My daughter and son are perfect examples for why we need health care REFORM. For the past four years my daughter has been unable to find full time work and so does not qualify for any health care. My son works 30-35 hrs per week, (considered full time) and does get some health care but has to pay most of the premiums. With copays, he cannot afford to use the health care he does have very often. Both have health issues that should be treated now. There has to be a better way to provide health care that people can afford to use.

I'm just another graduate student dealing with low-level mental health issues, wondering what's gonna happen once I leave the PhD program, hoping that my parents won't have to blow their chances at retirement in order to help me out. There's worse cases, obviously.

Having no health insurance throughout the 6 years I worked my way through college (other than the on-campus clinic), I feared the day I might break my leg or become seriously ill. I attended a university in England for my Master's degree- where just for showing up, they awarded me National Public Healthcare. You see, ensuring everybody is cared for leads to a more productive society, a healthier society, a safer society--and other countries seem to have an inherent understanding of these principals. I will be proud the day I can say that my... (more)

My parents are self-employed or part time employees and pay a ridiculous amount of premiums and deductibles for the services they get. As they age I worry that they will have to choose between health care and other necessities in their lives.

please provide single payer health plan. blue cross shield are parasites and leeches who skim 30% off the top for their own profit, provide absolutely NO health care. The perfect blue cross member dies instantly without ever visiting the doctor. It is the desire of blue cross to take in money and avoid spending it in any way. these people need to be purged from the system.

The time for sharing stories may be coming to a close. Maybe we shouldn't change health care policy based on anecdotes, including anecdotes about other western nation's superior health care systems/outcomes. Suffice it to say that this is my personal story: I can do the math. In our country's profit-driven health care system, insurance premiums have at least quadrupled in 8 years. This has driven millions out of the market out of the system - this form of rationing surely must be addressed. Now, without my own profit-motivated lobbyist in... (more)

My father is a navy veteran, has worked all his life, is a wonderful father, and believes in an honest days work for an honest days pay. This last year he has been in and out of the hospital due to his diabetes and just recently suffered a heart attack. Because he was unable to work, his job had to let him go which left him without health insurance and a way to pay for health insurance. His doctors refused to see him because he did not have insurance, his medicine bills took whatever little money that was being brought in by my mother, leaving... (more)

Health Care for all citizens is one of the most important rights that the United States can offer our people. Children and elderly are most affected by the lack of adequate health care, people who in this horrible economy, losing their health care is the worst feeling, the choice many have is to put food on the table, roof over their heads or health care. This should not be. We take care of the world around us, it is time we take care of ourselves.

To Whom It May Concern: I, Geri Manning, a currently uninsured American, who health could be severely impacted due to lack of health care. I am a 43 year old African American female, and I haven't been checked for sugar diabetes, a mammogram, or dental care for more than five years-- I don't know what could affecting me. I now suffer from frequent colds and flu- three times a year, in oppose to once a year as I use to. The bottom line is, as my age increases, I am not as healthy as I used to be, or as I could be if I had appropriate... (more)

I work 2 or 3 days a week as a retired teacher volunteer at the Salvational Army State Preschool around the corner from where I live. These children are from families of very low income -- most go for free. My three and four-olds have free breakfast and lunch each day and some stay until 6:oop.m. waiting for parents. Almost all the children are hispanic, a few are black, a few are white. We take in anyone in need. Crystal has been sick for 3 days, the teachers tell me. She has been crying and crying with an earache. She cries all... (more)

If anatioal health care system were in place. I would be able to retire. Opening up a good paying job for another American.

My parents have hypertension and need health insurance. They are only able to afford it because I send them $240 each per month.

I am an Acupuncturiest in California. I have seen far to many drity tricks being plaed buy insurance companies. Instead of improving and helping people with their health care needs. It Seams like insurance compnies are hairing people to figure out ways to stop you from using benafits. We shold outlaw using the term pre-existing condition. Too many people pay too much for years only to be turned away when they really need help.

Why should companies be making money off of people who need to see a physician? Millions are spent on healthcare and yet our system still pales in comparison to Canadien, French, British systems. Why does the U.S. still decide to pillage our own to make a buck off of their illnesses?

I was always a firm believer that I should look to myself for most things. In 2003 I fell on the floor and within 30 seconds I got up and my life was totally different. I lost 25 lbs in less than a month. I went from size 8 to 0 and needed to wear a belt at that. I saved to get my own insurance which I did. I began to burn I felt like a sausage being cooked and turned over a slow flame. I lost all my muscle mass, my hair turned to straw, my short term memory was whipped. I used paint 18" 24" acrylic paintings for childrens... (more)

As a future FNP, I will be a healthcare provider and as RN I have witnessed the effect of healthcare on the under-insured and the non-insured. I would like to be part of the change!!!

I should not complain as I have had some form of health insurance all my life. However, I was sorely disappointed when I was pregnant with my first child to discover that there were a total of six obstetricians that I could choice from, all male. None of them viewed childbirth as the natural process I do, and having a midwife would NOT be covered. There was one hospital I could use. I ended up insulted by the attending physician, drugged, and barely missing a caesorian. Thankfully, both my son and I came through in excellent health. I am one... (more)

WE HAVE HAD GOOD HEALTH CARE OURSELVES BUT WE WANT TO SUPORT GOOD HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. CHEERS ARTHUR AND ZITA JENNINGS

When I was a child, we didn't need insurance, we could pay for a doctor's visit. Now, most people can afford neither health insurance nor doctor's visits. Everyone should be able to have health care, not just the rich.

I have been a member of Kaiser Permanente for about 15 of the last 20 years. 36 months ago, I separated from my employer and maintained my Kaiser memebership via Cobra and Calcobra. (250$ per month) Well my 36 months of coverage end next month. I applied for individual membership with Kaiser (300$ per month). I was turned down for membership. One of the reasons cited was that I had seen a doctor in the last year. Another reason was that i have elected to do other tests rather than a colonoscopy. My only choice now is to use HIPA... (more)