Milford Mental Health Counselor Receives Letter of Thanks From President Obama

MILFORD, CT — As the country deals with the uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act under President Donald Trump, a Milford Licensed Professional Counselor received a letter of thanks from President Barack Obama before the 44th President left office.

Lisa Taylor-Austin, owner of The Taylor-Austin Group, LLC, work counsels people with pre-existing medical/mental health conditions, and has served the greater Milford area as a mental health counselor since 2002.

"This law has always been about freeing Americans from the fear that one illness or injury could cost you everything it took a lifetime to build," wrote Obama. "We have more to do to get there, and I am going to keep pushing every day to ensure this law works for everyone."

Taylor-Austin supports coverage for all Americans with pre-existing mental health conditions, she says. Prior to the ACA, "those with pre-existing conditions were not eligible for medical insurance (if it was not through a large group employer contract) and many lost their insurance due to having a pre-existing condition. Thousands of people nationwide, died, because they could not receive the treatments they needed."

"Some mental health medications cost hundreds and thousands of dollars per month," added Taylor-Austin in statement. "The majority of CT residents cannot afford to pay for these out of pocket. Prior to the ACA, intensive outpatient programs were not covered by insurance and people were left with medical bills in the thousands of dollars. Bankruptcy and losing their home was their only recourse to pay the bills.” Insurance that does not punish those with pre-existing conditions is important.

"I am honored President Obama wrote to me before leaving office. The ACA is important to him, and I am happy he acknowledged my work helping members of the community," Ms. Taylor-Austin said.

For more information about the Taylor-Austin Group, LLC, visit the website at: www.thetayloraustingroup.com

Photo: President Barack Obama