my office his struggle with bladder cancer, HIV…”

“One of my constituents, Paul from Montclair, New Jersey, shared with my office his struggle with bladder cancer, HIV, and severe depression. He told us that he is scared, like most people who rely on the Affordable Care Act, because Republicans are determined to gut this legislation. He told us that he depends on the ACA for his medications and treatments, without which he fears he will die. Paul lives on an unstable income, and it is only because of the ACA that he is able to afford his treatments. The staffer in my office who spoke with Paul told me that he could feel the fear in Paul's voice as he listened to Paul's story. Paul is rightly concerned about whether he will be able to afford his next urologist appointment and what will happen if he can no longer pay for his depression medication. Now, Paul told us that this was the first time that he publicly announced his medical conditions because he wants people to see the human face on the problem of the ACA repeal. He wants people to know that the ACA is keeping people alive. Over 20 million people now depend on the ACA. They are not empty numbers. They are real people who deserve affordable, quality health coverage. ACA repeal would strip them of this coverage and make it impossible for them to get the care they rightly need. Democrats will continue to stand our ground on the ACA, and we will continue to stand up for people who depend on the law, like Paul.…”