The Republican plan for Kentucky health care is exactly zero. Are you better off? | Opinion

My sister died of cancer back about five years ago, and for her, it was a battle she bravely waged on two fronts.

Her struggles were, first, to just stay alive, and next to be able to afford having cancer in the United States of America. She knew her cancer was not curable, and she needed to stay alive long enough that hopefully something would come along that would save her. But would she be able to hold out and pay for it?

She endured years of treatments that wracked her body and her finances. At the time, thankfully, there were provisions in the Affordable Care Act that required insurance companies to treat pre-existing conditions.

At one of her treatments, she asked what would happen if the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as many chose to call it, was repealed, because at that time, there was a tremendous push in the U.S. Congress by the Republicans to do just that.

She was told that she would have to pay the approximately $40,000 per month that her treatments cost. Yes, that figure was $40,000 for each monthly treatment!

My sister knew she probably would not beat her cancer, and one thing she was determined to do was leave something to her children when the time came. She did everything in her power to not have to sell her property to get by, and thankfully, she ended up getting on Social Security Disability. This at least helped relieve her mind that she would not have to sell everything she owned just to survive.

But now, our Republican Congress and President have finally achieved their goal and have removed the subsidies that helped keep insurance premiums affordable for families that pay for their own insurance policies.

Another of my sisters, also impacted by cancer, now pays nearly $2,000 a month for her family policy, along with enormous out-of-pocket expenses. Very few people in Kentucky can afford that, but most of the people we have elected to represent us in Washington seem to think they can.

Republicans have offered little that would effectively replace the ACA and give people like my sisters more than one-time payments or other short-term fixes. They seem to want insurance companies to be in control of the process, and that is exactly what is happening.

Our Kentucky Republican Congressional delegation, (minus Representative Massie and Senator Paul, who both cited the impact on the federal deficit as their reason) supported this, and they are all running for their current or higher offices. Thankfully, the alarm that has been raised has them at least talking about what could be done.

Hospitals in Kentucky will be closing because Republicans are slashing Medicaid payments. The political genius behind this is that the cuts will come after the upcoming midterm elections next year.

Kentucky hospitals rely heavily on government payments for Medicaid recipients to stay open. There is no question that rural hospitals will close. And, if payments for private insurance policies get high enough, those people will be forced to drop their insurance and just go to hospitals and say, “Ok, treat me. I can’t pay, but I will sue you if you don’t.”

Then those hospitals will be faced with closing as well. Folks, this is the plan that our current leaders have for us.

You can say all you want about Democrats, but they try to keep healthcare something that the average person can afford. Think about it.

Jerry Deaton of Frankfort is a retired lobbyist for Kentucky cities and a former legislative employee.