• Name: Alan Meeks, 45
• Residence: Orlando, Fla.
• Job: Systems engineer

My last job had benefits, but required me to travel 75% of the time. What allowed me to take this job is the existence of the Affordable Care Act. The current company I work for is akin to contracting work. You are a little better paid, but you don't have any benefits.

Both myself and my partner have pre-existing conditions. He has a heart condition and takes 14 drugs a day. I had a benign brain tumor and have to be checked with an MRI every two years.

I logged into healthcare.gov and looked at all the options. Using the site was a breeze. We chose a platinum version. Together we'll be paying $770 a month with zero deductible and a maximum out-of-pocket of $2,000 for each of us. At my previous job, I was paying almost the same but the deductible was almost $8,000. And all our doctors are in the plan.

Now, I don't feel like I'm constrained. Health benefits is not a deciding factor for where I work anymore. It gives me more freedom to do what I want professionally.

NEXT: No longer terrified of costs