Healthcare Voices: The story of Blanca Fabian

Interview conducted January 24, 2017

Everyone Needs Affordable Health Insurance, Because Life Happens

Thankfully, she rarely needs to visit a doctor outside of routine well exams and health screenings. Still, when her husband retired last year, causing Blanca to lose her insurance, she knew she had to purchase health coverage for herself.

“You never know what could happen. Everyone needs insurance,” believes Blanca.

Employed by a small company that is not required to offer insurance to its employees, Blanca turned to New York State’s health insurance exchange for an affordable plan. And with the help of navigator Luz Arbiza, who works for the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, an agency that provides enrollment assistance on behalf of the state, she found one. Blanca pays $207.55 for a Silver metal plan.

Blanca, 60 years old, says she plans on working for as long as she can. She expresses sympathy for working families who can’t afford to buy insurance on their own.

“If Obamacare is repealed, it is going to be terrible for people who do not have the money to pay for insurance. They will get sick and be afraid to go to the doctor because of the bill,” says Blanca.

Her message to Congress: “Do not end Obamacare unless you have another plan in place. Everyone’s life is so different.”