Elizabeth Aviles works as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Waterbury, Conn. She is also a member of SEIU Local 1199NE. Since Aviles works only 22 hours a week, she is not able to purchase health insurance, which is especially troublesome since she has some serious medical issues that require immediate attention. So when a fellow member of 1199NE knocked on her door one day as part of an outreach effort, Aviles had no idea how her life would change over the next 30 minutes.
He explained how she might be eligible for Medicaid–under the expanded program the state was instituting thanks to the new healthcare law. He had Aviles dial the number to the state’s call center, and then she was placed on hold for 20 minutes.
“Once I got someone on the line, I was approved for Medicaid in about 5 minutes,” Aviles said. “A week later I got my Medicaid card in the mail, and now I have healthcare again.”
Aviles is relieved, because now she can get the medical help she needs. In addition, to an upcoming surgery she is scheduling, Aviles will be able to take care of some of the other lingering issues she has had. “At my job I’ve had to help treat clients who are suffering from back pain, when I’m suffering from the same thing myself and without the resources to get it treated,” she said.
The goal of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act has always been to give people access to medical care regardless of income and without putting them into serious debt. For millions of working American’s like Aviles who previously couldn’t afford care, that goal is becoming a reality.
This article was originally printed on SEIU on November 22, 2013. Reprinted with permission.
Author: SEIU Communications
