Reply #2: As a person in his forties with a pre-existing condition, I was finally able to get near full

[4lbs]

coverage from a private insurer for a reasonable monthly premium.

It costs me $226 a month for 90% coverage, and prescription drugs cost only $20 for generic or $40 for name brand. Lifetime coverage up to $5 million in health costs.

Before this year, I was denied three times in as many years in getting private insurance. I had to go with my state's major medical risk program, and paid $400 a month for only 75% coverage and a lifetime limit of $3 million.

If I didn't have a pre-existing condition, my monthly premium for my age bracket would be $160.

Yes, that is a difference of $66 per month for someone with a pre-existing condition, but consider that before the healthcare plan, I would have been, and have been, 3 times, flatly denied.

Is it perfect? No, in a perfect world, the monthly premium would be significantly less, for at least 85% coverage, and no difference for people with pre-existing conditions. However, we don't live in a perfect world.

I consider now being able to get much better coverage, for a person with a pre-existing condition, for much less monthly cost, a significant change for the better.

As the years go by, it will improve, unless the American populace is stupid enough to put Republicans back in charge of all three branches again.