I have excellent health care through my job as a teacher. Every American should have the same quality of coverage that I do.

My husband is trying to retire. The cost of our health care will be $1200.00 a month. To some people this may not be very much, but to us it is out of our budget. We will not have good health care because we will have to get cheaper insurance that will not cover us as well, just so we can afford it.

I am a working adult without health insurance.I cant even afford to buy it because it is too expensive

Our story is not all that unusual. Our daughter recently graduated from college. She was removed from my insurance--a benefit that comes with my job. We were lucky in that I had insurance that allowed me to keep her on my policy until she was no longer a full time student. But now she's working at a public library trying to save money to start law school in the fall. She has been without insurance for over a year now. Much to my embarrassment, she has received a medical card for gynecological services. But it was her only... (more)

I was a teacher for 16 yrs. I have been going blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa all my life. In 2004 I lost so much I had to stop teaching and go for personal adjustment to blindness training and then four yrs of vocation rheabilitation. I am finally about to get back into the workforce. The problem? Once I get off social security blind benefits I lose my healthcare. No one will cover my pre-exisitng conmdition. I live on $1120.00 a month and currently cannot afford my supplimental healthcare. I want to get back to work and be a... (more)

Up until a few months ago, I was without health insurance. I have had many medical problems in my 27 years, such as stroke, lesion on my brain, infertility disease, seizures, tremors, etc. Its very hard to take care of yourself when there are no affordable healthcare options, yet you make too much money for state health insurance assistance. And even the insurance I could barely afford wouldn't accept me because of my pre-existing conditions. I can't afford the prescription my doctor has recommended for me, even with the health insurance I... (more)

I have been covered by my spouses health care since we were married in 1982. Over the years the health insurance has changed and it is not always been for the better. My husband retired in 2002 and as of yet there has NOT been a cost of living increase! When a person thinks it may be okay and your hopes begin make you feel less worried, burdened, and anxious with inflation and the rising costs of health care and all the other expenses: the Governor votes against the workers and the income stays the same. I pay spousal dues so that I can be... (more)

My husband was seriously injured in a work accident several years ago and is now totally disabled, receiving disability and also workmen's compensation which covers medical costs related to the injury only. When he was cut from employment after being unable to return he lost his health insurance and could not afford COBRA. He was unable to find an insurance company that would accept him for some time because of his injury even though he has no other health issues. He finally found a high deductible policy with minimal coverage and still had... (more)

At 57 my husband suffered a heart attack, renal dysfunction and diabetes complications and was in intensive care for 21 days. His company had recently cut some health care benefits as a cost saving measure. At the same time they changed insurance carriers. During this period, we had absolutely no income, his prescription drug costs alone for one month were more than our 2 months living expenses. We had to take from our retirement money. Fortunately he was able to return to work, however with the rising costs of health care, no raises from... (more)

well my husband and son have been laid off since December so we no longer have insurance. With the cost of health care we just can't afford it and because of household income we are not eligable for help, so we are the working family stuck in the middle.

I, myself have been experiencing problems with what I think is my bladder dropping. I work 2 jobs & have no medical with either one. It cost me $60 for the Dr. to tell me to see a gynocologest. I wasn't even examined except for weight, temp. & BP.I could have used that $60 for bills. My husband has a chronic leg problem from a motorcycle accident. His doctor said, his nerves were deteriorating; he odered a MRI. When my husband showed up for the MRI, they wouldn't do it unless he could pay $1012 cash. The Hillburton would not cover it... (more)

My mom is sick and we are not sure what is wrong. She has to go get very expensive tests done on a semiregular basis. She is too sick to work, and can't even do simple things like talk on the phone without getting exhausted. She has no health insurance because she can't afford it. A single-payer system would be most beneficial to her as she can't afford health care, and I cannot help her, as I am in college.

I have to actually bypass a local doctor in order to see an MD who is in my "lovely" Medical Plan, much further away. Here in rural western PA, we ALL must go too far in order to see specialists, even if some folks are able to be covered by insurance and still see a G.P. that isn't located out of town. The closest gynecologist who is in my Plan (for my wife) is 45 minutes distant. The closest hospitals, in two different directions, are both 45 minutes away. I can recall simply needing a prescription from a doctor, before I became an... (more)

I work for one of the lowest paid counties in the state of PA. I love my job as corrections counselor and choose to stay and help others make better choices with their lives. While our insurance premiums are not staggering, they certainly take away from my already meager salary and ability to support myself. Also, we continue to see our co-pays rise and covered services decrease which additionally takes its toll on my salary. I am completely supportive of your efforts to change the status quo and trust whatever plan you come up with. I think... (more)

I haven't one at this time - but we should all be speaking for our brother/sister nationwide as I feel the pharmaceutical companies are in the hands of Organized Crime and will therefore bring the world to the prophetic abyss from which there is no escape. You should speak up for the people.

My one year old son had a seizure associated with a high fever. His doctor thought is was a febrile seizure associated with high fevers in infants/children,but still sent us to see a specialist at Children's Hospital in Pgh. I was shocked when we received the bill and saw what the EEG cost as well as what the physician charged for spending all of 15 minutes with us! It was unbelievable. We could never have afforded it if we did not have adequate insurance coverage! The cost of healthcare is out of control in this country! Something needs... (more)

We Need Single Payer Health care! Our daughter Cathleen M. Adams MD agrees and caused quite a stir at Penn State Hershey, as a medical student. She is in Residency at Brown University now. Our daughter Gloria, a teacher in NYC, Ny is a teacher and an artist. She just recieved the BRIOS award the Bronx. She almost died because of an infected tooth a few years ago over an infected tooth! Cathy insisted she go to the hospital, where she was admitted with a blood infection. She had no insurance. This is a personal issue for us! All of... (more)

Two people I worked with are dead prematurely because they had no money to have their cancers diagnosed early enough to possibly be treated successfully.

Hi! I am a retired Pittsburgh Police Officer, Cancer Survivor, Ordained Minister and future entreprenuer. Early cancer symptoms forced my early police retirement. Internal bleeding eventually forced me to have surgery. I chose multiple alternative therapies over chemo. In 6-9 months the cancer went into remission, but I still manage other health issues. I manage back & joint pain issues with a natural alternative to drugs discovered by the University of Pittsburgh, i.e., Omega 3 fish & plant oils. Through my own idependent... (more)

I lived in Ireland for two years in the early 1980's. Ireland has socialized medicine. I had to see a doctor on several occaitons a dendist twice. I also had to go to an emergency room, because I thought that I had broken a rib. In every case I did not have to wait to see the doctor or dentist. I has excellent care and the cost of the doctor & dentist visit was about $3.00. My perscription drugs that were prescribed by the doctor was about 400% less that it would have cost in the United States. Socialized medicine does work and it... (more)