Natoma Canfield, Face Of Affordable Care Act In US Passes Away At 61

The face of the Affordable Care Act, Natoma Canfield, passed away on Friday. Canfield had gained recognition after her story and letter to the then US President Barack Obama played a pivotal role in shaping the Affordable Care Act.

A woman from the Medina Township, Natoma Canfield wrote a letter about the soaring health insurance premiums to the former US President Barack Obama on Dec. 29, 2009. In the letter, she mentioned her story which later became the driving force for passing the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

Canfield wrote about her battle with cancer and how her health insurance had sky-rocketed premiums. She mentioned how she had been cancer-free for more than 11-years and yet the premium rates continued to increase. Canfield described herself as a self-employed cleaning person and could no longer sustain herself due to the high premium rates. Canfield remained with same insurance provider wherein the rates were increased from 25% in 2009 to 40% in 2010.

She wrote in the letter, "Thanks to this incredible premium increase demanded by my insurance company, January will be my last month of insurance." She further wrote that she cannot afford to pay for her healthcare anymore.

Obama added that the letter has personal significance to him and he also framed the letter and hung it on the wall in the White House. He said after a U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling the ACA was constitutional, "I carried Natoma’s story with me every day of the fight to pass this law." He further added, "It reminded me of all the Americans, all across the country, who have had to worry not only about getting sick but about the cost of getting well."

The former US President Barack Obama shared the news of Canfield's demise on his social media handle. Canfield had visited the White House with her sister despite her persistent health issues.

By telling her story, Natoma Canfield helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. She was an inspiration to me and so many others, which is why her letter still hangs in my office. Michelle and I send our condolences to Natoma’s family. https://t.co/QwII5NNM4P

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 23, 2021