Shelby and Cystic Fibrosis

I have a chronic illness called cystic fibrosis. As a result, two weeks ago I was admitted into UAB's Spain Wallace Hospital for an exacerbation of a cystic fibrosis related lung infection. During this time I have been receiving IV antibiotics. Today, February 20th, is my last day for this particular admission. While finishing my last treatment I was watching YouTube videos. Before one video started YouTube showed me a campaign add for Senator Richard Shelby. The add was a white middle class Alabama mother who had a child with cystic fibrosis telling me how much Senator Shelby has done for children with CF. As a CF patient this greatly bothered me.

Last I heard he keeps voting against the Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare), which, without that act, I, a 26 year old with cystic fibrosis, could not have a private health insurance plan due to a preexisting condition. Additionally, last I heard he is fighting against medicaid expansion in the state which is VITAL for low-income cystic fibrosis patients.

Not to mention, where is he in scolding Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama who has not only canceled their platinum plan, which I had last year, but has also stopped covering two FDA approved drugs for no reason that are vital to cystic fibrosis patients daily health. The next best health insurance plan, Gold, increases all of my out of pocket expenses by 100%, and the monthly premium is the same as the platinum plan was. Where is Richard Shelby in putting legislation forward to decrease pharmaceutical prices? If y'all saw the profit margin of some of these cystic fibrosis medicines you would faint.

Last I checked he votes against any environmental reform, meanwhile Birmingham is ranked in the top 10 in the nation in air pollution. Meanwhile my doctors tell me that up to 20% of the health problems in my lungs could be related to the air pollution in Birmingham.

Where does he stand on increasing and expanding disability welfare? Without an expansion of that many low income cystic fibrosis patients who can't work can't get the resources they need to buy groceries or housing.

Senator Richard Shelby is hurting people with cystic fibrosis every day with his policies. Richard Shelby is killing cystic fibrosis patients with his policies. Richard Shelby's policies are killing me!

‪#‎RevolutionNow‬ ‪#‎NoJusticeNoPeace‬