Joe Cuhaj
On Monday, October 19 Sentor Doug Jones Deputy Press Secretary, Claire Bickerson submitted a an Op-Ed by Joe Cuhaj, a freelance writer living in Alabama, who penned this piece about health care and COVID-19 following Doug’s virtual event last week with Alabamians whose health care is under threat.
“Dear Editor,
The COVID-19 pandemic has really brought to light one glaring issue this political season that is unavoidable – people are panicking about their health care. As the unemployment rate continues to rise, more and more Alabamians and Americans are losing their insurance benefits, making health care a top priority on November 3rd.
As the virus continues to spread around the world, I find it unimaginable that any politician or candidate for elected office would attempt to repeal current insurance law, leaving the masses in limbo. But, unfortunately, that is what Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville is proposing. On his website, he says “Obamacare must go. This failed experiment has led to higher costs, less quality care, and a system that hurts patients and doctors.” He believes in a “free-market” where insurance companies compete for your business.
Think back 12 years ago. How did that free-market system work out for you? Insurance rates for businesses and individuals were exorbitant, drug prices were through the roof, and insurance companies could write you off if you had a pre-existing condition.
Tuberville has stated that he believes in the pre-existing condition mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but not once has he commented on the fact that a case brought about by the Trump administration could rip this mandate out of the ACA and virtually kill Obamacare, returning us to the hands of insurance companies where it would be put-up or hit-the-road.
That’s why I am urging all Alabamians to vote for Doug Jones. Senator Jones has been championing for better health care for all Americans since before he was elected in 2018, because he believes that all Americans are entitled to quality and affordable healthcare.
When Senator Jones took his seat in the nation’s capital, the first bill he cosponsored was one to protect and fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program was set to expire in 2017, but Senator Jones helped get it passed and the CHIP program is now protecting over 150,000 Alabama children through 2028.
More recently, Senator Jones co-sponsored a bill that would require insurance companies to cover COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. The price tag on such vaccines could otherwise be cost prohibitive to most of us in Alabama.
And there’s more. Senator Jones helped pass the COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, adding additional resources for hospitals. He introduced a bill to reset the clock and allow Alabama to finally take advantage of the Medicaid expansion that the ACA offered and provide health care to over 300,000 Alabamians. He has been very vocal about protecting the pre-existing condition mandate in the ACA that, if repealed, would leave almost 1 million Alabamians with pre-existing conditions crushing under doctor and hospital bills.
I have been blessed to work for an employer that provides its employees with the best health care possible. Sadly, that is not the case for millions of others in this state and that is why I am urging all of you to seriously consider and vote to re-elect Senator Doug Jones as if your life depends on it.
It just might.
Joe Cuhaj Daphne, AL”
