UPDATE: Viral SC Eye Site Crowdfund Guy Finally Sees Light – Now Rebuffs GOP, Embraces Obamacare
You remember Luis Lang, a lifelong Republican who recently found himself in a dire medical situation. In February, he was diagnosed with severe complications from untreated diabetes which could cost him his eyesight. He had never taken out a health insurance policy, being self-employed, and scoffed at “ObamaCare”. He was denied coverage, applying after the enrollment deadline. Mr. Lang even went so far as to blame President Obama and Congressional Democrats for passing such a complicated and flawed law. As a resident of South Carolina, he was not eligible for Medicaid either. South Carolina is one of the 21 state that refused federal funds for expansion. His wife Mary Lang told the Charlotte Observe: “(My husband) should be at the front of the line because he doesn’t work and because he has medical issues, We call it the Not Fair Health Care Act.”
After seeking help through several charities that work with diabetes and blindness, he hit more dead ends. “I’m either too young or too old,” said Lang. He then launched a GoFundMe.com page. crowdfunding for medical expenses. Thanks to the “liberal media” Mr.Lang, 49, became a viral sensation. As of this May 19, his page has raised over $22 thousand toward his goal of $30 thousand. The large majority of the donations were given by progressive liberals who had heard about his plight via social media. Many of the donors also took the opportunity to educate Mr. Lang about the American Healthcare Act – some politely, some in a more critical tone.
In a recent interview with ThinkProgress, Lang joked that he might be the most hated Republican in the country right now. He also said that, thanks in part to a flood of media attention that led him to learn more about health care policy, he doesn’t identify with the GOP anymore.
“Now that I’m looking at what each party represents, my wife and I are both saying — hey, we’re not Republicans!” Lang said.
Mr. Lang also said that he wants to rip up his voter registration card on national television so Americans will have proof that he’s making the switch.
Although the original article in the Charlotte Observer positioned Lang against the ACA, he insists he has never been completely opposed to the law. He has, like many Americans, had trouble navigating the site and understanding the intricacies of the law. Lang was also frustrated by long wait times and technological glitches. He admitted to ThinkProgress that, as the law is currently written, it’s too difficult for him to predict his annual income as a self-employed contractor, which is what prevented him from signing up for a plan during previous enrollment periods. He was too nervous about underestimating his income during the enrollment process and skeptical that he would have to pay back his subsidy.
Lang’s main complaint, however, is the coverage gap. When the Supreme Court ruled that Medicaid expansion should be optional, state by state, it gave Republican lawmakers the opportunity to refuse to implement the expansion. Their short-sighted action has prevented millions of Americans from obtaining affordable insurance, or any insurance whatsoever. Mr. Lang now falls into that gap.
“I put the blame on everyone — Republican and Democrat. But I do mainly blame Republicans for their pigheadedness,” Lang said. “They’re blocking policies that could help everyone. I’m in the situation I’m in because they chose not to expand Medicaid for political reasons. And I know I’m not the only one.”
That brings us back to Mr. Lang’s GoFundMe page and the multitude of comments he has received. He seems to be taking it all in stride and is learning along the way. He even says he plans to be first in line to sign up for coverage during the next enrollment period.
Mr. Lang also stated that he has always tried to take responsibility for his own bills, but now he believes that the United States should move toward a universal health care system. He also stated that he “one hundred percent agrees” with those who posted on his crowdfunding site that health care is a human right.
Including Mr. Lang, that makes two in the past month. Not too shabby. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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