Melissa Ackison spent her birthday at the White House discussing the impact of the Affordable Care Act on her family. When Vice President Mike Pence learned it was her birthday, he presented her with cupcakes and sang to her. Above, Ackison, center, and her husband, Rich Ackison, pose with Pence on Monday.
(Photo submitted)
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Ackisons speak with VP Pence about ACA woes
Melissa Ackison spent her birthday a familiar home, but not her own. This house belonged to the President of the United States.
Ackison and her husband, Rich, were at the White House in Washington D.C. Monday at the invitation of Vice President Mike Pence.
“It was pretty overwhelming,” the Marysville woman said. “It was an amazing experience.”
The Ackisons and other families were meeting with Pence and other officials to discuss the impact of the Affordable Care Act. Pence called the Ackisons and other families “victims of Obamacare.”
The couple owns Ackison Surveying LLC. Melissa said she has a rare bone condition and her 8-year-old son has had medical concerns for years. Melissa said that under the Affordable Care Act the family has struggled to keep insurance plans and providers.
A video of the gathering shows Pence telling the group he was “grateful you have taken time to be here.”
After Ackison shared her story with the group, Pence told the family how much he appreciated them coming to Washington.
“Thank you for helping to tell the story of this failed policy and the urgent need for congress to act and act soon to give the American people the health care they deserve,” Pence said.
The vice president asked the Ackisons to give his gratitude to their son, Nathan, in the Army.
Melissa said she originally thought the phone call and invitation from the White House was a joke by her son or a friend.
“They said, ‘no’ – they were with the White House,” Melissa said. “When they started quoting things from the letter I sent to Senator (Rob) Portman, I knew this was for real.”
Melissa said officials were surprised by her initial response.
“The first time they contacted us, I turned them down,” Melissa said.
She explained she had planned a family vacation to Florida to coincide with her birthday and anniversary.
“We knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Melissa said. “We knew it was the best opportunity to serve my country, but my family came first.”
She said eventually officials at the White House called again and offered to fly the couple from Florida to the White House and back.
“We left our vacation, left our children with my mom in Florida and we said, ‘this is our story and people need to hear it,’” Melissa said.
She said White House officials vetted her story and cleared her of any security risks.
“That whole process was pretty surreal,” Melissa said.
Interacting with politicians is not new for Melissa. She said that in addition to writing Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown, she has spoken several times with local State Rep. Dorothy Pelanda and the heads of several state agencies about a number of concerns. She encourages others to contact their elected officials often and share thoughts and concerns.
“That’s how people can effect change,” Melissa said.
The vice president said the timing of couple’s trip to Washington, reinforced the gravity of the health care situation.
“The fact that you are here on your birthday and your anniversary, I hope tells anyone looking in how important this is and what a hardship this is on your family,” Pence said.
However, the local woman did not leave the White House without a present. The vice president sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and even gave her cupcakes.
“I was crying,” said Ackison.