Massachusetts Action Center

"Health care reform saved my life."  - Ken Brynildsen

Ken, 65, is a Cape Cod resident who runs his own art business.  He is also a colon cancer survivor who feels lucky to have access to the care he needs to beat his disease.

For years, Ken had health insurance through his employer.  When the company downsized, he purchased a policy on his own but over time the premiums kept increasing until it was no longer affordable.  By 2004, Ken was self-employed, had little income, and no health insurance.  He began having gastrointestinal symptoms that he ignored for 3 years because he knew he could not afford the cost of doctor’s visits, diagnostic screenings, or possible treatments. 

In 2006, the Massachusetts Health Reform law passed and required all Massachusetts residents to purchase health insurance.  The law put new options in place for adequate health care coverage for individuals at various income levels.  Ken applied and was enrolled in Commonwealth Care, which now offered an affordable option that had not been available to him before.  

Once insured, Ken scheduled a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer.  He had surgery in May 2008 followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  Ken is nearing the end of his treatment and his latest scan showed no signs of cancer. 

If Ken had remained uninsured this outcome would likely be very different.  Massachusetts Health Reform got Ken the care he needed.  Health Care Reform saves lives.

 
Ken has partnered with ACS CAN to share his story with others around the state.  View the ad or find it in the Boston Metro, Cape Cod Times, Lowell Sun, and Worcester Telegram & Gazette.