In the past few years, I have made multiple choices about my career (start-up vs. job) based on the expense and availability of healthcare. I have also watched as a family WITH COVERAGE we know has been virtually bankrupted by cancer.

I am 62 yrs old, worked since I was 15, and now am taking care of my 97 yr old mom. Just at the age when I might start needing a medical care cushion, I can no longer afford one, despite having paid into health care systems for almost 50 years!

My wife is now on MediCare and faces many difficult decisions. She has to choose between treatments that our budget can afford and cannot get all the treatment she needs. She is also faced with a limited choice in health care providers that will honor MediCare.

I am a single mother with an eight-year-old daughter. I am a self-employed graphic designer and have been having trouble finding work. I had to stop my payments for health care because I can't afford it. Please help reform health care so that I can afford it and I won't have to rely on the government to foot the bill.

WE NEED TO COMPLETELY GET RID OF 'MANAGED CARE'

Even though I have been a Registered Nurse since 1994, I have not had consistent health care coverage due to the spotty benefits offered in the course of employment. We really do need coverage options for all. We also need recipients to have to make responsible choices to qualify, i.e. People who choose to smoke should not have oxygen paid for by the taxpayers. Those who choose to extend their life and are over a certain age, should not have tax payer supported dialysis. We cannot support every option for everybody. We are totally missing out... (more)

I was born with a form of Spina Bifida called myelomeningocele, a pre existing condition. If not for Medicaid I would not have health care, I work two jobs and still wouldn't have enough to pay for health care under the current system.

ok, so here are a few examples of why we badly need healthcare reform. 1. a few years ago, i had to have my appendix removed in an emergency surgery. I was inside the hospital for less than 24 hours. i had no insurance of any kind. i got a bill for over $8000 for those few hours in the ER, plus separate bills from the actual Dr's office, and radiology....thats insane!!! 2. i have recently been approved for medicaid again....i lost my job and home in the beginning of april....so went back to social services for help....they gave me a four... (more)

As a mental health care professional I have witnessed first hand how changes in health care damage the poor. It seems that every one goes after the providers and the patients to find the missing dollars - there is the assumption that health care providers are providing wasteful over inflated services but who pays for the cuts in the end, the poor who have no say in what procedure an administrator trying to save money wants to cut this year. Look at who is profiting from health care - can't we have the courage to change this broken system... (more)

It has been so hard to provide quality health care for my kids and me on a continuous basis. If one cannot qualify for Medicaid, or afford private insurance, then you find yourself at the ER too late, using overpriced medical care that you can't pay for, then your credit is ruined. And don't even think about dental care. It is very sad to see twenty year old young adults having their teeth pulled because they cant stand the pain or afford proper dental care. Its a mess. I will do anything to help the cause and improve the system.

I have one burning question for you Mr President. Why is an entire industry allowed to profit in excess on the misfortunes of others, some in gross excess? Simply said, I support single-payer insurance. I understand the virtues of baby steps but would prefer to cut to the chase in this case. I lost my job due to an unexpected work injury. I was promptly laid-off as a result of this injury. Now that my worker's comp insurance has ended and because I am collecting $220 a week in unemployment benefits, I am not eligible for Medicaid and my wife... (more)

While I am now fortunate enough to have an employer sponsored health care plan, my cost share is overwhelming. As a single Mother who receives no child support, I must say that if affordable health care is not offered to those in my situation, other areas like adequate shelter, adequate food and clothing will start to become "luxury items" for us. It is absolutely heartbreaking to think of the choices I may be forced to make in the future.

I work in the health care industry every day almost, and health care workers are over worked, and over 1/2 of the people I know which have lost jobs can not afford health care and they come to me, I give them my advise however I also tell them I am not a doctor, I do this on my own time when I do not work 10-12 hours per day. We need a better system so everyone can come in, and not have people like I know that rely on my 2 cents calling thier sprang or strain which might be something a lot wrost.

I am twenty-five years old and a recent college graduate. I work in the hospitality industry as a server in a locally owned independent restaurant in Asheville, NC-a small city with a very tourist driven economy. I cannot afford health care (premiums for someone my age in good health are almost $300 a month, that's 20% of my monthly income) and like most service jobs, my job does not offer benefits. If something were to happen to me I would not be able to pay my medical bills, my credit would be ruined, and the health care available to me... (more)

I lost my beloved son to our terrible system last year. He had no insurance and so couldn't get diagnostic tests for his cancer until it was too late to save his life. Several times, his doctors wrote, "Patient needs a colonoscopy but can't afford one." By the time he gopt help, he was in renal failure and vomiting fecal matter. He didn't matter to the system because he didn't have insurance or money. He mattered to me, though, and to the rest of his family and friends. He was one of 30,000 people who died in the last year simply... (more)

I have not been publicly employeed for 4 years. i was injured on the job and terminated because I now longer could do the job I was assigned. Since then, I have had to rely on public assistance. I thank God for Medicaid. Without it, I would not have been able to have the four surgeries I had. Nor would I have been able to afford my medicine. I work for a neighbor, that like me, just needs a litle help from her friends. I get $316 a month child support and average $300.00+/- a month. Thank God my home is paid for and my car. I am tired of... (more)

Fourteen years ago when I turned 30 my health went from excellent to a 10 percent chance survival rate. The doctors gave me 72 hours to live because my body stopped producing the natural prednisone hormone and I was stricken with a blood disorder,heart disease and I had four young children I supported a raised on my own. Four years ago I fell threw a floor due to the negligence of a landlord who would not up keep the property and now I spend most all my time in bed because of the pain and my legs go out from under me. I am completely disabled... (more)

I worked 25 years with in libraries for the state of North Carolina with the promise of health care coverage when I retired. My salary was never above 30,000 but I worked with the promise of health care coverage when I retired. Now, BCBS is cutting coverage, my out of pocket is skyrocketing and drug co- pays are getting too high with my retiremnet income and I teach as an adjunct for a Community College. In March the BCBS in NC was going bankrupt, I doubt that. They are cutting service and hiking costs to us. Why is this not fraud? Was this... (more)

I am one of few still living with Erb's Palsy acquired at birth. The nerves in the brachial plexus(network of nerves in the shoulder between the neck and armpit)were damaged, leaving me with joint freeze, joint contractures,and limitations in everyday life. My work history is inconsistent because of this injury, which means living in financial fear. I've only been seen by my family physician, never by an Erb's Palsy specialist because there are none in NC. I hope this will change soon.

I have been suffering with Hepatitis C, for the past (9) nine years, I was in the Dental Field, for the most part of my young life. Thats where I contacted HCV. The Medical system has turn their back on my as well as the disability. I now know this is a form to Control the Population of our country and it sadden me. The Disability system is BROKEN, and waiting (2) years for my money almost killed me, this is how D.A. control. they hope you die before you can collect your money, how sad is that! There is a better way Mr. Congressman,... (more)