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ACA rally held in Fort Dodge Sunday

About 40 attend event in City Square Park

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Kim Motl, of Fort Dodge, displays her sign protesting the repal of the Affordable Care Act at a Webster County Democrats rally held at City Square Park in Fort Dodge Sunday afternoon.

FORT DODGE – J.J. Jacobs, of Fort Dodge, credits the Affordable Care Act for helping her receive the medical treatment she needed at the age of 24.

Jacobs was diagnosed with a condition that rendered her disabled in 2012, she said.

“I was told I could no longer work, but because part of the Affordable Care Act stated that I could stay on my dad’s insurance until I was 26, I was able to remain covered until I became eligible for Medicaid.”

Jacobs said without the insurance, the medication and treatments she required would have cost her $4,000 out of pocket.

As Republicans inch closer to repealing the Affordable Care Act, citizens like Jacobs are worried about the future of health care in America.

On Sunday, Jacobs along with Webster County Democrats staged a rally in downtown Fort Dodge at City Square Park voicing their displeasure.

About 40 people attended.

Similar rallies are being held throughout the country, according to published news reports.

“We are protesting to show that dismantling the Affordable Care Act is not for the will of the people,” Jacobs said. “I think everyone should have access to decent health care.”

President-elect Donald Trump has said he will repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act — one of President Barack Obama’s largest undertakings.

“I think that for the 30 million or so people that rely on the Affordable Care Act, it has to be terrifying for them, because one day they could have health insurance and the next day be completely gone and they would be left without any options,” Jacobs said.

She is particularly concerned with young people who are going through college or are in between jobs.

“I think the fact that people who have pre-existing conditions don’t have to worry about getting denied coverage for getting health care,” Jacobs said. “Young people, if they can’t get a job right away, or if they are pursuing a degree in graduate school, they can stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26.”

Kim Motl, of Fort Dodge, was also on hand for the protest.

Motl doesn’t think the whole bill should be tossed out.

“I am upset,” she said. “This affects people I love. The bill is not perfect, but you don’t throw 20 million people under the bus.”

Later, Motl helped rally the Affordable Care Act supporters.

“We stand today and we march today to tell Steve King that it is not OK to let people die,” Motl said.

U.S. Rep. Steve King has previously said that he is looking forward to the Affordable Care Act being completely repealed.

In its place, King is proposing to make all health insurance premiums 100 percent deductible on federal income taxes, allow health insurance to be sold across state lines, and increase the amount that can be contributed yearly to health savings accounts.

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