I have several pre-existing conditions and am going to lose my Cobra soon. I need to know I'll have health insurance if I don't find a job. Please don't let the health insurance companies have a say in my care. I used to work for Health Net. We need real change.

As a family practice physician in an underserved area, I feel the current health crisis every day. Every day we have patients who can't get the healthcare they deserve. As an example one of my patients with a torn knee ligament, who wants to join the armed forces, has been unable to get any access to care due to lack of insurance. He has been told that the surgery will cost $10,000, which he will need to pay out of pocket first. He is currently unemployed and unable to find work due to his injury. Our fragmented system works against... (more)

Quality care for all at an affordable price is much more important to me than even the guarantee of choice. I am fortunate to have good medical insurance, but am horrified at the business of health insurance, and how much money is made by gambling on people's health.

About 1 1/2 years ago, due to budget issues, my position was eliminated at an NGO where I had worked for 12 years. It was incredibily difficult - and expensive - for me to find any health coverage for my relatively healthy husband and myself. I would love to see real reform finally enacted.

My son (48) has multiple sclerosis and is on Medicare. (I'm also on Medicare and he lives with me.) We are alarmed when we read of any cut-backs to the program. We-ALL people- must have good medical coverage. I think the Universal Health Plan is the best and most economical way for our nation 's future.

First of all, I am a practising Christian Scientist, which means that although I have health care through my husband's work, I don't use it. I only have it because if some unforseen circumstance rendered me unconsious and I was taken to the emergency room, the cost would be so exhorbitant, that without insurance, it could wipe us out financially. That said, I absolutely know that affordable health care is essential to all who rely on the medical profession for their health care. My extended family struggles with the cost and quality of... (more)

How about walk into ER and it's $1400 for swimmers ear. Get the script go pharm put drops in yourself. $1400! Health Care should be a not for profit plan. Tell that to the big money Senator from Montana!

An old friend of college days was diagnosed a few years ago with a rare cancer. Her treatment program was set in motion by her primary doctor, and she was on her way to what looked like a cure. Two years down the road the cancer, unfortunately, returned. She was treated over a long course of months, released from treatment subsequently, the cancer going into apparent remission, then it struck a third time. She required hospitalization but her insurer refused to pay because a technicality involving the anti-cancer medication had not been... (more)

I have no story but I do know that this country needs affordable health care for everyone. I support a single payer system to reduce costs and protect those who need it.

As a student, I was lucky enough to be covered by my parents' health plan. Now that I've graduated and am searching for work, I have nothing to fall back on if my luck runs out.

I am 26, I have never had a "good" job, so I have never been able to afford any form of health care. At least not with my other more pressing bills. The great majority of my employment has been in the restaurant industry. Because of their low margins, they have also not been able to provide me with health care. My employers, good men and women are forced into using scheduling tricks to keep me under the minimum amount of hours and wages, shifting the burden to me. The system we currently have is painfully regressive. Less hours, and... (more)

My health care story involves my own family members, and a friend. My Sister's Story: To begin, my 62 year-old single sister who is retired, was feeling very dizzy and about to pass out. She dialed 911 and was taken to the hospital. She had some tests, was there for two days, and given a diagnosis of vertigo--being dizzy. Before discharging her, she was informed her bill was $23,000 and she had no health insurance. My Mother's Story: When my mother was 79, she became seriously ill. I had never seen her this sick before. When she... (more)

My son is a recent graduate from U.C.Berkeley. He is 24 years old and hasn't been able to find steady employment in the year since he graduated. He needs dental work and has neither dental nor medical coverage. Because he has saved money from temporary employment he does not qualify for medi-cal. He needs a savings to live off until he finds a job.

My health care only covers certain things. So after a knee injury last May it took over seven months to get an accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, physical therapists would try different approaches sometimes improving things, other times causing more problems and pain.

I'm lucky to have a union member wife so I have health insurance. Your (or my or anyone's) health insurance status should have nothing to do with your (or my or anyone's) employment status!

I am a registered nurse. My employer sponsored heatl insurance is constantly rejecting claims and costing me peace of mind and maney dollars. we must stop the insurance companies from failing to cover healthcare costs.

I am a retired RN for 10 years and recently had to be in the hospital for my mother. The waste has not changed & the costs will not change until the business end is handled. Most doctors and nurses are not good at cost containment-they are care givers and helpers with no business to save in mind. Guidelines need to be established!

Dear President Obama. I am On Socila security. I was billed 85.00 to get antibiotics for a infected insect bite. They would not give me more than 10 pills. They would not refill it. I had to go back to get another 10 pills and they billed me $85.00 again. That was a scam. Now medicare paid 17.50 and said they were not to bill me for the balance. The clinic has been billing me for 2 times $81.00 plus a bill from the doctor. Now they sent it to a collection agency and I have bad credit records.

I have been an RN for over 20 years. I am currently unable to work due to a disability, but I cannot get disability because I have no physician. I cannot get Medicaid, because I still have a few assets. I have untreated medical conditions, including osteoporosis and heart and lung disease. I was able to get medication prescriptions by enrolling at our junior college and visiting the health center, but they will not do primary care.

There was a young man here locally who was without health care for several weeks between college & his new job; just as my daughter is now. He had a massive stroke & will now need life long care. No nursing homes want to take him in, since they know they will loose money on his care. His name is Bobby Peterson- his story is not so unique, but tragic all the same. I am an R.N. who has felt we have needed Universal Health Care for years. This story is a perfect, heartbreaking case in point.