People With Pre-existing Conditions Tweet #the27percent to Highlight Insurance Challenges

On Wednesday, Atul Gawande, M.D., a respected surgeon, author and the executive director of Ariadne Labs, shared a tweet highlighting the loss of coverage 52 million young Americans would face should the pre-existing conditions mandate of the Affordable Care Act be repealed.

My son: One of #the27percent under 65 w/ pre-existing conditions making them uninsurable in nongroup market w/o ACA https://t.co/W7LfjDgHmL

— Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) December 14, 2016

The statistic — 27 percent of Americans under the age of 65 living with a chronic health condition — comes from a new Kaiser Family Foundation research analysis, highlighting the number of Americans who would be uninsurable if they lost healthcare coverage and had to reapply. Gawande’s tweet, highlighting the health challenges of his 21-year-old son, sparked a conversation among the disability and chronic illness communities on Twitter. #The27Percent shows those Americans, who, without insurance coverage, could lose control of manageable but life-threatening illnesses, potentially going bankrupt in the process.         

I’m one of #the27percent. I’m 36 years old & was diagnosed w/ Multiple Sclerosis in 2007, @ age 27. I rely on #ACA to live. @Atul_Gawande — #ShenequeProctor (@VSouza_STL) December 16, 2016

I am one of #the27Percent. Metastatic #breastcancer definitely pre existing condition. Without protection of ACA, I’d die broke & on streets — Uppity Cancer Pt (@UppityCancerP) December 15, 2016

I’m one of #the27percent: Hodgkin’s disease at age 23. Been in remission for almost 15 yrs but still uninsurable without ACA.

— Sarah Lee (@SarahatSLAR) December 15, 2016

W/ insurance, I am almost symptom-free & on my way to finishing med school. W/out I would be filing for disability. #the27percent

— Juliana (@julieb42) December 15, 2016

I had Hodgkin lymphoma, and need survivorship care, like scans and anxiety meds. I’d be uninsurable without ACA @Atul_Gawande#the27percent

— Jordan Eschler (@eschles) December 15, 2016

“I hadn’t intended to start anything with this,” Gawande told Stat. “But I guess what I hope and expect is that we can continue to make clear the names and faces and voices that this policy effects.”

Are you part of the 27 percent? Let us know how losing insurance coverage would affect you in the comments below.