Bustos to Host Emily Carlson, Who Has Benefited Greatly from the Affordable Care Act, for President Trump’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., issued the following news release:

Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she has invited Emily Carlson - a native of Abingdon, Illinois - to join her for President Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday. Diagnosed 17 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Carlson has benefitted immensely from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and she and her family would be devastated by its repeal.

Prior to the ACA, Carlson often had to make a choice that no person should ever have to make - every month, she had to choose between sickness and medical debt because the cost of treating MS was too great. Sometimes, she would go months at a time without her medication. Carlson and her husband also had to put off growing their family because of the cost of their insurance. Because of the coverage she received under the ACA, Carlson could grow her family and no longer has to choose between sickness and debt.

"It's an honor to welcome Emily Carlson to the Capitol for President Trump's address, and I want to thank her for bravely sharing her story," Congresswoman Bustos said. "Before the Affordable Care Act, Emily was forced to choose between sickness and debt - a choice no American should ever have to make. We know that the Affordable Care Act isn't perfect, but it has made a tremendous difference for Emily and for millions of Americans who also have pre-existing conditions. President Trump wants to destroy our health care system, but he's refused to show us his replacement plan because it means raising taxes on working families, increasing premiums and denying coverage to hardworking small business owners like Emily. We need to keep what's working in health care and fix what's not, but that's not what the President has put forth. I hope President Trump will hear Emily's story and the stories of millions of Americans who want nothing more than to live a healthy life with the peace of mind that getting sick shouldn't mean going bankrupt."

"I'd like to thank Congresswoman Bustos for inviting me to Washington and giving me the opportunity to share my story," Emily Carlson said. "While it's not perfect, the Affordable Care Act has given me and my family stability and peace of mind. The insurance coverage we have for a family of four under the ACA is more comprehensive and costs slightly less than what one month's coverage in the state's high risk pool cost me prior to the ACA. President Trump's reckless repeal plan would mean chaos for me and my family - it would mean going back to the days where insurance companies could discriminate against me because I have MS. We need to fix what's broken with the Affordable Care Act, but for the sake of me and my family, let's not turn back the clock on the important progress we've made."

Last month, Congresswoman Bustos spoke about Emily Carlson's experience with the ACA at a press conference with House Democratic Leadership. You can listen to her remarks here at about the 20:45 mark.

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