I slept three hours last night, spending the rest worrying about what Obamacare repeal would mean to my family. I cannot believe Sen. Susan Collins will vote for repeal without adequate replacement if the effects are given a human face. So here’s our story.

My husband and I have been comfortably middle class for most of our lives, remaining so in retirement because of Medicare, Social Security and Obamacare. Our savings from over 40 years of work equals less than two months’ pay for 1 percenters, largely because our daughter is a childhood cancer survivor.

Paying for her treatment wasn’t difficult: My husband’s job provided insurance. But caring for her affected my employment. Then, upon college graduation, our daughter could no longer remain on our plan. Because of her pre-existing condition, private insurance costs $800 a month. She chose self-employment in a profession paid in joy all around rather than big bucks.

Wanting to risk neither her health nor future coverage by allowing her insurance to lapse, we helped her keep it rather than save for our retirement. She assumed financial responsibility for her insurance only when first Dirigo Health and then Obamacare made it affordable. Finally, we were able to save for and then retire.

Our daughter is now an established musician performing on, composing for and teaching her chosen instrument. Her students love her. Artists with whom she performs enjoy the collaboration, and audiences applaud them. No virtuoso, she fills an important niche, earning enough to keep a roof overhead, food on the table and bills paid.

What part of the American Dream dictates that someone who has triumphed over three bouts of life-threatening illness must forsake her profession to maintain essential health care – or that, to keep her insured, her 70-year-old parents must leave retirement and worthwhile volunteer work for the menial jobs open to them?

Pamela B. Blake

Freeport

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