We had medicare and supplemental insurance and the premiums were $800 plus for my husband & I. I took a chance and dropped the supplemental insurance and took a medicare replacement medical insurance policy with Coventry Advantra Freedom. Medicare pays them to handle our insurance and our only premium now is for medicare part D. We have no problems getting our medical expenses paid and on time as well.

I am in my early 20's and I know one of the things in my future that will be there is health insurance and medical expenses. I have watched my parents who are working class go through many injuries while working in factories or odd jobs here and there. Sometimes the insurance we have only covers certain doctors or certain surgeries. Other providers only cover certain medicines, and sometimes it is hard to find a particular medicine that better fits your insurance. The doctor says this medicine will help you, but you'll have to find something... (more)

Three of my grandchildren are uninsured right now either because of unemployment or such high premiums they can't afford. Something has to give and I'd like to see insurance companies, health care providers, and employers collaberate together. I believe Obama's bipartisan negotiations are on the right track.

I lost my medical insurance when my husband lost his job in 2007. I'm 64. I work part-time (we both do) with no benefits. We couldn't afford to continue medical coverage under COBRA ($600+ a month just for me). In March 2009 I got sick. After a CT scan ($1,000) and a colonoscopy ($3,000), the doctor said my gall bladder had to come out. Total charges for those two tests and outpatient laparoscopic surgery were over $16,000. One charge was $85 for stockings (for circulation). $85 for support hose! Armani doesn't charge that... (more)

My husband lost his job of 18 years last June and had been diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy just 5 months prior. We lost not only his but my health insurance. We eventually got me back on health insurance(we own a small business) but were told unless he gets on a large group plan, nothing linked to diabetes would be covered. Well, that's just about everything. My pre-existing will also not be covered unless I have no trouble for two years. We have worked hard our whole lives, always had health care, and never received any... (more)

I am fortunate that right now I do have good health care coverage through my employer, however a few year ago the company that I worked for closed and I was forced to pay the COBRA which took all of my unemployment check during the few months that I was without a job. My husband's employer doesn't offer this benefit so I need to keep my job in order to have insurance. My health is not very good and I worry that if I can no longer work or lose my job, how we could possilby afford health care coverage or my prescriptions. My son and his family... (more)

We have retired friends who simply do not go to a phycisian because they have no supplemental insurance--just why is this such a sticky issue with legislators????

We changed our Health care plan to one that was suppose to be cheaper, but are we ever sorry!! The coverage booklet they sent, that was to explain the coverage to be received, they now say is not uptodate. How can a 2009 booklet not be up-to-date? NALC provider

I know too many people that don't have decent health care, and that needs to change. Health care costs wayy to much. We need to see lower health care costs, and have decent health care for all peoples.

I am a 20 year old single mother living in Iowa. The only way that I am able to receive health care for my almost 7 month old daughter is through the Title 19/Medicaid program. I am totally dependent on the government for doctor visits and prescriptions. If health care costs were more affordable, I wouldn't need to be on that program. I would be able to be more independent in my choice of health care services and doctors that I visit. I would hopefully end up costing the government less in the long run.

My brother-in-law was recently laid off because the company is moving it's production to Mexico. He is now on unemployment. He carried the health insurance prior to his layoff. Now my sister, his wife, has to carry the insurance or they use Cobra. Cobra would cost them nearly 1200 dollars a month for the family. They could not afford that! She works at a hospital and her insurance is too costly to cover the family. She is forced to apply for health care for her kids through the state program and will only be able to insure herself... (more)

I am 43 and I am always struggling with money. I drove a taxi in Fort Lauderdale for 15 years and delivered pizzas for the last 6. I am Gay, & Hiv neg. When I worked at Dominoes Pizza Corporate Store, the health plan they offered covered me for up to 1,000.00 and after that they canceled you I was told. It was Cobra, but it was not the best. Who can afford insurance? It is way too expensive. I'll die and then they can get a robot to take them to and fro and bring them food. I don't care. Alzheimer's runs in my family. I am also pro-stem... (more)

My family is fairly lucky with health care insurance provided by our employers. However, our 21 year old son is without healthcare. Our son was diagnosed with a mental health issue when he was 15 years old. He has had many issues because of this including legal problems. We have been unable to get him to a mental health professional that will continue his care. He is now living without a permanent residence. Because of his untreated mental illness he appears to have some physical problems too. He does not have personal health insurance... (more)

single mother recently lost my job due to economic conditions. Can not take a job without benefits, need health insurance. If Health insurance was not so expensive could afford to take two part time jobs if necessary to get by.

I have 3 small children. Kids always need to go to the doctor. I have to pay almost $100 every time we go, plus any prescriptions and then usually a recheck. I have gone into debt just so my children can feel better, get their shots for school and all the others that come along with having children. There is no reason that doctors and pharmacies should be so expensive.

I'm so happy that I have the opportunity to voice my opionion on health care reform. I don't know where to begin. I have 2 sons, one 19 and the other 18. My eighteen year old son now is covered by the Hawk-I insurance but this will be running out when he turns 19. I am at my wits end. My other son and myself do not have insurance. I have been holding off having some medical testing done for so many years and feel that by the time I do have the testing done it will be too late as hospitals and Medical offices require payment in advance. ... (more)

FDA is a lapdog for Wyeth A year ago Wyeth got to someone in the FDA and convinced the FDA that one of the components of my compounded estrogen, Estriol had not been approved by the FDA and should be banned. Since then, my health insurance, TriCare for Life, will no longer compound, nor pay for my RX even though my RX contains only .04% Estriol. This component has been used in our country and in Europe for 30 years. So, why then has the FDA not approved this essential medication for me and for the thousands of post-menopausal women?... (more)

6 years ago. I was self employed on the West Coast, and had health insurance through a self-employment association (not inexpensive). I ended up in the hospital and had to fight with the insurance company to pay their share. About 1 year later, we relocated to the Midwest. I had a period of time where I could not afford my health insurance (maybe 6 months)and was without. Once I started up my business again, I contacted the same Association about their health insurance, someone came to my house, filled out my application and I gave them a... (more)

I volunteer at our free clinic in Webster City. We can not meet the demand. These are real hard working people not just a bunch of free loaders. We have to make some changes.

Hello, I feel almost ashamed to relate my situation to others as so many have so much worse situations. I am too young for medicare. I have a little more than a a year to go. People on medicare pay a premium and know they can go to the doctor and receive treatment; regardless of the illness. I wish I was politically informed, but I would venture to guess most of medicare problems are related to physician and Rx Co. abuse. I do posess a little knowledge about the medical profession as I am an R.N. I am not working as my health and age... (more)