ACA stressing out nonfull-time workers

I am writing regard to the Affordable Care Act. I currently am a substitute teacher in a suburban school district. There is absolutely nothing I would rather do than help students build a solid foundation on which they can build their adult lives. I work daily as a substitute and do odd jobs to make ends meet.

Just recently, I received an email from the district office about how they are only allowing a limited amount of hours for substitutes to work (27) due to different regulations in regards to the ACA.

To go along with that, because I am not technically a “full-time” employee, I am not offered benefits, so I purchase my own health insurance. With the plan that I have, I was able to receive a heart procedure to make my daily life a lot easier. Now, I am being forced out of the plan that I like. I find it very hypocritical that we were promised “if you like your plan, you can keep your plan.”

To make matters worse, the plans are more expensive. I am only 29 years old and am unable to save money for a potential family because my cost of living is skyrocketing and I live paycheck to paycheck. How is any of this fair and just to the average person who does not want to rely on an already debt-ridden government to help? I do not see how it is any easier for saving for a family, purchasing a home, paying off college loans and living the American dream if we are being handcuffed by a government that we are supposed to be proud of and inspired by.

Bruce W. Males

Elk Grove Village