Meet Victoria Baldassano
SEIU Local 500
"My name is Victoria Baldassano, and I teach English part time at Montgomery College. Adjunct professors teach up to 50 percent of all classes at the college but we receive much less pay than our full-time counterparts, and we have no benefits other than one sick day per semester. We do not even have the option of buying into one of the comprehensive healthcare insurance plans enjoyed by other teachers. These unequal working conditions motivated me to join with my colleagues in uniting with SEIU.
"I am also the mother of a young man with mild autism and learning disabilities and have found it difficult to find and maintain good health coverage for everyone in my family. Ironically, our healthcare system seems designed to marginalize those who most urgently need care.
"Until recently, I had coverage under COBRA at over $600 per month. Once that expired, I tried to get coverage through a national association but they ultimately refused to provide coverage for a "pre-existing condition." Fortunately, because of my low income, I was able to find coverage at $357 per month under the Maryland Health Insurance Plan.
"I am very thankful that President Obama and Congress have decided to finally address the broken health insurance system. Health coverage changes drastically from one employer to another, without regard for a patient's needs or situation. We need a far-reaching solution for all Americans."
How reform will help Victoria and her family
Victoria would have new options for affordable coverage under both the House and the Senate bills, with the House bill offering her the most affordable options.
With an annual income of approximately $25,000 per year, Victoria's premiums would not exceed $137 per month, saving her a minimum of $220 per month and her annual out-of-pocket costs would be limited to $2,000. Under the Senate bill, Victoria would spend $146 per month for premiums, and her out-of-pocket costs would be capped below $3,000 per year.
Victoria's son is currently insured under his father's policy. Under both the House and Senate bills, children could continue to be covered under their parents' plans up to age 26 (Senate) or 27 (House), regardless of whether they were full-time students. In addition, as her son gets older, Victoria can have the peace of mind that he will qualify for coverage either under Medicaid or in the insurance exchange.
