Dear Mr. President,

I don't have a real horror story to tell other than the fact that I have been twice hospitalized for major depression and now am locked into a Blue Cross Blue Shield Policy that costs $5000 a year and has a $10,000 deductible. A few years ago I paid $4000 out of pocket for a colonoscopy; two years ago over $2500 for a mammogram and sono gram that I KNEW were unnecessary but, the doctor insisted (to cover herself from a possible lawsuit I am sure).
I have finally solved my health problems. Guess how? I moved to Italy, where I was entitled to citizenship. It took six grueling years to get it, but it was worth every minute. The health care here is top notch (I know because I grew up in a medical family)and for the most part, free. The hospitals aren't glamourous (nobody's playing the piano in the lobby like they do at Dartmouth Hitchcock) and the doctor's offices are very simple, but all the equipment is State of the Art. Furthermore there was a recent scare that doctors would be required to turn in illegal immigrants who came to them. But the proposed law was voted down. Two weeks later I saw a notice in the doctor's office in both Italian and English telling people not to be afraid of being deported for coming to the doctor. Italians have the humanity thing down. All that screaming from the right and the AMA about long lines, delayed services, and blah, blah blah? They're just trying to scare the wits out of everyone because they're scared of losing the goose that lays golden eggs. I miss the States at times and I certainly miss my family and my friends. But no way am I coming back unless and until there's a radical change. Mr. President? Yes We Can!