Chenoa

I found out about the Affordable Care Act while I was volunteering at Planned Parenthood. I was so excited because the new law meant I would be able to have health insurance again.

Several years ago, I moved to Texas because of a job relocation. I thought I’d had a stable position and that I would have steady income and health care coverage. But all that changed: my hours decreased, my pay went down, and I lost my health insurance. It was an unexpected change that could happen to anyone.

I wasn’t making enough to money to afford insurance, so basically I started neglecting my own medical conditions, including my asthma. Everything had to come to a stop because I had no other options. I had to take creative risks so that I could breathe. I resorted to over-the-counter remedies, and I even had to use my friends’ expired, second-hand inhalers.

I’ve always admired Planned Parenthood’s commitment to ensuring everyone has access to affordable and quality health care. But coming to Texas, I realized that I need to do more than just be a supporter. Health care in Texas is politicized; you can’t just stand by and watch as our access is taken away—you have to get involved. There’s so much at stake. So I started volunteering and supporting candidates like Wendy Davis who are committed to protecting reproductive and sexual health care.

I found out about the Affordable Care Act while I was volunteering at Planned Parenthood. I was so excited because the new law meant I would be able to have health insurance again. It was very easy to enroll online, and I was able to find a perfect plan that fits my needs and my budget — and I can use it at Planned Parenthood.

I’m definitely staying with Planned Parenthood, even though I have a choice, because I get the most compassionate and knowledgeable care there. I don’t want to go anywhere else.