Why Nurse Vicki Neumeier supports the law: "I have seen people die for lack of healthcare"

As Supreme Court justices listened to arguments on the Affordable Care Act last week, SEIU nurses and healthcare providers gathered outside the court to show solidarity and support for the landmark legislation.

Vicki Neumeier, an 1199SEIUNW Endoscopy Nurse from Seattle, Washington, was one of the SEIU RNs who made the trip.

"I came last week because for 37 years as a nurse, I have seen people die for lack of healthcare and I have been working all of my life to see that this country catches up with the rest of the developed world and has a universal healthcare system. I think the Affordable Care is a step in the right direction, it isn't a finished product by any means, but it is a place to start and we can improve it as time goes on.

The best thing about the law is that when you get sick your insurance company cannot throw you off the policy. My impression of today is that the law is still controversial, but that is because people don't really know what is in it. Those who oppose the law attract a lot of attention so I can see why they get the spotlight on TV, but a lot of what they say doesn't add up or make sense. I think when people learn more, it will be less controversial and people will appreciate it more.

"Going back to Seattle, I feel more of a duty to educate people about what is actually in the law because it is going to be important for people to understand. There is a special duty for healthcare workers--nurses and others who understand healthcare to make sure others understand what the law does.

"If voters don't know what is in the law, how can they make the right vote? With the election coming up, there is going to be a lot of talk about the law, people are going to be talking about "Obamacare" and we need make sure they understand it."

Join Vicki in the fight to protect and preserve the Affordable Care Act.