Local cancer survivor upset over passage of Obamacare repeal

President Donald Trump celebrated after House Republicans repealed the Affordable Care Act and replaced it with their American Health Care Act

“This is a great plan. I actually think it will get even better. And make no mistake, this is a repeal and replace of Obamacare, make no mistake,” the president said

But local 14-year breast cancer survivor Eunice Hostetter is worried, “I have to tell you that I'm almost as upset as the day that I was told I have cancer.”

That's because the Obamacare repeal will let insurance companies charge a lot more for pre-existing conditions, if individual states allow.

“We currently lose over half a million Americans every year to cancer. Without affordable, adequate health care, I think that number is only going to grow,” Hostetter said.

Republicans added $8 billion to help those with pre-existing conditions -- but critics say that's far from enough.

More than 130 million Americans "with those pre-existing conditions will suffer,” said Seattle Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.

Now cancer free, Hostetter helps cancer survivors and their families as state leader of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

“The last thing that cancer patients need to worry about is having health care coverage and the potential of bankruptcy, which in the past has been the situation for many cancer patients,” she said.

Western Washington Republicans Jaime Herrera-Buetler and Dave Reichert voted against the bill even though Reichert got a sales pitch fromTrump himself.

Now the bill goes to the Senate where it's not likely to survive in its current form.

Cox Media Group