Troy Protesters Worry About Life After Obamacare

TROY, MI — Roughly 100 people marched up and down Big Beaver Blvd. Monday, waving signs denouncing President Donald Trump and protesting the imminent repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly referred to as Obamacare. The group directed their efforts outside of the office of Republican U.S. Representative Dave Trott, located at 625 Big Beaver Blvd.

In recent days, President Trump and leading Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have vowed to so call "repeal and replace" the ACA with a new health insurance plan. In a statement to Patch, Rep. Trott said "Reforming our nation's healthcare system is about making healthcare work for every Michigander. I have heard from doctors, patients, and families from across my district about their struggle with dwindling coverage and skyrocketing costs. Restoring their, and all of my constituents', access to affordable, high quality care is my utmost priority." Regarding today's protest, Rep. Trott's Communications Director, Katie Vincentz, told Patch "This is democracy at work. Rep. Trott always welcomes and wants input from all of those he represents."

While details of the plan are still being hammered out and have yet to be revealed, the move has enraged many people across America, including those in Troy.

Marci Curtis, a Troy resident, revealed her family relies on the ACA. Her husband is a cancer survivor and she worries about what her two adult children (a 21-year-old and a 22-year-old) will do if they lose coverage. Curtis told Patch her family "would be in dire straits without it [ACA]."

Another protester, who didn't identify herself, said a big threat would be losing the ACA's individual mandate, which is a huge source of contention among critics as it requires every single person in America to have health health insurance or attempt to get an exemption, otherwise they face steep financial penalties ranging anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

"We need everyone to pay for it [the individual mandate] otherwise it's a sick pool and doesn't work," Curtis said.

When asked about Trump's upcoming health care insurance plan, the anonymous woman chimed in, "They [Republicans] don't care. They have their insurance."

One Troy mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she doesn't have insurance through the ACA but her adult son does. She told Patch he doesn't make a lot of money and she's concerned what he'll do without the ACA.

When asked why she was marching, she said, "Fear. He [President Trump] is demolishing our democracy. I like to support meetings like this and I'm scared about the ACA." The woman was dubious at the idea of Trump's upcoming health care insurance system. She told Patch, "Republicans have no understanding of the common person."

Another protester who wished to remain anonymous revealed she doesn't have health insurance through the ACA. However, she said, "It's not perfect but it's driving costs down. It's a trickle down effect."

Monday's protest was organized by two women who went by Mona and Lauren. They're affiliated with the group Organizing for Action. Speakers at the event urged protesters to next engage in a letter writing campaign to politicians.

Photos by Mera McKenna