Every year, Marijke Stob has at least two doctor’s appointments – checkups that regularly include computed tomography (CT) scans, colonoscopies and bloodwork.

Stob had hardly seen the inside of a doctor’s office just a few years ago. Finding out she had colon cancer in 2023, however, changed everything. Stob underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatment, which successfully removed the cancer. Now, she’s on a strict schedule to monitor her body in case the cancer returns. Only recently did her number of appointments drop from four to two per year.

“I eat my vegetables and exercise, but my body decided to turn on me,” Stob said. “Now, I have to deal with that for the rest of my life.”

A self-employed seamstress, Stob’s insurance plan has a low premium and is subsidized with tax credits thr

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