Rocker Jessi Zazu's life depended on 2 things Congress wants to kill

Letter to the editor:

Earlier this week the Tennessean wrote about the tragic loss of indie rocker Jessi Zazu, co-founder of Those Darlins, at the very young age of 28.

Jessi died of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Jessi was one of my nephew’s closest friends. Their thing was music. Mine is public health.

By Jessi’s own account, the Affordable Care Act provided her access to the care she needed. She was just one of the 43 percent of musicians who lacked health insurance prior to the ACA, more than twice the rate among adults nationwide.

Related stories:

► Jessi Zazu, of Nashville indie rock pioneers Those Darlines, dies at 28

► Jessi Zazu was a fearless force in Nashville's rock scene

Jessi went to Planned Parenthood for health care services, like millions of others do every year. She previously sought care elsewhere but was unable to get appointments and a proper diagnosis. Planned Parenthood was there for her when other providers were not.

Two of Jessi’s most important tools in her fight against cervical cancer were two of the things that Congress is fighting so hard to take away from us — the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood. It is also worth noting that there is now a vaccine to protect against most of the cancers caused by HPV infection. Jessi was outspoken, passionate and inspirational. I hope others will continue to speak up and speak out for the throngs of musicians and Tennesseans who rely on care through ACA.

Erica Salem, Chicago, IL 60613