I have never been able to afford health insurance and have been forced to rely on charity of strangers and the VA. The VA and the DOD are at odds representing me and congress never intended either of these to represent veterans specifically, but both are representing veterans in general which is failing in general to help veterans. The suicide rate is growing because veterans know that they have no choices among the community and are continuously being ordered to go to the VA. The VA is not exercising any leadership by allowing this... (more)

I am HIV + and on meds. If lose my job I'm screwed. I hate my job but won't leave it because I could lose my health care. Single payer has to be one of the choices otherwise we don't have a good list of choices!!!

Today my wife told me that one of her co-workers' grandparents had to get divorced in their 80s so they could both afford health care after one of them was diagnosed with a serious disease. A friend who runs the office for her husband's small construction business was recently diagnosed with cancer. The medical testing costs are overwhelming them.

I know people in this country travel to other countries for health care treatment because they can't afford the costs with or without health care insurance. Costs are out of hand and something needs to be done - now.

My mom has Multiple Sclerosis, and it is in an advanced stage. When my dad's company decided to shift everyone in his position from full-time employee to contractor, my parents were sucked into the nightmare that passes for health care in our country. They faced obstacle after obstacle -- nearly all put in place by huge corporations trying to protect their bottom lines rather than fulfilling their supposed functions of providing health coverage. Even with the financial resources available to pay for coverage (something so many Americans don't... (more)

You already understand the overlapping costs on medical records and the administration of that. As you know doctors, start earning money at about the age of 35-40. Previously they are in school. If you want to make sure we continue to "grow" American doctors then we must let them make above average incomes. I think there should be 3 "care level stations." Everyday care where families can go for daily needs instead of the emergency room. Standard care where you make an appt to see your doctor for scheduled care. Emergeny... (more)

My daughter was born in Australia(1971). When she was 6 months old, we found that her left foot would have grown into a "club foot" My Blue Cross policy from America denied coverage for "birth defects" She was operated on in Whyalla, South Australia and stayed in the hospital for about a week. Because we had migrated there, the whole thing was covered by their National Health Care. She walks fine now and has 3 children in Kokomo, IN (and a husband). My Ex still says "this is the smartest thing I ever did."

I am currently fortunate to work for a good company that pays for my health insurance. For many years before that I was not so lucky and had to go to the city hospital to get basic care. Highland Hospital in Oakland is not a happy place, and I would end up in tears every time I went there. They were so overburdened trying to serve the needs of the community that it seemed like all the people who worked there had no energy left to really care for people. Please support the people who are on the front lines caring for the citizens of this... (more)

This girl just got mugged the other day, and in the process of running away slammed into a pole and cut her face open. No one would help her so I helped her get a cab and go to the emergency room to get stitches. She has no insurance and the man who mugged her is far too poor to pay anything either. She is a college student up to her ears in loans, and these huge hospital bills are creating havoc in her already busy life. Its not her fault she got mugged and hurt and people like these should not have to pay thousands of dollars for stitches.

My daughter recently lossed her job. She is a single mother with a 9year old boy. She is unable to afford buying health insurance. It would cost her over $600. per month even under cobra. Luckily I'm able to help her out. But what if I couldn't. It is unbelievable at this point in our society that we don't have universal health benefits provided by the government. Everyone should have what I have, Medicare, though not perfect it works extremely well.

I am one of the fortunate ones, I have had fine health care throughout my adult life and now has a Medicare recipient with a fine supplemental plan from AARP Healthcare United, feel blessed and secure -- at least for now. My concern is for the millions of Americans who don't have healthcare insurance because they aren't covered at their place of employment and they can't afford to buy private insurance. I believe that in order to insure that all people will be able to afford health insurance, it is essential that there be a public... (more)

I'm lucky - I am healthy and old enough to be on MediCare. But every day I read or hear of people going into bankruptcy because of healthcare costs. And I also read....and have a bit of experience with....the fine, fair healthcare citizens of Canada, France and most other developed countries have. Please include single payer in your discussions. And please act quickly!

Our inventions: US Patent 6,234,948 and US Patent application No. 10/965,485 titled: Laboratory Automation System, increases productivity of blood tests and helps to reform the most expensive health care sector. Our Fast Lab Technology is a cornerstone of USA President preventive and lower cost health care plan and has multi Billion Global market: http://www.codebuildingblocks.com/Michael/FastSpin Prices for blood tests are high now, because companies sending samples in a long distance for testing. For example: one company sends blood... (more)

In 2002 I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid and cause it to over-produce. I was on anti-thyroid medication for a year to combat the illness, but when I lost my job I would have been out of health care coverage. Luckily my dad was willing to pay for COBRA to continue my coverage, but it was over $400 a month. Had I not had a parent willing to help, I would have been in big trouble. Recently my condition came back, and I had to undergo another form of treatment. ... (more)

I have felt helpless as my family members have struggled with alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness. Their pain is shared by all who love them. My son's suffering and early death was preventable. The amount of suffering due to these illnesses is enormous. Treatments exist - and should be available to all who need them.

hi, sometimes i can afford sometimes it will cancel because not enought funds to pay for the high costs.i have been self employed starting in 1990.i have owned my own restaurant starting in 1990 till 2003.i now run a building in san francisco.the costs are not what i can afford everymonth.thanks

I teach in an urban, high-poverty public elementary school in San Francisco. Most of my students do not have access to quality health care. When sick, students often miss a whole school day to visit the doctor, as they must wait hours in our public emergency room. Most do not have a regular pediatrician, so their care goes in circles, as they retell their medical history to each new doctor, and as each doctor gives them a possible solution. This year alone, out of 20 students, 4 have undiagnosed and untreated health issues that keep them... (more)

I am now on Medicare, so I have health coverage. But for many years I did not. This circumstance was often to my detriment, as could not afford to get medical care when I needed it. In the richest country in the world, noone should be without health insurance. Having millions of people without health insurance insures that they will unnecessarily get sick or more sick. This is counterproductive to the needs of all Americans. Who wants people to be unnecesarily sick, espectially if the sickness involves a loved one or may be contagious? If... (more)

I have been self employed without insurance and it is too high. Tammy

I am a woman without any form of health care coverage since I lost my job in the aftermath of recovery from breast cancer surgery. Now that I am finally employed again part time, I still lack quality and affordable health care. Allow me to explain: To combat the cancer and its after effects I have used all my resources, all my savings and endured many material losses to protect my health and continue to be able to work t for a living. Catastrophic health and medical expenses coupled with job losses finally placed me at the gate of... (more)