Yesterday, I had the honor of having coffee with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss affordable healthcare and how it’s affected my life.

Being a member of MomsRising, I was extended an invitation to meet with Vice President Biden and some extraordinary women to discuss healthcare issues, the good and the bad, he wanted to hear it all.

My story is personal. When my daughter Delaney was a freshman in high school, she became ill. Six months (and 20 pounds lost by my daughter) later, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I’ve always had the security of having health insurance through my employer, which did cover the health care bills that were rolling in due to Delaney’s illness. Despite being covered, I couldn’t help but think about long term coverage when it came to Delaney’s condition. This was a pre existing condition and the Affordable Care Act had not been passed yet.

What if it didn't get passed, how would my daughter and my family take care of her needs in the future once she was no longer eligible to be on my health insurance? The cost of the medication alone for Crohn’s Disease is $200 per prescription, how would a young woman, fresh out of college handle an expense like that? I was terrified for her future living with a disease that would allow an insurance company to deny her coverage!

The piece of mind I had when the Affordable Care Act was passed cannot be expressed!

I was able to tell my story and show my gratification to Vice President Biden.  I had so much more to tell (time ran out on us) on how the Affordable Care Act has helped my family! How my son, who broke his hand when he was 25, was covered under my insurance. This saved him from going into financial debt as he is still in college working on his getting his Ph.D. And how, as young mother, I would have loved to have been able to stay home with my children for at least a year, but that wasn't an option, because I had to go back to work to pay for health insurance.

The Affordable Care Act allows moms, who might want to take a year off to stay home with their babies, to afford health insurance that would cover them and their families. Who knows, maybe my daughter or daughter-in-law, if they so choose, can take advantage of that in the future. The option is there and that is wonderful!!

I also would like to take a moment to acknowledge the work of the other women who also were able to meet with Vice President Biden. I was humbled to be at the same table with them. Their stories were amazing. They work tirelessly to help get people enrolled--some who have never been able to afford health insurance in the past. As Vice President Biden told them “You are doing God’s work”.  They truly are and making a difference in people’s lives!