My wife and I spent so much time wondering whether or not we go to the doctor. even if we have a pain, because we know that this trip to the doctor ends up in a number of bills that we are drowning in debt. Although I have coverage for myself and my family by the company I work, but is not anough. Here at this point the cure is more painful than the disease. Thank you.

I have many friends and family members without insurance because of the high cost. Their health care costs are significant and completely ridiculous as health insurance companies profits increase exponentially. Everyone in this country deserves high quality and affordable health care. The numbers of uninsured Americans continues to increase and we sit back and do nothing. To me, this is unexcusable and totally unfortunate. Something needs to change.

I know so many self employed individuals who make and honest living and pray they don;t get sick. It is ridiculous that we are the most wealthy country in the world and we are constantly crippled by increased healthcare costs. I stand with you President Obama and vow to help in whatever way I can.

My mother whom is disable is and her plan is too expensive. She has medications that exceed her income's potential. She has to sacrifice medications that can can't afford. Sometimes ther is no generic. I also has an aunt , and a cousin in a similar situation.

Please pass thiss bill. Last year I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. After receiving a nephrectomy and associated treatments for this disease my family and I were bombarded with the astronomical cost for services rendered. I thank God that we were able to squeak by, but I often wonder what others are doing that are less fortunate than I. Please work hard to reform our health care system so that every American can receive the treatment they need. Thank you in advance!

I work full-time as a registered nurse. I pay $800.32 a month for family coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC. I believe this is extremely high for group health care. Many of the employees at my place of work do not have any health care coverage due to the cost. Also, as a past employee of a large hospital I saw many issues with the very poor and the unfairness of unaffordable health care. Many patients would be unable to afford medication to manage their illnesses. They would then end up in the emergency room and be admitted to the... (more)

Soon after my husband became unemployed and our insurance ran out, I suffered a triple fracture from a fall. I waited three days to have surgery and even before surgery, while in great pain, was grilled about insurance and 'how will I pay for this'. We paid over $20,000 out of pocket and it nearly destroyed our way of life. Treatment was not humane. I've lived in Europe and know I would not have been asked for a payment plan before treatment. I want a single-payer health care plan, like most Americans! I want the health care our elected... (more)

My former employer filed for bankruptcy and I took on the task of caring for my two elderly parents in the interim. Because they were of the "Greatest Generation" they denied themselves and saved and

I have young kids and no health care. We can't afford coverage and even minimal coverage is out of our price range. We pay roughly $400 a month just for my twin daughters medications. We can't afford to pay another $600 for medical coverage that would not even affect the cost of their medications as none of the plans would cover their meds as a pre-existing condition. Please nationalize healthcare

I am a single woman and self employed. Health Insurance costs me over $400 a month, At $60 years of age, I can't afford it, but I can't afford not to have it either. It is pathetic that this country is so run by greed and profit that most of the citizens have to suffer.

I am an American who moved to Canada in 1987. I have experienced Canadian health care for my family and have found it to be an incredibly positive, receptive, and reassuring experience. Universal health care is an intrinsic aspect of the Canadian identity and a value that we hold dearly. It creates the possibility of equity for all citizens that is inclusive and equitable for all.

I take care of my mentally retarded sister. She has medicare but I do not have health care because I cannot afford it. If I get sick someone will have to take care of my sister.Care takers for the state charge way more than what it would cost to give me health insurance. I wish I could afford to move to Norway or Canada where they treat their citizens with dignity, respect and health care. There is no such thing as the "American Dream" it is a total farce.

My grandmother has suffered from serious sinus pressure most of her life. We live in PR. Thanks to my parents private health insurance I was able to go to a really good doctor that took care of my sinus and asthma problem. But because my grandmother's medicare doesnt allow her to go to that good doctor, she had to go to this cheap doctor that manages a pharmacy at the sametime that he attends patienties. The office was so dark we could bearly see walls, and he didnt have a real medical room or equipment, he sat her in a garden plastic... (more)

Story #1: My husband became self-employed about 10 years ago. At that time we applied for health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield and some other companies. We were declined by all; Blue Cross said they would only insure our 7 year old son. We are a healthy family with no heart disease, no diabetes,no smoking etc, no illness in general, and at the time we were in our 40's. We were shocked to be turned down and felt helpless. We were never told the reason of the rejection but industry insiders speculated that my anti-anxiety meds or my... (more)

I am a disabled veteran with a wife and two teenage daughters about to graduate fron high school.The cost of health care is as high as a house payment.We can't afford the coverage for our family because the premium increases in cost each year.Instead of being labeled a do nothing congress why not finally do something to help your fellow citizens have a healther life? JIMMY GRAHAM

Up until recently, I had good and affordable health care coverage through my work. I was laid off a few months ago and can't afford cobra or other health care programs. So I, like many others, have decided to take my chances without health insurance. I am young still, but I do worry what would happen were I to get in an accident. I find it a gross injustice that as a citizen of one of the richest nations in the world I would have to worry about such things!!

My son is 21. He lost his job. I cannot find insurance for him that gives coverage for his treatment of anxiety and depression. I'm afraid that without treament he will commit suicide or deal with his problems with illegal drugs. We have no options! I'm desperate.

I've been a single parent for 20 years and am so concerned about the rising cost of health care. Fortunately, my employer does offer a good health care plan. However, the employee out-of-pocket costs continues to increase significantly. Also, our retirement package does not include employer paid health care coverage. At age 54, I constantly worry that I'll ever be able to retire. This is not the American dream. Not having affordable "Quality" health care has stiffled creativity in this country. I know several single parents that... (more)

I am a diabetic. For years (when ever my employer did not offer health care benefits) I was unable to afford the care required of diabetics. Now I am disabled due to artery disease. I wonder, at times, if I had been able to afford to see a doctor on a regular basis if I would be where I am now, unable to work.

This is about my Uncle Jim Lowe, 53 years old, he's too proud to tell his story so I'm doing it. About 10 years ago while working in a mill in Seneca SC, he injured his back. He was sent to the company doctor, who prescribed pain medicine but no treatment for the injury. He continued working for a few years, taking the company prescribed pain medicine. Then the mill closed and he still had a back injury which had gotten worse over the years, and now no health insurance. He had one surgery where some bone was cleaned away from his spine, that... (more)