Our friend, Jane*, is also breathing a sigh of relief. Jane is a gardener who was uninsured for most of her adult life – until the Affordable Care Act made coverage a reality. For years, Jane dealt with various health issues that challenged her ability to make a living. When she enrolled in Washington’s Medicaid expansion in 2014, she finally figured out that a severe iron deficiency was the main culprit. With treatment for the iron deficiency, and physical therapy to treat persistent arthritis and tendonitis, Jane has been able to prioritize treatment and is on the road to recovery. She says, “I’m just one small example of the importance of having health care. Without it these treatable issues easily could’ve progressed into disastrous nightmares. Health care has had a huge impact on my well-being, I would even say life-saving.”

(* Not her real name)

Hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians have also benefited from the Medicaid expansion and the ACA’s individual market products. Continued vigilance is needed to ensure they don’t lose their coverage.