Access to comprehensive health insurance is crucial for many individuals, particularly those facing serious health challenges. Brittanny Groover Dilliner, a survivor of Stage 3 melanoma, underscored this reality in a recent letter, highlighting the vital role that health insurance played in her recovery. Dilliner emphasized that without her health coverage, she would not have been able to afford the lifesaving treatments that allowed her to overcome cancer.
Impact of Health Insurance on Patient Care
Dilliner described how her health insurance enabled her to receive essential screenings, immunotherapy, and surgeries that were critical in removing cancer that had been spreading within her body. Affordable health insurance not only provided access to necessary medical care but also ensured that she could continue taking prescribed medications, which allowed her to maintain her work and responsibilities to her family during her treatment.
For Dilliner, the difference between having health insurance and not having it was stark. She stated, “It can mean the difference between life and death. In my case, it did.” Her experience highlights the broader implications of health insurance accessibility, especially for those undergoing cancer treatment.
Amid growing concerns about the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits in Pennie, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, Dilliner voiced her worries about the potential impact on individuals who depend on these credits to afford their coverage. She pointed out that many residents rely on these financial supports to secure necessary health insurance, particularly as the costs for 2026 health insurance plans are projected to rise significantly if Congress fails to act.
Call to Action for Congress
Dilliner urged Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick to collaborate with his colleagues in Congress to extend these crucial tax credits. She emphasized that if action is not taken, hardworking individuals in Pennsylvania will face untenable choices regarding their healthcare. “We all know what this would mean for a cancer patient in active treatment,” Dilliner warned. “We can’t let this happen.”
The expiration of these tax credits could force many patients to compromise their health in order to manage escalating costs. Dilliner’s appeal serves as a reminder of the critical importance of health insurance in safeguarding not only individual health but also the well-being of families navigating serious medical challenges.
As the deadline approaches, the call for legislative action grows more urgent, with many individuals looking to their representatives for support in ensuring that affordable health coverage remains accessible.
