Mary Lou Retton's health insurance explanation sparks some mental gymnastics [View all]

Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton spoke out last week on the NBC Today show about what she said was a rare pneumonia that almost killed her and resulted in an expensive, monthlong hospital stay.

It was a shocking reveal. One key comment jumped out for those who follow health policy: Retton said she was uninsured, blaming that lack of coverage on 30 orthopedic surgeries that count as "preexisting conditions," a divorce and her poor finances.

"I just couldn't afford it," Retton told host Hoda Kotb, who did not challenge the assertion.

Retton, who after winning the gold medal in 1984 became a well-known figure — "America's sweetheart," appearing on Wheaties boxes and claiming a variety of other endorsements — did not provide details of her income, the illness, the hospital where she was treated or the type of insurance she was seeking, so it's hard to nail down specifics.

Nonetheless, her situation can be informative because the reasons she cited for not buying coverage — preexisting conditions and cost — are among the things the Affordable Care Act directly addresses.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/12/1224435556/mary-lou-rettons-health-insurance-explanation-sparks-some-mental-gymnastics

It's entirely possible that she either fell into some gap, or had poor advice.