We have no health care here, so we have no health care stories. In fact, technically, we only have health care when we go abroad to work in Britain, or visit my wife's family in Romania.

I was born in 1945. Because of the uncertainties surrounding the future cost of medical care, the extent of coverage of expenses by Medicare, and the unknown cost of MediGap insurance, I am unable to plan my retirement and my wife's retirement. There is no way to know how much we must save to ensure we will be able to pay for needed health care. This despite the fact that we long ago bought longterm care insurance.

My 6 year old daughter has a brain tumor which will require a lifetime of health care treatment. In addition to quarterly MRIs (@ $10,000 each) she'll most likely need additional surgeries. If I should lose my job, no health insurance company will cover her under and individual family plan. And when the time comes that she will no longer qualify to be covered under my plan, she'll need to pay for these cost herself. This is a huge worry for me. She is already having problems at school due to her surgery and if she is not able to... (more)

When the health laws changed under ERISA insurance companies said if you have had a major medical issue in the last 5 years we will just not even let you get insurance at any cost. Costs on private individual policies have been going up 40% a year. Hospitals will take 30% on the dollar from Aetna but want the individual to pay 100%.

I was charged $12.000 dollars (twelve thousand !)for a three hour visit to the emergency room (Stanford Hospital) where I was sent for a CAT Scan (by my doctor who called ahead of time). All they did on me was to lower my fever with tylenol, perform the CAT Scan and send me home with an anitibiotic prescription. I am NOT kidding !

I'm 28 years old and I don't have health insurance. Most of the people my age that I know don't have health insurance. I've just finished my masters degree in mathematics. My friends are educated. They are artists, writers, creative people, living life uniquely and passionately; and financially on the margins. Health insurance is available to all people just like the condos with a view or the mansion in the hills or the newest sports cars are available to all. I could buy health insurance, even afford it after I find a job; but I could... (more)

Funny you should ask me this today. I just got home from my Dr. office who wants me to have casts done of my feet because of recurring ankle pain. Low and behold, my insurance does not cover the molds or tha orthodic implants that I need. I stand alsl day at work, and I get home with pains in my ankles that keep me off my feet most nights

My father passed away from heart failure at 61 years of age. He could not get health coverage that he could afford because he had a pre-existing condition. Therefore, he had no coverage and wasn't able to afford the medicine for his high colesterol and kumadin for his heart condition. Because of his personal pride, he could not ask me to help him pay for coverage and I did not know until it was too late to help. He died and he didn't need to die. He just needed basic medication that he could not afford. I look back and I am sure that the... (more)

Starting At 17 and by 22 I had to have 3 major back surgeries. I was lucky enough to be born into a middle class family that kept their jobs so I had the care I needed however I know that many Americans DO NOT. The drug companies continue to take advantage of the American people and many especially the older population in our country have to go without many things they should have at this time in their lives. We all need more protection. We have tried to take care of the world it is time to take care of Americans first.

My friend was out of work when she became ill and was diagnosed with MS. She almost die. The medical expenses due to minimal insurance were over $50k and she was forced into bankruptcy. Situations like this should not happen. She was unable to get insurance after that unless declaring she would not petition for coverage for her MS.

I am about to divorce someone who has treated me horribly. Once I sign those papers my options for health care and insurance are miserable.

I am self employed and have a premium of $600.00 per month that just went up from $450.00 with a $5000.00 deductible. If I could pay $600.00 per month and be covered that would be o.k. but as it is now if I pay my insurance, I can' afford to go to the actual doctor because I have to pay for the visit too - it doesn't stop at $5000.00 either, they only pay 80% up $7500.00 then they cover everything and thats per year per person, and that's if they deem the procedure you need worthy, really unbelievable. I would love to see health care out of... (more)

I'm lucky; I work for the state and get great health insurance--for now, and I watch my neighbors suffer and the emergency rooms fill up with people who shouldn't be there. And you know who ends up paying for that "emergency" care, right?

My wife is an internist who has been in practice for over 25 years. She has a patient population consisting of many very old patients who take a lot of extra time and extra work. She loves her patients and wants to do the best by them. The result is long hours working and many more long hours when she gets home. We have two daughters who are often unhappy about the unavailability of their mother. Last week we got a bill for a blood test that our daughter had. The price was over $200.00 and it outraged my wife who has to see lots of... (more)

My health care cost got so high that it is putting so much pressure on my family, My wife pills for high blood pressure more than tripled the cost.

I am a cancer surgeon and patients are delaying needed cancer care or not receiving additional care due to financial constraints. Currently many Americans are also underinsured. Once you have a chronic illness such as cancer or diabetes, the co payments sky rocket and prevent many patients from seeking care. We talk and quote numbers of the uninsured, we HAVE to address the very REAL problem of bare bones medical insurance. The premiums are still expensive, however, the insurers do not cover necessary xrays, special procedures and... (more)

I am Not insured. I have been lucky so far. I have paid out of pocket for all of my health care to date. What I am concerned about is the failure of our government in PREVENTING health problems to begin with. How is it that where ever the Western diet goes, so goes all of the diseases. How is it that "food like substances" are foisted on the public. Foods with little or no nutritional value. What ever happened to REAL food that is not filled with chemicals, hormones,trans fats, antibiotics, man made sugars(high fructose corn... (more)

I am a former taxpayer injured at work and now permanently disabled with only SS disability income, which is woefully inadequate. I will never again be able to take care of myself or have the life I worked for for so many years. To add insult to injury, the worker's comp. insurance company has spent many thousands of dollars and years denying care because it will affect their bottom line. I am one of those people who cannot take pain medication. I have trouble walking, sitting, sleeping, depression, and lost the ability to concentrate... (more)

I am a healthy person. For no reason, my health premiums from a major insurer have doubled in 5 years. Question: why can't my tax dollars pay for my insurance too? Why leave the majority of tax payers out of health care benefits? My taxes pay for the health plans for the federal & state employees including the executive,legistlative & judical branches, military & medicare,the least healthiest of our citizens). They all seem satisfied with "government run" healthcare. I am lower risk but my only choice is the private... (more)

I have read so many of these stories, and many talk about insurance companies refusing coverage for certain tests and procedures. What will these people do when the government is the only health care insurer (single payer public option) and decides that certain tests and procedures are not cost effective enough or broadly useful enough to cover? At least now we can cancel our coverage and get insurance somewhere else, because we have more than one insurance provider. The public option proponents want us to have no choice but the government.