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Crowd of 400 attend Obamacare forum in Centerville

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday evening for a forum discussing the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.

The event in support of the ACA, also known as Obamacare, was held at Cline Elementary School in Centerville.

Ella Bowman, now 13, shared her story about being diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer, when she was 7.

Her mother, Colleen Bowman, said her daughter had to have four surgeries, including reconstructive surgery and involved painful skin grafts.

“I had to stay in a cool, dark room and I wan’t allowed to run around,” Ella Bowman said. “I just had to stay in bed and a chair and I wasn’t allowed to have fun with my friends.”

Ella is now 13 and cancer-free. However, after a melanoma diagnosis she requires annual dermatology screens for the rest of her life. She said the ACA protects her, giving her health care coverage even with what would have been considered an insurable pre-existing condition.

“I’ve been writing letters to our state representatives or congressmen, and our senators trying to get my voice heard,” she said.

Ella’s voice garnered a standing ovation at Saturday’s forum.

Colleen Bowman said she wants lawmakers to know what Obamacare means to their family before changing or repealing it.

“It helps people with pre-existing conditions. It helps medical (coverage payment) caps; both of my children would have  hit medical caps before they hit 18,” she said. Financially, that a huge deal to have to worry about when you’re already dealing with a stressful situation with children you have with existing conditions.”

Lynn Buffington, one of the event organizers, said doctors have seen benefits for their patients since the ACA was enacted.

“One of the doctors that works at the community  health center said before the Affordable Care Act, 40 percent of their patients did not have insurance and now only six percent lack insurance,” she said.

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