Nobody could be denied health care before the ACA either. It was just the matter of the health insurance games when it came to pre-existing conditions, if one had to be re-insured; but it was available and for cheaper than under the ACA.
Exactly. If you had continuous insurance, you were covered. I know. Or if you had a break in insurance you had to wait a period of time. Prevented not carrying insurance then suddenly demanding coverage because of an emergency.