Mother-in-law is paying over $3000.00 per month for a cancer treatment, and she is insured with Kaiser Permanente! This is ridiculous- she now is broke and will be forced to sell her home soon..

I had to stop working because I took care of my terminally il parent. I accepted COBRA dental and vision. In my mistake I sent 2 payments and did not realize I missed a month. The confusion of her death caused me to forget things. They dropped me and would not cover anything. They did not even notify me until after I went to the dentist. Unfair treatmentand inappropriate. We need a better system to assist families during loss of work and decreased finances.

I LOST MY JOB IN FEBRUARY 2009. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COBRA HEALTH INSURANCE. MY COMPANY KAPLAN WANTED ME TO SEND THEM 2 MONTHS OF PAYMENTS TO KEEP THE INSURANCE GOING. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HADN'T EVEN RECEIVED AN UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK AT THAT TIME. BUT THE HR PERSON JUST SENT BACK A REPLY "WELL I GUESS YOU WONT BE SIGNING UP". SHE DOESN'T CARE BECAUSE SHE STILL HAS A JOB AND HEALTH INSURANCE. I DIDN'T ASKED TO BE LAID OFF AND I THINK IT'S LUDCRIS FOR COBRA TO CHARGE SO MUCH FOR INSURANCE WHEN YOU'RE UNEMPLOYED. I DIDN'T PAY $300 A... (more)

My husband and I are from Canada. We know the importance of Health Care System.

There is a problem you have to overcome before you can do anything on health care. What is causing the rise of cost is all the 'illegals' that are getting FREE health care, and are taken in emergency rooms before a paying patient. I KNOW, it has happened to me twice, on the second experience, I walked out of ER and went home. It is especially bad in the border states, CA..AZ..TX etc. There is a way to put a moratorium on people coming into our country illegally. "PUT UP AN ELECTRIC FENCE" about 20 feet high. We had one up on... (more)

I am a mother of five children (one biological, three full-time step children, and one adopted child) the cost for private health care is simply too high. I ask that the country adopt a health care system like the one enjoyed by the citizens of France. I spent a great deal in France as a child (my parents were from France) and I was able to be seen and treated by doctors for various childhood illnesses. I pray for such care for my own children. Currently, our health care policy has been the "republican system"; better stay... (more)

I'm very healthy, and I want to stay that way. To do so preventative health is best. When something seems wrong, a Dr.'s visit usually givems me heads up on what to do. I pay over 4,000 per year but I only use a fraction of that for preventative care, like blood test, and diet and excercise reminders encouragement.

I'm lucky and pretty well off - I have Health Insurance - and I can even pay the premiums right now for ONLY about $17,000 per year PLUS MEDICATIONS with Kaiser (nothing fancy). 5 or 6 years ago the premium was about $8,000. Oh, and I have chronic kidney disease so when things get bad healthwise, it will be more - much much more. I'm over 60 and know I can never retire because my health insurance premium is more than my Social Security will be (not to mention little things like a roof, some food and transportation). I'm lucky and have a good... (more)

When I retired, my health insurance premiums skyrocketed and are almost as much as my mortgage. It has been very, very difficult. And now I am wishing my life away as I count the years till I'm 65 and get Medicare. What a shame!

pnnjpbiz@cox.net My wife (chronic viral condition),12 year old daugher (epilepsy), and I (blood disorder which caused recent stroke) have pre-existing conditions which make us uninsurable by insurance companies which are allowed to cherry pick who they will insure. Our current coverage, a legacy from my cobra program when I was laid off seven years ago has me slotted in program which costs $1500/month now and will increase to $2500/month in 2 years when I turn 50. We currently spend %25 of our net income on insurance which will increase to... (more)

My issue are with pre-exsiting conditions. As I get older, my medical disabilities increase. We are ALL able when we are younger, however, once we become older we become disable to do the thing we once could. Its important for our health care system not hold us accountable for getting older.

I know countless people who simply go without healthcare including students who cannot afford it by themselves. something must change

I am fortunate to have a good job with medical benefits but I know the costs are high and many people cannot afford insurance.

My husband and I operate a small business, which is struggling because of the current economic conditions. When I received my last invoice from Anthem Blue Cross, with another substantial increase in my premium, I could not afford to make a payment. I have to ask the question, "Why I am paying an increase when my family did not even use our health care plan for the past 12 months?" A plan with a very high deductible to meet. Some of my friends are employed with insurance companies, and some are employed at doctors' offices. I see... (more)

I have a family with a history of cancer (all forms) on both sides. My daughter lost her coverage back in November 2008 when she lost her job. She is in desperate need of medical coverage;PLEASE!

My husband and I are almost 60 and we have a 17 year old daughter; health ins premiums are $1100/month. We can barely afford to go to the doctor to pay the $45 co-pay. We are limited to generic medications. The future looks grim. We are going to do without healthcare unless something is done to change the system. Imagine what $1100 a month would do in the hands of the doctors and hospitals!

Fear of healthcare costs is shortening our lifespans in this country.

When younger, a single mom, for months at a time I had no health care for myself. There was coverage for my kids, but none for me. It was a very scary time because I have asthma and would sit up nights drinking tea when the attacks came on. I couldn't lay down because I just couldn't breath. I had a horrible attack one day; I started sweating really bad and had to double over to try to get breath. I called 911 and had to whisper that I was unable to breath. When the ambulance came (my oldest daughter ran outside to wait for the... (more)

I am lucky.I belong to a union and get good not great sort of afordable health care.I retire in 10 years.I lose my benefits then.My children lose my benefits at age 24.Medicare is shakey at best, going broke at worst.My social security the same.I paid into it for 37 years.Health care is too high and cost the company I work for too much making it more difficult to compete.Health care is or should be a basic right,not something the drug and insurance companies can hold over our heads.These problems need to be looked at and solved by intelligent... (more)

I got dropped off my dads insurance and because of a pre-exisiting condition I was denied coverage through Health Net. I have had their insurance since I was five. So the only way to get insurance was to lie. I got a plan just for emergencies and I realized through experience with the companies and Michael Moore's movie Sicko that I am not really covered at all. I canceled my policy today and I am ready for health care reform! It would benefit the nation to stand behind it.Use common sense and research it. The insurance companies are pouring... (more)