On Feb. 6, Chad Riedy, an adult with cystic fibrosis and volunteer national advocacy co-chair for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, appeared before the U.S. House of Representatives' Education & Labor Committee to share his story about life with CF and discuss the significance of pre-existing condition protections.
This committee's first hearing of the 116th Congress, “Examining Threats to Workers with Preexisting Conditions,” focused on the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on employer-sponsored insurance. Riedy advocated for critical health care protections such as the ban on annual and lifetime coverage caps, limits on out-of-pocket expenses, and the option for young people to stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26.
“I am here today with hope for the future -- a future where I grow old with my wife and see my kids grow up, graduate college, get married, and start families of their own. This is all because of the access that I have had to adequate and affordable coverage and the protections that the ACA has provided,” said Riedy. “I am not asking you to take care of me, as I am already doing that myself. I understand that the law is not perfect, but the protections it contains are critical to me and millions of other Americans with pre-existing conditions.”
Other panelists included Sabrina Corlette, JD, research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University; Dr. Rahul Gupta, chief medical and health officer at the March of Dimes; and Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. To learn more about the hearing or view a webcast of the event, visit the Education & Labor website.
Riedy's testimony is an example of the importance of people with cystic fibrosis and their loved ones telling their story about life with CF. Share your story today!