What will happen to the Affordable Care Act under President Donald Trump? | Opinion
Save the ACA
“Trumpism’s continued influence on American politics,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 5)
Now that Donald Trump is president elect, there is a possibility that the Affordable Care Act will be placed in jeopardy. My 64-year-old brother was forced to retire a year prior to being eligible for Medicare. He was employed in a physically strenuous, low-income job for 33 years. Now, he is in pain and needs several joint replacements. He is diabetic and has circulation issues. I urged him to apply for the ACA through a state plan in Pennsylvania.
He receives the highest level of coverage, which costs $1,400 a month. But thanks to the ACA, he only pays $377. He refused to go on disability because he wanted to contribute to his Social Security and 401K plans. There are millions of workers in the U.S. like him. I hope, for their sake, the ACA is still around for workers who need to retire early.
Without the ACA, my brother would be forced to pay $1,400 a month for private insurance — if they would even insure him.
Jane Hardin
Modesto
California’s irreparable divide
“Trump’s star rises as California shifts to political center. ‘Even progressives have limits’,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 10)
The outcome of the 2024 Election reveals an uncomfortable truth: The Golden State is irreparably divided.
California, like myriad states in our beleaguered Union, has a cultural fault line between virulently incongruent ideologies. Urban, coastal areas overwhelmingly supported Vice President Kamal Harris, whereas President-elect Donald Trump painted rural, inland California red. This societal rift will haunt the state for decades to come.
California’s disparate regions are mired in a loveless marriage. It is the political equivalent of the 1989 film “War of the Roses,” wherein two bitter spouses continue sharing their marital residence while undergoing brutal divorce proceedings. Spoiler alert: the movie does not have a happy ending.
Thankfully, there is a solution: Coastal and inland California should amicably divorce. While liberals maintain the coast, conservatives could establish a new state or merge with a neighboring state. People would still benefit from mutual commerce while discarding a failed political union.
Benjamin Holmes
La Mesa
History repeats itself
“We have now viewed first-hand how fascism rises to power in our own backyard | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 10)
Hitler started his hatred for Jews shortly after WWI. The Nazi movement took many years of hatred and lies before WWII fully broke out. My mother’s aunts and uncles were sent to Auschwitz by Mussolini in 1944 from the island of Rhodes because they were Jews. My grandfather emigrated to America in 1920 due to fears of the rhetoric spread by fascism.
Education is key to remembering what happened and how a possible repeat of a hateful period is planned for our future, ultimately threatening our democracy.
Rochelle Kirchner
Oceanside
Animal welfare
“Stanislaus animal shelter running out of space. How to help,” (sacbee.com, March 22)
Powerful, dry winds are increasing the risk of wildfires across California.
Now is an important time to assemble an emergency kit for yourself and for your pets. Kits for your animal companion should contain medications, medical records, food and bottled water. For cats, include litter and a litter box.
Plan to take animals with you in an evacuation. Keep dogs on a harness and leash, and carry cats or other small animals in secure carriers, as frightened animals may bolt. Additionally, make sure your animals are microchipped and wearing ID tags with your current contact information.
If authorities force you to evacuate without your animals, never leave them tied up or confined. Fire, smoke and falling debris can quickly turn deadly. Cut fences and open stalls to allow animals a fighting chance to escape if there’s absolutely no way to transport them to safety.
Please take the time to prepare today. Lives may depend on it tomorrow.
Melissa Rae Sanger
The PETA Foundation
Norfolk, VA
This story was originally published November 17, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What will happen to the Affordable Care Act under President Donald Trump? | Opinion."