When I switched jobs to a freelance position, I could only afford medical coverage and not dental, and I am solidly middle class. I had been cavity free, but when I was able to get dental insurance again, I had cavities and fillings replacements. As a former urban elementary school teacher, the kids I worked with lacked all kinds of care because parents couldn't afford it. How can we continue to deny coverage that saves money through preventative care, rather than forcing people to use emergency rooms when problems become dire?

I developed a serious thyroid problem when I was 16, and my mother was going through a divorce and we couldn't afford health insurance. It took my mother and I 7 years to pay for all the treatments and doctor's visits. My mother lost the house she had bought two years later because she couldn't pay for my treatment and the mortgage. So sad

I recently was laid off from a well-paying advertisng job. Fortunately for me, my wife has coverage through her employer. However, when I joined her plan, I was without a card and my name was not in the system for 3+ weeks. When I went to pick up my prescriptions at the pharmacy, they charged me the actual price of the drugs that I was taking. WOW! That was a real eye-opener as I was used to paying the copays of $10/$25/$40 depending on the drug and whether it was generic, a brand name, or on formulary. One of the brand name drugs that I was... (more)

I have been working for the same company for 15 yrs. My 19 year old son has been currently cut off of my health insurance because he is currently not in college.(He will be in the fall). He is an asthmatic and I have 2 pay 4 his medication. I cant understand how this can happen in America, especially for some who have supported GHI for 15 yrs and pays $208.00 per pay period.

When I was a college student, I watched a close friend die if cancer because she refused to bankrupt her family so she could get the expensive heathcare she needed to live. No one in this country should have to face that choice.

I am a healthcare worker and spend entirely too much time and office/staff resources complying with the increasing demands of Managed Care insurance companies. It is unfair that health is considered a 'business'. It is a conflict of interest that an insurance company owns the company that decides fee structures based on procedure codes. The entire system requires much closer scrutiny and transparency. People first, not CEO's. And most importantly-medical school curriculums should include more preventive medicine courses.

I have no insurance, and am a freelance dancer-dance educator. If I was to injure myself, I would loose my livelihood and would not be able to afford health care. Most dancers I know don't have an insurance.

In order for my co

I've worked practically all of my adult life. Recently I was laid and with that job went my health insurance. Although I'm a healthy woman of 45, I annually have medical check-ups since cancer runs in my family. I tried applying for medicaid and was told that I make to much money with my unemployment benefits. I was offered CORBA, through my past employer for $183 a month. With rent, utilities, food and basic necessities, I can't afford to pay for medical care. I pray I won't fall ill before obtaining my next job.

I am a diabetic. I did not develop this desease from lifestyle, but from inheritance. True, I have coverage from my employer, but it, like most other employers is feeling the economic strain, so I go to work each day, with that fear of loosing my job. My daughter who is an only child, lost her job on April 15th. So all of the financial stain is on me, so I really cannot afford to either loose my job, or become so ill, that I cannot work. Something must be done about health care provision in this country.

I have a good job as a teacher but my health insurance costs for my dependents are so high that I can't cover either my spouse or my daughter. It shouldn't be so hard for working people to afford health care.

Last year on june 19th 2008, i had to do something that no 26 year old man should ever have to do. I had to call both my mom and dad and tell them that my 27 year old brother was dead. He died because he was overweight and his insurance company took over a year and a half to approve his gastric bypass, my brother was over 600lbs at his death. His insurance company required a large down payment before they would even consider his application for approval. The week before he died he went to a doctor that deined him service because of his... (more)

I became unemployed April 2008. My healthcre stopped July 2008. I had a pre-existing condition that now have progressed with to a dual diagnois. i have no healthcare and cannot afford any, I was hospitalized in April 2009 and now have a hospital bill of $30,000.00. I asm hoping to receive waht is called charity care from Mt. Sinai hospital in new york. My rent is $1,400 a month and my unemployment is $1,720.00 amonth. The hospital social worker was able to get me precriptions upon discharge for $5.00. After that twice she was able to get the... (more)

I had healthcare through my husband's work (my job did not offer it). When my husband died I had only one month's coverage or (the unaffordable) COBRA. it took several months of research to find an insurer that was acceptable to me and that my employer could/would pay for. In this second year my employer now buys my coverage through another organization (we are all non-profit) costs are lower, the coverage is good but choices are minimal. Employers want to provide but are faced with the burden of affordability and in our case the stress of... (more)

My grandfather served in the war and he is 89 years and not receiving proper healthcare because he can't afford. There is something wrong when man who fought for this country dosent have proper care. I believe we work together you the president and we the people can change that. Obama I believe and you and I believe in the the united states of america.

Pres. Obama, I noticed for the past year that as I grew older my needs grew, then subsequently the cost of my medications grew. I went from paying $800.00 a year to $1300.00 for my husband and myself. I then made some adjustments to which medications could be purchased one month and which ones could not. Fortunately, we have been safe but it is scary when you know you need your Lipitor and you instead purchase Metformin (diabetes). I am glad rising cost in medications and co-pays have become a healthcare issue that you decided to affect... (more)

Our Postman in the community with 19 years of service is being asked to retire. He currently has a $250 payment per month copay for his family health insurance. If he retires he will have a $850 month pension from the USPS and his copay will increase to $650 per month. How is he supposed to live on $200 month after he pays his monthly copay???? All this when the Sr management of USPS are getting six and seven figure bonuses??? Hope Ben Franklin shows up at the next Cabinet meeting.

I think we should look to the British and Scandinavian health care systems. How can these govts. afford to give free health care to all their citizens?I think you shoud investigate this. These people seem quite satisfied.

I am a widow with two children in college and a debilitating disease. I contribute the health system and cost in become overbearing. One must remember the unknown is alway frightening but the USA was built on the unknown. We must all enbrace change and chance in order to survive. Support our President Obama. someone at one time could identify adversities and is a common man.

I A STROKE BACK IN NOVEMBER. ALL I CAN MOVE WERE MY EYELIDS. THE DOCTOR'S GAVE MY FAMILY THEIR CONDOLESENCE. I'M IN FLORIDA THESE DAYS, RECUPERATING IN MY SISTER'S HOUSE. I HAVE UNITED HEALTH CARE. THANKS TO THEM. I'M STARTING TO WALK WITH THE HELP OF A WALKER. I ABLE TO GO TO THERAPY 5 TIMES A WEEK. IF I DIDN'T HAVE COVERAGE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD.