I'm one of the fortunate--I have health insurance. And I have many family and friends who are medical professionals. I expected that doctors, above all, would resist any change to the free market system of health care. Yet EVERY SINGLE PHYSICIAN and practitioner that I know supports reform. Patients who don't have insurance, and can't get insurance, cost both doctors and the rest of us far more than true health care reform that makes coverage universal.

My husband had prostate surgery three years ago, I was still working in Tennessee and had our insurance in TN. When I called about the procedure he planned to use, which was not offered locally I was told, and our doctor was told, it would be covered because it was not offered in TN. After the surgury they paid $57. of the $41,000 bill. The TN insurance commissioner's office is currently looking into a resolution for us.

I do not have a sad story because as a retired federal employee, my husband's benefits are the best there are. All Americans should have access to the generous benefits their Civil Service employees and dependents enjoy.His heart surgery last year would have destroyed most families.

We have had an individul Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO policy for my son who is 11yrs old, for 9 years now. We are in the process of moving from Arizona to Tennessee. When i called BCBS to arrange for the coverage in Tennessee that none of my son's medical conditions would be covered any longer because they are a pre existing contion. MY son has asthma and has been diagnosed with ADHD and an emotional learning disability. So no coveraqe for any of those issue because we chose to move closer to my husbands aging parents. I have been on... (more)

I am diabetic and realize the urgency and cost associated with this disease. Young people without insurance can't afford the med.s so they go without them. Death is imminent. In the richest country and civilization on the globe. we should do better.

My wife had cancer a decade ago, I have mildly elivated blood pressure and a bad back. I'm 62 and my wife is 66. Seven years ago I retired, but had to go back to work because when COBRA ran out we couldn't get health insurance. Now I have health care through my employer. Two years ago in an effort to control costs my employer switch from a PPO to an HSA/HDHP. At the time it looked like a reasonable alternative. It has worked well, helped control costs, and made people think about controlling costs. What we didn't know about these plans... (more)

In Tennessee, many physicians have dropped Medicare. I have osteoporosis and was unable to get a bone density Test where I had been going for years because the endocrinologist would not take my insurance.

Health care cost are out of reach to the average American. some thing has to be done.

I am only 50 years old. I pay over $600/month for BCBS insurance. Because I have a knee replacement, I have an exclusion on my knee and they will not cover anything with the knee. My daughter had allergy shots over 5 years ago, and they will not cover her for anything related to allergies. We are human beings, not carved up body parts. I have been uninsured for many years and am thrilled to have insurance now; but what would happen if I hurt my knee?

I am self employed and health insurance rates are so high that are beyond what i can afford. So far i hav been lucky...yes lucky...but for how long.

As a hospitalist physician, I care for many uninsured acutely ill patients who don't have a primary care physician to treat them after discharge from the hospital. As a result, without out patient follow up, conditions such as dibetes, hypertension, mental illness and heart disease go untreated until the next acute episode. This is bad for both the patient and for the nation. I would expect life expectancy to be significantly reduced for the uninsured. We must do better. Jack Benhayon

I'm a nurse practitioner, but I'm currently a stay-home mom for my 2 boys. My husband works for a non-profit. He has health insurance through his job, but it would cost $8,000 per year in premiums to cover the whole family. I bought an individual policy for myself and my sons, so we're doing fine. I have a friend who used her life savings to fight cancer. Now she is in remission, but on a new health policy with a pre-existing condition can't get coverage for her prescribed MRIs to monitor her remission. My main concern is for fair... (more)

When I was 16, I shattered my lower right leg in a car wreck. My family could not afford health insurance, and it cost over $25,000 to repair my broken bones. This was money that was meant for my college education. Seven years later, I can walk and have a bachelor's degree; I am also the sorrowful owner of nearly $30,000 worth of college-related debt. My story is mild compared to others', but I feel passionately about the benefits of universal health care. One of the primary causes for our current financial state is our relationship with... (more)

Every January I dread the yearly insurance meeting at my job. Every January the premiums go up and we switch providers. My husband I am currently paying $110.00 weekly, with a $2,000.00 deductable. I was forced to choose a plan that will not pay if I go to the best hospital for heart care. That plan would have cost even more.

Health care is too high and dental too high and when we had insurance for health we could only go to certain doctors which we didn't like for they didn't know our history or felt safe with them. And a few I know don't have insurance for out of work.

I am 62 years of age, self employed & underinsured. The cost of health insurance is so high, my only option is to have a high deductible, and hope for the best. The cost of my insurance has gone up 20-30 every year, but I have never used it. Thanks for all of us in need of refor, and relief. Bob Aylor

I have worked as an administrator in hospitals and managed care. A lot of the costs can be controlled with changes in regulation and quality medical directors for all medical practices. I believe that a one payer system should be available for those who want it.

My husband's employer does not offer insurance because he has a very small company and cannot afford to. We do not make enough money to buy insurance, my husband works a dangerous job, even if we could get it. Even the state program Access, costs $400-600 per month! I am what they call "uninsurable" due to a diagnosis of Bi-polar Disorder. If it were not for Safety Net & the percription assistance program, the kind people in the mental health clinic got for me after I was dropped from TennCare....I would not be able to get... (more)

I have copd ,thyroid problem, high blood pressure ,thinning bones ,a heart problem that makes my heart beat to fast,I suffer from panic attacksIneed to take b12 shots on every week. Iwas dropped from the states tenncare program because the gov. changed the program to children and pregnant women or women taking care of a child I know children must have coverage but what about me and outhers like me that are older living on a fixed income that cant afford to go to the doctor our fate is in the lords hands because the people we voted to take care... (more)

I have been ill for over two years. I have no health insurance and I don’t have that sort of money so Ive had to suffer all of that time with pain while I tried to find a doctor who would see me. (Long Story). I finally had to go to the E.R. I had to argue and fight with them to do something, and they finally admitted me. (Make a law that states E.R.'s have to do more for people than just make sure they aren’t about to die just to cover their butts) They found two stomach ulcers, a liver cyst, two lumps under my arm and breast, and other... (more)