San Diego

Locals Express Concern Over Potential Repeal of Obamacare

Republicans have already taken the first steps in the process to repeal Obamacare but they have not yet introduced a replacement plan

As Republicans get closer to repealing the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare without a replacement plan in place, some San Diegans worry for their own health coverage.

A new study by the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan group, showed that without Obamacare, 18 million people could lose coverage in one year. That number could increase to 32 million people in a decade and insurance premiums may also double.

NBC 7 spoke to Cynthia Provenzano who told us she suffers from chronic pain and is currently covered under Obamacare.

โ€œIโ€™ve had chronic pain for the last 17 years and I can't really work,โ€ she said.

Like many who use Obamacare, Provenzano said she worries about paying for treatment if it is repealed, since she sees a doctor about once a week.

John Lethin, with Community Health Imaging Centers said getting rid of Obamacare without a replacement would be a disaster.

โ€œThese people need the services,โ€ he said.

But he added that there is room for improvement.

โ€œIt's not a perfect system. I have seen and I have heard about the increase in the premiums. They sign on and itโ€™s very affordable and a year later these rates are astronomical,โ€ Lethin said.

Others also worried about how the repeal will affect insurance companies or coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions.

Republicans said they plan to keep that provision so no one with a pre-existing condition can be denied insurance.

โ€œThe system needs to be refined ,โ€ Lethin said. โ€œHopefully the can find something that's going to work for everyone.โ€

Republicans have already taken the first steps in the process to repeal Obamacare but they have not yet introduced a replacement plan.

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