I know many people who make less than optimal career decisions based on their fear of losing affordable health care. In my opinion, we could drastically improve the U.S. economy in the long term by fixing our broken health care system.

I have good Health care but I know of a lot of people who don't. They should have as good health care as people who work in the government. Shirley

I went to law school and thought I was healthy. I opted to save 1600 bucks a year by not getting heath insurance. 3 weeks into the year, my appendix became inflammed and I had it removed. It cost 23 thousand dollars. Bill collectors, public aid, and a whole bunch of hoops were what I had to put up with when I should have been studying. I still don't have health insurance, nor have I been to a doctor in years because I can't afford it, and I can't afford to find out what they may tell me.

My husband is on Medicare, but I am not yet. Everytime I have a test done or see a doctor, I am calling up to dispute one thing or another with the private insurance company. There is always something wrong with the claim. This has not happened with Medicare for 3 years. I am so sick of fighting with for-profit companies. PUBLIC OPTION or NO REFORM AT ALL. We would have this if insurance hadn't bought the congress.

My husband's company was forced to close after 127 years of service. He was unable to find another job, thus he ran out of health insurance. We applied to many, many health insurance companies for coverage, but were unable to find coverage for him even though his health was pretty good. Thank goodness that I was able to get him on my insurance although we pay almost $1000 each month. That amount is Dave's entire Social Security check each month. We have 2.5 years more of this until we reach Medicare age so we are definitely biting the... (more)

When my husband retired his parting gift from the company was the cancellation of his health insurance. Cobra in the state of IL. was almost $800 a month, roughly a third of our income. He was too young for Medicare. We both had health issues that precluded us getting a private policy. Fortunately for us I had gotten my education while in my 30's (after our 4 children were school age) thankfully owing to our junior college and was able to enjoy a career as an R.N. But alas I couldn't enjoy a health plan or a decent retirement salary even... (more)

My best friend, Niky, has been on Illinois Public Aid (Medicaid) for a number of years. She has gone on and off over the years as she has earned income to leave and obtain her own employer healthcare and added members of her family that required her to return to the Medicaid system to help her family though as she continued her full time employment. Many peopl have a misconception that people on Medicaid are unemployed and don't want to work. This is not the case. My friend Niky has had a number of unfortunate health problems. She has... (more)

i'm in my 30's now and though i've been lucky so far, i know that i will need health care in the future. just the freedom from the stress of needing and not being able to afford health care would probably help me and everyone live longer more productive lives. health care is a personal issue of course, but i will share that i have a small lesion on my skin that i think should be looked at by a doctor... unfortunately i don't have health coverage and so the cost is still prohibitive. i know sooner is better than later though as taking care... (more)

As a family of six, we have relied on state for medical coverage for many years on and off. Being able to do so has made our lives incredibly less stressful and healthy. We aren't just feeding off the system because we are lazy or unambitious. As couple we have worked very hard to put my husband through medical school and now residency while raising a family. Something that is special about our family being on a state supported medical plan is that we utilize health care in preventive and proactive ways. We have been able to build... (more)

I am a critical care RN and many of my patients are critically ill due to lack of affordable, accessible and quality health care. We are living in America and it is devastating to see poor quality health due to lack of insurance/healthcare (e.g Patient waited 9 years and end up having emergency surgery after his health status and the outcome of the surgery is complicated). I believe this real health care reform with three core prinicples will ultimately insure quality of life for all Americans.

HC Costs likely affect everything from personal and gov't budgets, taxes and broader availability. I've worked in a hospital emergency room, have a degree in Bio-Medical Engineering, have close relatives who are Dr.s, nurses, in pharmacy. I know we have talented, dedicated people in medical care in the US, and I'm proud to be an American, but you look at the overall health care level that other countries are beginning to be able to provide, and you see we are falling behind, in affordability and availability and yes, even level of care. When... (more)

My family and I have had too many times in our lives when we went without healthcare because we couldn't afford it. My parents have had a lot of health issues over the years and I firmly believe that if they could've gotten quality, affordable healthcare they would be in better health today. When, out of absolute necessity, they did see healthcare they have paid on it for years. They don't take their medicine like they should - they take less than prescribed to make it last longer. They don't eat as healthy as they could because they have... (more)

I have no health care and cannot afford health care. I have been unemployed since 07/08 and prior to that my cost of my employers insurance was more than I could afford.

I won't make this long because I really could go on and on about how screwed up this country's heathcare system is. In short, I've been in nursing school for the past two years. During this time my husband and I have not been able to afford health insurance since I have been unable to work full time. We have been struggling trying to make ends meet w/ two kids and still we are not eligable for public aid because we make to much. We made $36,000 in 2008. Luckily we have all been healthy and had no trips to the ER but I worry everyday that... (more)

I AM A RETIRED UAW MEMBER FROM CATERPILLER TRACTOR COMPANY. MY RATES AND CO-PAY HAS TRIPPELED SINCE I RETIRED, JUST SIX YEARS AGO. I CANT AFFORD MUCH MORE---MONEY IS RUNNING SHORT.

My daughter who usually works two jobs still does not have access to health insurance. This is a travesty to me. She cannot qualify for assistance since she works. It is pretty sad when people who work to take care of their children cannot get afford any kind of private health insurance. I am also for a single payer insurance plan.

I am the Executive Director of Project HEALTH, a national organization that works in hospitals and clinics in low-income communities to provide intensive case management services to vulnerable families. I direct the Chicago site of Project HEALTH (there are five other sites on the East Coast). Our clients have little to no access to primary care and will often visit the Emergency Room, once their conditions are exacerbated. The South Side of Chicago needs more primary care providers for low-income residents. Thank you, Vanessa Askot

I paid a high price for my health ins for a number of years and that was only for me. When I found out I was pregnant with triplets(natural triplets) I couldn't afford the premiums for the family option. Luckily Illinois had the Family Care program which allowed us to have coverage, but I know a number of people who are not as fortunate as we are. I have friends and family who are going without health insurance right now because they cannot afford the premiums. I also know people without insurance who should be going to the doctor for certain... (more)

I always had health insurance until I lost my job in 2006 when our entire office in Peoria, Illinois was closed. I was able to continue COBRA coverage and now have CHIP coverage through the State of Illinois, which I am very grateful for. However, COBRA was expensive and CHIP even more expensive--$785 a month. It will be difficult for me to maintain that as I am now self employed. Plus many people cannot pay those kinds of premiums at all. I am 55 years old and using my retirement funds to supplement my income to pay for the insurance and... (more)

I don't think it makes sense that our health care coverage should be tied into our jobs. I have been unemployed at various times in the past nine years and luckily, only for a few months at a time, due to layoffs. However, it is all but impossible for an unemployed person to afford COBRA coverage. It would cost $1,000 or more per month for family coverage--hardly affordable when one is unemployed. My husband had a heart attack back in December. Luckily, we had medical coverage through the job I started in October. If we had to rely on Medicare... (more)