If you're like me, you might be wondering where that kid that stood there when President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law is today.
Owens' story touched Senator Patty Murray so much she shared it with President Obama. Owens' mother lost her job because she missed too much work due to her pulmonary hypertension. Then she lost her health insurance, and ultimately, her life.
In 2009-2010, Owens was an ardent advocate for the Affordable Care Act, and he's not much different today. Here he is speaking in 2010:
"I am here because of my mom," said Owens. "My mom was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2006. She missed so much work she lost her job. And when my mom lost her job, she lost her health care. And losing her health care ended up costing her her life."
He continued, "I don't want any other kids to go through the pain that our family has gone through. My grandma and I want Barack Obama and Congress and everybody to come together and to help get the health care bill passed."
Now he's 16. His voice is deeper, and he's a little more thoughtful, but no less passionate. When asked by Wagner how he felt about all of the threats to kill the ACA, repeal it, or otherwise take healthcare away from people, Owens said, "The bottom line is that people deserve health care, and health care is a basic human right."
"I don't know why people would fight against something that essentially is going to be saving people," Marcelas concluded.
And that, folks, is a true pro-life person. I see great things in Marcelas' future.
