I am writing to echo Debbie Butler’s letter about the Affordable Care Act published in the April 8 Beachcomber (“Act has not worked well for all”).

I, too, am a Washington state enrollee and am grateful for the attempt by the U.S. government to address the problems of our health care system. I, too, found it easy to sign up and was awarded an income-based subsidy that was within my ability to pay, though on the high side. My premium was about the same as I had paid the previous year for a private plan. But then I saw the cost was going to rise considerably for 2015 and, the worst shock, I underestimated our income for 2014 so must pay back some of the subsidy: several hundred dollars we don’t have.

I am used to getting money back from the Earned Income Credit. This money has helped my family immensely over the years to pay for dentists, eye doctors, glasses, other health care not covered by insurance, car repairs, computers (used) and sometimes even a camping vacation to visit family. It has also been enough to pay my self-employment taxes for over 10 years.

A complaint I have that was not mentioned is that the premiums are just too high (even with the subsidy) for lower-income working or fixed-income people who don’t qualify for Medicaid. I don’t fault the government for this; I fault the insurance companies. Rates went up after the ACA passed, such that subsidies were necessary to keep the cost the same. This year the premiums have increased again. Perhaps there should be some regulation of premiums.

I don’t have more of an answer, but there never will be one if those in power who benefit are allowed free reign to exploit those who need, and are now required to use, their services.

— Laurel Boyajian