iam disabled, and have several stories, however the one that I will submit is that of my aged mother. She lived in Texas and at the age of 94 she was suffering from demitcia, and could no longer take care of herself. My wife had several problems and because we could not get adiquit health care because of being under insured, she was forced to move to the Cherkoee indian reservation to recieve treatment. I had to take my mother with us and we were doing alright till Adult Protective Services got involved. Thier only answer to her was put her... (more)

I tried to do it right. Having a passion for helping others, I put myself through school to become a Registered Nurse. During the months between finishing school and taking the state boards to get my license, I started having debilitating symptoms which would eventually lead to the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I was able to work as a nurse, following my dream, for 10 years. During that time I had decent insurance and was able to take the specialty medications for MS that lessen the incidence of flare ups. However, in 2000, I became unable... (more)

I am diabetic with no insurance. I can afford my pics but if something semi-major were to go wrong my life would be devastated financially and I would lose everything and end up on welfare or something. I am willing to pay higher taxes if I can have some health care. People need to stop being stingy!!!

Iam a diabetic. I do everything right and manage my health as well as one can. However, anything new isn't covered under any medical plan because it hasn't been in the market long enough. Aren't we being hypocritical? The FDA is in charge of telling us what is safe and effective and although some of these treatments can add real quality to your life, medical plans make it either unavailable because they say it isn't proven or too expensive so you can't afford it. I'm sick of lobbyists buying votes from political yahoos who don't know a medical... (more)

We're a lucky family. We've not had any catastrophic illness so far. But we pay for several different health care plans and are uncertain that they would be adequate if disaster did strike. My health insurance is paid by the state because I retired after 30 years. My husband retired from our city, but pays almost $200 a month for continued coverage and has high deductibles and co-pays. Our son has no coverage, so we pay over $100 a month on a private plan, in case anything really bad ever happens. I don't mind paying for health care... (more)

I manage a small nonprofit agency which serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Several years ago, we had to sue our health insurance carrier and local insurance agent when the insurance provider stopped paying employees' claims. Today, we have another much more expensive plan for full-time employees. Premium costs increase by 10% - 11% each year despite the fact we have had no employees with costly medical procedures or lengthy illnesses. The only way we can afford the coverage is to purchase a policy with a high... (more)

I am 64 years old my wife is 60 we have no health care & have not had health care since 1993. My wife has had surgery we paid for our self. She still needs two more surgeries we can not affored yet. I have worked for the same company for 33 years

I am not currently employed and have no insurance. I do not qualify for medicare or medicaid. I have health issues including depression. Even if I could afford to see the doctor, I could not afford the medication on a monthly basis. I know that I am not alone.

I had health insurance until I was priced out of the market. When I was no longer able to carry my own insurance I was told by my Doctor that I would not be able to afford to fix a problem if the y found one and was deleted from his care. My mother who is on medicare and a supplement has had a difficult time finding a Doctor since her doctor and many of her associates have left private practice to become ( hospitalists). This is apparently a recent move on the part of many to create a doctor shortage without costing these physicians any... (more)

I am a single mother of a sixteen month old son. I work at Burlington Coat Factory and make a whopping $7.50 an hour. I don't think that I have to really explain how I can afford health care for Daniel and myself. I just get by with what I make. I tried to get off the medicaid when I went full time but it was an extra thirty dollars out of my paycheck and to keep a roof over our heads I just couldn't afford that. I really don't care if I have insurance or not but I do need it for my son and I would like to be able to give that to him on... (more)

I direct a Title X/XX, Title V PHC, Medicaid and BCCS Clinic for the uninsured. While these programs provide some basic healthcare screening, they do to cover treatment for serious or chronic disease. For example, if we identify a suspicious prostate gland in a man, there is no place to send him for diagnosis and treatment. The BCCS program helps a great deal for women with suspicious breast masses, there is nothing comparable for men with a suspicious prostate mass. It is really embarrassing that the wealthiest country on earth,... (more)

My story would probably fall under "high cost of health care". I am terrified of the rising cost of our insurance and the rising cost of health care and the vicious cycle we are all in. I am afraid of what the doctor might find if I go see him. If it is chronic, then I am labeled for life. If I ever need to change insurance companies then I suddenly "have a previous illness"! Every year our health insurance goes up and my husbands retirement income goes down. It is eating it away and therefore, I may never be able to... (more)

If health care was more reasonable, so many people would not use the immergency rooms, thus making costs higher.

I am a 64 year old self-employed female. I have not had health care coverage since my husband lost his job in the recession of 1986. I am now divorced and even though self-employed, I cannot afford the health care premiums. Thankfully, I am reasonably healthy so far, even though I suffered a slight stroke a couple of years ago. I am succeeding in staying healthy without medication but others are not so lucky. We 'must' have health care for ALL Americans, not just the few who can afford it. Thanks for listening.

I DO NOT support Pres. Obama's health care reform efforts. DO NOT. DO NOT support.

Over the past two years, it became abundantly clear to me how important it is that all Americans have health coverage. I have been one of the fortunate Americans who have had coverage, first as the managing editor of a small-town daily newspaper and now, after leaving that position and losing coverage in a employer-provided health insurance plan, as a military veteran. Let me Explain why I believe a national health care plan is so important. Between November 2006 and July 2007, I was hospitalized three times -- once to repair a broken... (more)

Health care reform is absolutely imperative in my life. I am currently a College student in debt and the last time I had available health care was when I had medicaid at the age of 18 when it was cut off. That was about 4 and a half years ago! Now I have a groin hernia that needs to be repaired, but I have no way of taking care of it. Surgery is very expensive especially for a student like me and millions of others who don't have health insurance. My sister, brother, and my mom do not have health insurance either. It is upsetting to know that... (more)

Many years ago my mother had an insurance policy with a major company. That policy was rewritten as a new policy and her present problems BECAME a pre-existing condition. This was a total sham and she lost her health insurance. She goes to a district clinic t 81 years old and has to wait many hours to see her Dr. The healtcare is excellent when she finally sees her DR. but no one should be treated like they are less-than someone with insurance. We simply must treat everyone with respect. This story can be told many times over. Mom has... (more)

I had an amazing Dr. who last year decided to leave this area to open a practice down state. I have seen other Dr.'s since then but do not feel that I am receiving the same quality care. I am willing to drive the 7 hours to see my former physician for yearly visits. However, when I contacted my insurance company I was told that my Dr. is no longer in network with them and they would not pay for any treatment I receive in his office. This is very disappointing. I feel that in order to receive the best care (for me personally) I must pay the... (more)

I have the best health care in the world. How I got here is another story. I lost my health completely at age 67 and entered a Nursing Home. I now have COPD (mainly emphsema). I am on oxygen most of time now. Lowering the cost of health care could be helped a lot with a REAL campaign to end cigarett smoking and addictions to nicotine. Help young people see the ravages of the addiction and help those who are already addicted to stop if they want to. I't very hard to do and also very expensive. Without the financial help of my family I... (more)