I am unemployed and have no health care. Enough said.

As a freelance photographer it is next to impossible to obtain insurance for a reasonable price, and even more difficult with any sort of medical history. While building my business I had to gamble and go for years without insurance. I was lucky, and had no problems. A key component of reform must be a public government-run insurance plan. If it can be done with Medicare and public employees, it can be done in the general market.

I had just started a new retail job a few weeks before when one day in October, 2007, I began experiencing abdominal pains worse than anything I'd ever felt before. I endured this pain for hours. Though I wanted to go to a hospital I had not yet received my insurance information from my new employer and dreaded the cost of an emergency room visit without proof of insurance. Finally I remembered that my insurance began on the first of the month, despite the fact that I was still waiting for physical evidence of coverage. I was given an IV... (more)

My husband just had heart surgery. It was outpatient, and he went home after just 4 hours, but the initial unadjusted bill was $168,000!!! We have not gotten the adjusted bill from our insurance company yet, but we are terrified of even getting it in the mail. $168,000 for outpatient surgery - with no complications is OUTRAGEOUS!!

As a single person with a limited income at present, I am unable to afford even simple health insurance. I exercise, eat healthy and in general take excellent care of myself, but there is no form of health care insurance that takes these things into account at present and even the ones that claim to are still charging way too much for way too little coverage. What I need and no one ever talks about is dental care which at present is just as out of control as all other forms of health care. Why isn't there a standard rate for all procedures?... (more)

I strongly believe that healthcare costs can significantly decrease with a new innovative, effective and aggressive approach on health education that involves technology we currently have. My involvement in helping to reduce health care costs have been in motion for two years now. I have been planning a very large health and wellness festival tour featuring high profile notables and musicians aiding in promoting this message utilizing high end technology. This national tour is to take a stand on preventative healthcare and overall... (more)

My niece and I do not have healthcare because I am unemployed and she is a student. This country needs a single payer plan option that will ensure our healthcare is affordable, portable, flexible in costs considering unemployment and does not deny care for any health related issue that is not elective (in the true sense of the word). We should be able to negotiate drug costs or go outside of the U.S. Finally, there should be a premium and co-pays. People know what premiums are and it sounds better than raising taxes. The plan should... (more)

I am a 25 year-old, white female who is uninsured. I was denied health coverage by BlueCross BlueShield of Florida for a pre-existing condition. The condition was depression and anxiety, which I was no longer receiving medication or treatment for since it was not necessary. Last year, I suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax, or lung collapse. I was simply sitting down at work when this happened. Because I did not have helath insurance, I was left to sit in the hospital until a surgeon willing to perform the surgery fo the right price was found.... (more)

I joined the US Navy in 1987 at the age of 18. I became an Operations Specialist and was tasked with hunting Russian subs in a world in which the USSR still existed. Near the end of my four year duty my ship was directed to the Persian Gulf, where I fought in the first Gulf War. Soon after, I ended my service honorably. Cut to the year 2000. I was a writer living in Ethiopia. A lot of booze and many bad choices later, I learned I was HIV positive. I quickly returned to the States to see what my health care choices were in the private... (more)

I don't have health care because it costs too much each month. I'm a self-employed music composer, so income is sporadic and insurance is expensive. I also have trouble getting insured because I was diagnosed with "situational depression" after my father committed suicide three years ago. I have been fine for more than two years, but they only see the word "depression" and assume that I am going to cost them a lot of money, so they don't cover me. Insurance is mostly a scam anyway. They sell it on the basis of a fear of... (more)

If I had to depend on health care paying for it out of my pocket I would be dead.I have severe back problems and I would love to have a good paying job and adequate health care to pay for, but I have neither. What I don't like is the simple fact that when you work they take out taxes for your SSI and medical for later years and if you apply for TNAF medical they specify that you have to pay back for the services that you are using under that system. That's wrong because everytime they tax you on your paycheck you're paying toward any medical... (more)

My father was denied chemotherapy for liver cancer by a doctors office because he couldn't meet a ridiculous deductible set by his insurance company. I a myself am in independent contractor and can't afford health insurance...when I get sick I go to a free clinic where they have angry doctors and poor services. Fortunately I am still healthy and pray I never need any major medical treatment. And what if I want to have a family?

I am fortunate that my employer does provide health care coverage. My costs have increased yearly but I pay knowing that I can't afford not to be covered. I have no job security however and could lose this benefit at any time. I know I will not be able to afford coverage if I'm unemployed and am worried about how I will be able to handle my health care needs should this arise. We, as Americans, deserve better than this. We should not be beholden to for-profit insurance companies when it comes to our health care. Having access to... (more)

I have worked in healthcare for approximately 12 years, specifically in healthcare information technology and EHR implementation. I have worked across several disciplines, and am an international expert in data standards, data transmission, data reporting, and EHR implementation. I am concerned about talk of using CCHIT for the backbone of the EHR. I am unsatisfied with the definitions that are being set out as a part of the legislation dealing with EHR's -- they are a high implementation failure risk, and I want to know how the... (more)

As a single mom I worry about the cost of health care for myself and my family. I haven't been to a dr for my illness because I cannot afford to pay the 35% my insurance doesn't cover. Its sad that I have insurance but with the rising costs of care and the dwindling coverage I still cannot afford to see the doctor.

I currently pay $700/month for just my individual health care policy - this DOES NOT cover my husband, and will not cover my soon to be adopted child. I also have a very high deductible of $1500 on top of the very high premiums, this is causing financial distress, but I can't afford to lose my policy. It is my sincere hope that we can do something about the state of healthcare in this country. Sincerely A Very Concerned Citizen

I never thought that in this day and age, we would be dealing with such horrible health choices in the United States. Unfortunately, at this time in my life I have had to resort to depend on assistance from the State, using Medi-cal to care for my son's medical needs. I am very grateful to even have this choice at the very least, but the lack of quality and the insufficient choice of health care providers is so sad and unfair. I expect my dependency on Medi-cal should be short term, but there are many families out there who unfortunately will... (more)

I beg you to reconsider using current drug and insurance companies in your plan. These groups are one very important reason why our health care delivery systems are failing. Please remove ALL lobbying ability by these groups so as not to inflict any further damage to any new or revised health care plans. Thank You, Lucille Clippinger,RN,MN

I am 40 years old and have lived a healthy life up to this point. In February I finally had to have a tonsilectomy. I lost my job in 2007 and have worked as a temporary employee since then. I do have insurance, the equivalent of an HMO. I was told by my doctor's office, after they'd spoken to the insurance company, that I was covered and this operation would only cost me $250. After the operation the bills came in. What they didn't explain after all my questions is the operation cost me $250 but the anesthesia cost $1000 and then the... (more)

I was a high school teacher for ten years, eight of them in the public school system. About three years ago I decided to leave teaching and pursue a career in the arts. It was at that time I had to give up the insurance coverage I had through my teaching job. I now work two jobs to cover my living expenses, this week I will work between 45 and 50 hours. But neither of my jobs provides full coverage health insurance. At the moment I am paying $100 a month for a limited policy that will only cover me for $10,000 a year. This is fine if I... (more)