I grew up below the poverty level. My family had no health insurance. I remember my first encounter with the health department. As I waited in the waiting room, I noticed professional people doing basic admin work. But for me it was more. The thing I remember the most was the expression on their face. Some were smiling, but even the people that were not smiling had a look of satisfaction that I only knew when I was not working. Until then, the only way out of poverty that I had seen was working for a farmer or in construction. I wondered what... (more)

We're fortunate to afford good health insurance, but it shames us that others can be allowed to fall through the cracks. A great country should not be judged soley on gross domestic product or income levels. A truly great nation cares for all its citizens. I hope that we can get beyond self-interest and realize that the future of the nation depends on us solving this problem together.

I follow a vegan lifestyle and a holistic approach to healing. I think it is ashame that insurance companies will not cover proven holistic methods of healing (and there are some--macrobiotics, for instance). It seems we get punished for practicing a healthy lifestyle. I do support change in our system for people who seek traditional healing and medicines because it is far too expensive, and I have seen people pay for insurance all of their lives and then be dropped when they need it.

I'm currently without health care due to high insurance costs. I look forward to a national health care plan to provide comfort to people like myself.

I personally don't have health problems at this moment. My story is that I believe that if people are not worrying so much about their medical bills, they can focus their time on the more important things. Like family and treating people with the respect each,of us want for ourselves.

Good afternoon. In 1978 I took a trip to Mexico, and was treated for dental issues. As it turns out. I was treated with a medication that killed all of my white blood cells (agranulocytosis) and I was burning with fever and broken out in horrible sores. I was transferred to Cedar Sinai Hospital, and a new "miracle treatment" white blood cell transfusion was carried out. The priest was on hand, and was talking to me about last rights, and that I would be forgiven for all..., etc. I survived this despite the odds. I often... (more)

I am the pharmacy tech supervisor for an independent pharmacy. I see the results of the current system of health care on a daily basis. I spend a great deal of time everyday going through patient's medications looking for programs that may save them money. Even the patients that have insurance need these programs which are mostly funded by the manufacturer because the copays for the specialty medications we dispense are still beyond that which normal people can afford. This is assuming that the PBM actually will pay for the medication. You... (more)

I'm 59 years old...I have a disabled husband...he's on Medicare, thank God. But I am self-employed so that I can be with him more, have no health insurance and have not been to a doctor in about 8 years. If I break, there's no fixing me. I can't afford insurance...I can't afford to be sick. Please stand with President Obama and let's get help for people like me.

I pay so much in healthcare each month - well over $400 and have little to show for it. My wife and I plan to have another child in the next year but are having to think consciously about whether we can afford it or not simply because our deductible will reset to $0 at the end of the year. Health care costs are way higher than they should be and they will only go up next year while my paycheck will remain the same due to the economy. I hope Congress and our president will step up to the challenge and act FAST. We have so much brainpower in... (more)

My husband was burnt over 50% of his body in 2001. He survived his injury, but is now on Social Security Disability. I was unable to work for over 1 1/2 yrs because he was unable to care for himself at that time. I am now back to work but unable to afford health coverage. It takes every penny I earn and his Social Security check in order to pay for our living expenses and necessities. My husband is a vet so he is able to go to the VA Hospital for care (even though we owe them a lot of money and don't know how we will be able to pay them).

Mr. President I feel that everyone should have health care in america wether you work or not.We are a rich country we help other countries but not our own.And im not saying not to help other but to take care of our own.You are a great President and my Sister Mechell I just love her. And Mr President please help help the elderly more they are having such a hard time with food stamps, living in all not enough to take care of there selOur chidren i jhust dont know crime crime crime they need it to. I just pray for us all .

My brother is 28 years old and works hard in construction. His employer does not offer health care. He has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. We help as much as we can with paying medical bills and getting his prescription medicines which are over $500 a month. He doesn't earn enough to pay for health insurance so most dr.'s won't even see him. He wants to work and earn a living, and it would be so much easier for him to keep working if he could get the care that he requires.

President Obama, I am 24 years old, I am self employed working in my family business. I do not healthcare. I am blessed to be healthy, however I think about the future. I haven't been to the dentist in three years because I haven't been able to afford the annual cleanings and checkups. I know that I can not continue to do thi. My father has a condition in which his heart goes out of rythm which was an offspring of his diabetes. On March 31,2009 he was admitted to an hospital for two days by his cardiologist. Because he was admitted ONE DAY... (more)

I am employed, but currently have no health insurance. It terrifies me. I am unable to afford even basic healthcare - and it is not offered by my employer. Please pass some real health care changes so I can afford to have insurance.

My now 9 year old son, Tyler, had kidney stones about a year ago. During the summer of 2008, I lost my group health insurance. While Tyler is covered under our individual health insurance, there is a 5 year waiting period on his kidney stones. If, God forbid, he gets another kidney stone during that time period, I have no idea how we will pay for his treatment...... I also have to keep a close eye on my father. He has bi-polar disorder and heart disease and does not consistently take his meds because he cannot afford them.

I am a single mother. I work for a small business. Due to the high cost of health insurance my employer does not provide it for employees. I, like so many other people, cannot afford to pay the high premiums and deductibles myself and do not qualify for government issued health insurance, so I go without. I also cannot afford the cost of doctor's visits or the outrageously high cost of medications, therefore I simply have to hope that I do not get sick enough to need a doctor. I also do not get to have annual check ups to possibly catch... (more)

At the asge of 59 I cannot afford healthcare. I am self-employed and the costs are just not realistic. I worry that if anything happens to me it would put a heavy burden on my family and friends.

My story is why is V.A.gives the Veitnam Veterans the run around on our benefits.I have been fighting for my benefits from Sept.2003,my appeal is in washington now for that V.A. to look at and turn me down again. I have try to get unempolyablityfromSept.2003,V.A. turns around and said I'm not competent enough to handle my affairs,this to get out of paying me the back pay of about $100,000.00,this awful to do a VETERAN that way.Just like saying the country DOES"T CARE ABOUT IT"S VETERANS and what they went thur for this country. If... (more)

The employer who I was getting Cobra from went out of business and we were not notified(not required). I was paying about $850 for a family plan. When I asked to extend the plan, BCBS of TN said it would be $3,000 a month. Thats right $36,000 a year for health insurance. My wife got high sugar levels when she was pregnant 25 years ago and she controlled it using diet only. This makes her un-insurable on private insurance. Even with her being past child bearing age. I was able to get group coverage three years ago. But my wife went for... (more)

First and foremost let me say I barely make $15,000 a year as an aide at a public school. The school carries insurance but, I have to pay $214.00 a month just for me. This leaves me with approx. $741.00 a month to live on. My 21 year old son works at a job making $7.00 an hour and doesn't offer insurance at all. So I pray constantly nothing happens that he would need to go to a hospital.I would have to sell my home in order to get him any help. I'm not expecting an overnight miracle but, President Obama what happened to all those promises... (more)