I'm a very lucky man. I'm 72 and have, and always have had, a combination of good health and sufficient insurance to meet my health care needs. But too many of my fellow Americans don't; so it's urgent business for me that Congress pass health care legislation that guarantees everyone good and caring medical treatment when they need it.

I have type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, I have health care coverage through my place of employment. If I didn't, I would be under a sentence of death. Please don't make being lucky enough to have an employer who can afford to insure me be the deciding factor of who lives and dies in this country. Thank you.

I have been fighting for a revision to the PROVISION OF OXYGEN To Patients. Anyone not bedridden is penalized - overcharged and difficult as set up to access when traveling. Frances Burke

I want to see a universal single payer option -- 20 years ago, I was opposed to this, but see now that what we have in the country is as provincial as the civilised world believes us to be-- premiums for company provided health care continue to rise. Waiting for routine and cosmetic treatment is NOT a hardship..... canada and europe have the right of this -- as the do with education -- why are we so bound to bs insurance lobbies etcetera personal note -- our daughter's mental health issues were not adequately covered by the so called... (more)

I am fortunate enough to currently live in a state that guarantees my access to adequate health care. However, I haven't always been so lucky. When I was a student at a university in California, my family couldn't afford to provide me with independent health insurance, so I remained as a dependent under the policy of my mother, an employee for the state of Colorado. After I suffered an accident in California, we discovered that I was only covered for health care provided in the state of Colorado. This meant I had to return to Colorado for... (more)

While my son and daughter were physically able to have additional children, they chose to expand their family through adoption, as there are so many precious children in need of a home. As it turns out our precious Gracie has some learning disabilities, that will need the support of their local school and medical insurance. Let us honor their family by supporting them with their medical needs.

My wife and I are retired and not eligible for medicare. Our health insurance premiums cost us nearly 25% of p\our annual income.

I didn't have health insurance for five years until I began graduate school this fall. I ran a small NGO and the costs for insurance were simply too high. As a result, I've forgone primary care and damaged my kidneys, probably for life. I am one of those people who clogs up the ER with non-emergency medical problems because there's simply no other option- no day clinics in my area. There is no reason why a hard-working, middle-class college graduate should not be able to afford care.

I was a divorced mother of two and always struggled. I don't want young women to struggle the way I did ....

I was sexually assaulted and intimidated in the Bahamas within 32 hours of arriving by construction workers living inside our hotel. Since then I have had to go to the ER, have 3 HIV/AIDS tests, other STD testings, years of counseling, & prescriptions. I have had to pay for what my healthcare does not cover. I have not been able to work and was told that my state, Massachusetts does not help crime victims that were hurt internationally. We lost planned income and my husband has lost work, many days of work. I was told that my insurance... (more)

For me personally, prior to being laid off I worked for a small business, each year our premiums rose and each year our percentage followed. Eventually, this situation contributed to the financial decisions that lead to the instability of the company. I am now unemployed and have had no insurance for mayself and my family since February. I have just been qualified for assistance with COBRA thanks to President Obama's Stimulus. I have 3 grandchildren, all of them work, their partners work... they all have at least one child... none of thier... (more)

Health care costs must be brought under control. Universal health care with lower administration costs and enhanced group bargaining potential is the way to do that. Go nuts.

I have recently been laid off from a employer that paid pretty much of my health care expenses. I paid little to nothing out of pocket. Now that I have a new employer, I am paying more. As well all no the economy is really bad and costs are going up. I can't afford for my healthcare to do the same. We need some intervention where healthcare is affordable and accessible to all americans. No one should have to go without out.

In 2004, I became ill from an unknown cause. I was unable to eat and my stomach was in constant pain. I was not clearly diagnosed, despite a great deal of testing, and told I may have colitis. I moved to Boston in 2005 and again fell sick in 2008. Here in boston, I had access to a range of doctors and resources that made a HUGE difference in my diagnosis and treatment. I found out I had chrons/colitis disease and was immediately put on medicine, a changed life style and a changed diet. I'm not almost back to my normal self after struggling on... (more)

Absurd. My Blue Cross/ Blue Shield has ioncreased by over 50% in 18 months to over $700 per month. Yet, the level of coverage has dropped! Higher deductibles, less coverage etc. What a scam!

I see the impact of rising health care costs on employees. While some government programs are intended to encourage preventive care and consumer driven health care, the rising costs are negating those intentions. I see many people dropping coverage because they can't afford it and going to the ER for care that could have been prevented with routine check-ups. This cycle has to stop.

I am the former President of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and I believe that a public plan option is essential for meaningful reform of the healthcare system. Nothing else will do as much to improve quality, cost, and access.

My husband and I are on a limited teachers retirement and do receive a small amount of Social Security. We belong to Kaiser Health Plan. The cost of the Premium is fairly low but our co-pay is what keeps us from seeing the Dr. as often as we should. Heaven help us if we have to go to the hospital!! We are lucky as compared to so many but will do all we can to make sure you get this reform passed.

I AM A PERMENENLY TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABLED VETERAN. HOW-EVER, I ALSO WAS EMPLOYED BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE IN TYHE 70,S AND 80,S. RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST TILL MY NEXT BIRTHDAY I ALSO CARRY BC/BS. THAT I RECEIVE A STATEMENT FOR FIVE OR 6 TIMES A MONTH. YES, I ALSO GET CHARGED BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. THAT IS SAD BY ITSELF. THIS UPCOMING YEAR, I WILL NO-LONGER BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO KEEP THAT BC/BS HEALTH INSURANCE. LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE, I WILL AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN AT THE MERCY OF NOT ONLY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BUT NOW WITHOUT MY... (more)

I have lived in Germany for four years where they had government-sponsored health care. There people have more "choice" than they do here. I could go to any doctor I wanted, when I wanted, without a referral, co-pay, or worries about in-network or out of network and no worries about hidden costs and bills that take years to resolve. Yes, I paid a fair amount in taxes, but I got a fair amount for my money in terms of a free (though not perfect) education system - through university, comprehensive and well-run public transportation... (more)