Dear President Obama: With my 401(k) and IRA accounts dwindling as we speak, the future of our Social Security system disappearing, and the rising cost of health care, I'm extremely concerned about my ability to pay for my own insurance when I retire (I'm 61 and live alone). Sometimes I awake in the wee hours of the morning and start to worry about what's going to happen, and I can't go back to sleep. Then I have to get up and go to work. I've actually looked into moving to Canada, but a resident has to live there for 3 years before they... (more)

I just graduated from college. While a student, I was covered by the student plan; it runs out in August. I'm afraid I either won't be able to find coverage or, if I can, that I won't be able to afford it. Why am I concerned? Because I'm overweight. Even though my doctors say I do not have any weight-related illnesses, like high blood pressure or diabetes, I am actively working to lose weight in the hope I will be able to afford insurance. I could get insurance through my husband, unfortunately we can't afford the $500 in additional monthly... (more)

I am 76 years old, recently diagnosed with a return of breast cancer in the same breast. Had a mastectomy, one total knee replacement that failed and another to replace the failed one.....all within one year. I could not afford Femara the drug to treat this breast cancer. I would be in the douthnut hole six months into the year. The drug company, because we qualify, said they will help me. We also qualify for samples from my oncologist. My husband worked 38 years in chemistry for duPont. We put six kids through college, it is sad that the... (more)

I want to be able to choose my doctors

I am a college student that is almost 25. I just got laid off and will not have insurance my last semester of school. I will not be able to afford it because the costs of private insurance is just too high. I have asthma and even with insurance, I have had to pay over 100.00 dollars. In other words, I had to choose between my meds and gas. Something has got to change and you have my full support.

Losing affordable health care as a result of job loss is a constant source of anxiety. Quality health care should be available to all members of our society especially when they least afford it.

My healthcare plan is very expensive with high deductibles. The plan is way too expensive to cover my whole family so I just have single coverage.

For the past 8 years I have been an independent contractor without health care for me or my wife. Fortunately, we are both in good health but, a catastrophic illness or accident could ruin our lives in a second. Please provide an affordable plan for people like us that still have good health but need protection from a catastrophy.

I have never been without health care before because I always had a job with benefits. I am now un-employed and un-insured. No American should have to worry about health care in this country and it is time for our government to putting the people first. What happened to "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."

When my husband lost company health insurance, we found that due to his multiple health issues, he could only get insurance with the Inclusive Health policy offered by our state of NC. Premiums for his insurance are over $700 a month. I am older than my husband yet still one year away from being eligible for Medicare. Because of my age, finding health insurance for me would be almost as much as my husband's insurance and one insurance employee advised me to wait out that year uninsured. Our income is reduced because my husband is now... (more)

As things are at the present with us, (my wife and I,) it's the same as it is for the millions of others, we will have to chose between, making our house payment, or paying for grocery, or paying our insurance premium.

I HAVE HIGH CHOLESTROL AND HIGH SUGAR LIMITING ME TO THE BEST MEDICATION FOR MY NEEDS.SO I GET GENERIC BRANDS DUE TO MY HEALTH INSURANCE

It is 2009, and I live in the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the world. However, in the richest country in the world there are individuals, like my parents, whose deducticle is $5000/person or $10,000/family on a combined income of less then $50,000. They have to make a choice of going to the doctor or worrying about how to cover other expenses. Is that how one should live in America? Is it no wonder that we are one of the "sickest" countries in the world when individuals can't afford to see a physician to... (more)

In 2008 my husband was hospitalized six times in three different facilities. He had COPD and was on oxygen.A service in our town provided home visits with advice, exercise made sure he got the proper mediciation in the proper order. Hospice took over as his condition declined. I had full time job, but in June, 2008, I was permanently laid off. I had carried my husband's life insurance through my employer. I paid his premium but but was told to drop it. When I was terminated, my insurance was dropped. However, I had an accident at home... (more)

I'm all for the health care reform because I'm living proof. My husband works in auto body repair. He recently changed jobs because of pay cuts. The company does not help pay for our insurance. We have to pay $436.32 every two weeks. We can't afford paying almost $900.00 a month because we have bills. We have four little boys who need health insurance. We had this insurance for a month now and I had to have my husband cancel me off the insurance because they basically charge double with me on the policy. We had no other choice because trying... (more)

I haven't had health insurance since the 80's.I have health problems now that I'm getting older but don't have the money to see a doctor nor pay for the medicine.

I paid $500 amonth with a $2,500 deductible. Plus terrible coverage. As a single person it was the best I could find. Thank you for Medicare. It made me glad to get old!

I am a 63 1/2 year old that works a full-time job and probably will not be able to retire (period). I have had three heart valve replacements; the first when I was 31. I never realized how important insurance was until at a young age I was told I had a chronic illness. Who would have ever "thunk" it. I tried to get private insurance but was told that I had "a preexisting illness" and would be turned down or my costs would be very high for the preiums. So I stay working for company group insurance. HELPPPPP!!!!!! I am... (more)

My health care story is not unlike many Americans in our area, in our country today. First of all, I am a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration and Pre Law, and I have worked the last 16-17 years in the Utility Locate Industry until I lost my job recently. Through many ups and downs career wise, I have been able to provide for my family from a roof over our heads to insurance. In the last three years, I have had two mild heart attacks, that have left me in a situation to where I need medication to control... (more)

I'm part of a growing majority of young Americans without insurance. In fact, no one I know has it. We simply cannot afford the costs of our premiums, or if we can, the coverage compared to insurance caps and out of pocket costs is not worth the amount we pay a month - which is why I just let my insurance lapse. I simply go without and hope I won't have to visit the doctor for an illness. Check-ups and visits to the dentist are something I can't even imagine for me in the future even though I suffer from tooth pain daily. It seems so unfair... (more)