Letter: Protect Those with Pre-Existing Conditions

Three of my five grandchildren have pre-existing conditions. I want them to have long, happy lives — and that requires quality and accessible healthcare. I want this not only for my grandchildren but for everyone in our state. According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, approximately 5.4 million Pennsylvanians have pre-existing conditions.

I met Marc Friedenberg two years ago when we were fighting for the right of Pennsylvanians to have affordable, accessible healthcare. As I worked alongside Marc, I found him to be a compassionate, smart man, knowledgeable about healthcare and insurance.

Under current law, health insurance companies cannot refuse coverage or charge people more because they have pre-existing conditions, but current Republican proposals would strip these protections and add annual and lifetime limits. Legislators also propose cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Marc Friedenberg is an advocate for these programs, so seniors and the disabled can afford premiums and have access to care.

Pennsylvania should not have thousands of uninsured people, those struggling to afford their prescription medications, and families impoverished by medical debt. Marc is not a professional politician. He is not beholden to PACs and health-industry donors. Marc Friedenberg, Democratic candidate, will fight to protect the residents of the 12th Congressional District from having their healthcare snatched away.

Marc believes healthcare is a human right. Don’t you?

I urge you to vote for Marc Friedenberg in the special election on May 21st.

Leah W. Witzig