Portsmouth cancer survivor invited to State of the Union

Carrigan Nelson, 18, is receiving coverage for treatment through Affordable Care Act

Posted 1/28/20

PORTSMOUTH — If you watch President Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 4, you may spot a familiar face in the crowd.

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Portsmouth cancer survivor invited to State of the Union

Carrigan Nelson, 18, is receiving coverage for treatment through Affordable Care Act

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — If you watch President Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 4, you may spot a familiar face in the crowd.

Eighteen-year-old Carrigan Nelson of Portsmouth, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer last year, will be there as the invited guest of U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline.

Her presence will serve as a reminder, Congressman Cicilline said, of the need to protect the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, under which Ms. Nelson receives coverage. She now faces the possibility of losing that coverage if a lawsuit by President Trump’s administration succeeds, he said.

“Facing a cancer diagnosis just weeks after my 18th birthday was devastating,” said Ms. Nelson. “A month before my chemotherapy ended, my mother lost her employer-sponsored health coverage because she was not covered by the Family Medical Leave Act.”

Her mother, Tammy, contacted Congressman Cicilline’s office in December 2019 after being told her daughter was no longer insured for a series of important tests she would need. 

Congressman Cicilline’s office was able to coordinate with state agencies to resolve the issue with Carrigan’s enrollment status. Next month, when Carrigan turns 19, she will be able to continue her treatment as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, according to Congressman Cicilline.

“Thankfully, with the help of Congressman Cicilline's office, I was able to obtain health care through the Affordable Care Act and complete my treatment plan, which included critical post-chemotherapy scans,” Ms. Nelson said. “I am happy to report I am cancer-free and am extremely grateful for the work of Congressman Cicilline and his office. I am looking forward to attending this year’s State of the Union as his guest, and highlighting the importance of access to quality, affordable health care."

The family’s access to health care, however, could be eliminated if the Trump administration gets its way, according to Congressman Cicilline. 

During his first two years in office, President Trump worked with Republican majorities in the House and Senate to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, including the weakening of protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Although these efforts failed in large part due to public outrage, the president directed the Justice Department to go to court to overturn the ACA and eliminate protections for folks with pre-existing conditions, he said.

If the administration succeeds, 130 million people with pre-existing conditions like Ms. Nelson’s will lose protections, he said. Federal funding for the Medicaid expansion that she will rely on this year will also be eliminated, as will bans on lifetime and annual health care coverage, the congressman said.

“I’m honored to be bringing such a brave, inspiring young woman to this year’s State of the Union,” said Congressman Cicilline. “Carrigan has demonstrated a level of grace and courage beyond her years. Her story is an inspiration to us all. It’s also a reminder of why we must protect the benefits the Affordable Care Act provides, especially protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.”

Congressman Cicilline said he has worked with colleagues to strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions and bring down health care and prescription drug costs. 

The Rhode Island congressman joined every Democrat and five Republicans in passing the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act (H.R.987) last May. 

“Like most bills passed by the House, however, this bipartisan proposal is still sitting on (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell’s desk,” a press release from Congressman Cicilline’s office stated.

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