I have run my own construction business for 12 years, though it would have been longer than that if I had not faced the barrier of unaffordable, quality health insurance coverage.

The lack of meaningful policies for a working class budget made me hesitate many years before taking the leap to independence and self-responsibility. After taking the leap, I was underinsured — at great risk to my health, family and home for years.

When I heard about the health insurance marketplace, mandated under the Affordable Care Act, I was hopeful for positive change.

If everyone gets in the game and pays a fair share, according to each person’s ability, there will be more money in the pot, more people will get care sooner, less people will search out care when they are sicker and more expensive to treat and, thus, our society will benefit.

Like the conservative German chancellor said 121 years ago, healthy people can work harder.

So many people were interested in the marketplaces that many of the websites were not up to the task initially. But I was able to get a plan and haven’t had trouble with the site, either last year or when I re-enrolled this past December.

Participating in a plan protected me from unexpected, devastating expenses and lowered my costs for tests.

The truth is, however much we try, we can’t predict the future and we cannot control everything that happens to us. That is why the ACA and the health insurance marketplace is a step in the right direction for American health care.

Ken Voorhees, Litchfield

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