My husband and I are college students, taking courses at alternating times in order to be home for our two children, aged 4 years and 2 months. However, last year my husband was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease which requires constant medication. I have Psoriasis and depression, both of which also require medication. My husband works at the college food service, and only makes 7 dollars an hour. We are trying to improve our lives and the lives of our children through higher eduaction, yet cannot afford to take care of... (more)

We need a nationwide system of health care because of the impact of an out-of-shape health care system on our business and industry. Small companies struggle to keep up with the burden of providing adequate health care to employees and cannot keep up with rapidly inflating costs. A strong health care system would also allow our nation to allow all economic levels access to quality health care, not simply the rich.

My ex left me pregnant, already caring for one small child. I tried to find a job, but could only find one that was low-paying; not a surprise considering my condition. Then I had 2 small children to care for, and I had to consider flexibility of schedule when I was looking for a job. Luckily, my ex insured my children, but I was left without health insurance, even though I worked full-time. My employer chose not to provide health insurance, and at my low salary (18k yr.) I couldn't afford it through a private company like Blue Cross Blue... (more)

My husband, a Vietnam Veteran, exposed to Agent Orange has had a myriad of health problems since the early 1970's -- Crohn's Disease for which he's had to endure three bowell resectionings, high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, Trigeminal Neuralgia, kidney failure -- dialysis, a cadaveur kidney transplant and then a donor transplant last summer. Through it all, he's endured and adequate health care has made ALL the difference. I've always chosen a job based on the quality of health insurance provided. I worked for Coca-Cola and then moved... (more)

My husband and I are both on student health insurance through the University of Georgia. I am 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We have very limited choices for doctors and hospitals. Also my first choice to use a Midwife and Birthing center is not covered on the insurance. The Midwife route would be less over all cost to the insurance company. Why do they only cover hospital/OB/medical births? It is ridiculous and such a shame. America is behind the times in the birth department. We should look to the European countries for a good model,... (more)

I am a graduate student and the insurance I have is pitiful. I cannot afford a necessary orthopedic surgery with my current health insurance. I also do not have a choice in doctors, having to use the university's health system for all my care. They do not have the specialty services I need and those are not covered elsewhere.

In this economy...I am lucky to have a job with any benefits, and am grateful for that. But because of the rising costs of health insurance, it would cost $1000/month for me to add my family to my HMO. My husband works for a small family company, which cannot afford coverage for its employees. So in order to be covered, we have to purchase expensive individual policies for my husband and my son. My husband and I are in our twenties with good health, so the rates are not that high...but I don't know what we will do in the future.

My family is fairly healthy, but I worry about our son. He will soon be out of college, and as a classical musician with a pre-existing thyroid condition, I wonder if he will be able to get health care when he graduates. Universal coverage should be guaranteed, especially in such a rich nation.

It is hard to think of one specific situation when I did not have to worry about my insurance, which is considered "good", paying for services that should be covered. X-rays they thought were due to a "pre-existing condition, a test the doctor ordered for a legitimate reason, medications that are not on "their list", etc. Every time this happens I have to wonder, will I have to pay for this procedure or service. I believe this is not something I should even have to think about, ever. I pay premiums to an insurance... (more)

In January my daughter was diagnosed with lesions on her GB/liver. They suspected that they could be cancer. They could not do further test because she did not have insurance or the money to pay for it. My daughter works seven days a week 4 - 6 hours a day. She does not have enough money for insurance or medical expenses and support her son. Finally in May she was able to see a doctor at Christ Clinic, a church supported by local churches. She is filling out the papers to get assistance but still does not have a diagnosis on the types of... (more)

As a nurse in a 350 hospital, I see every day how the inequity of our health care system ruins lives and makes healthcare unaffordable for the rest of us. Our hospital provides northeast Georgia with high quality healthcare, but the increasing population with no means to pay makes our mission increasingly difficult. More than one third of our patients fail to pay because they have no coverage of any kind. In addition, Medicare continues to squeeze providers by dictating what services are worth. A fair system is long overdue, where each... (more)

I just graduated from college and no longer am covered by my parents' health insurance. I can't afford my birth control and am also scared to death that something serious could happen to me before I am able to find a full time job and am benefits eligible. I have tried finding private health insurance to cover me for now, but cannot afford anything available.

I have been blessed with pretty good health so far (though, of course, that could change). I have insurance through my employer, and it's not bad. But this legislation is not about me. I stand with the President because he stands with all of America. He wants us ALL to have the benefits I enjoy. And I want that too.

I am an attorney specializing in employment law and civil rights. I represent, almost exclusively, employees in difficult and sometimes tragic employment situations. It is not uncommon for me to see clients, recently fired, who forgo COBRA because of the high cost of premiums. They do so because, with no income, they must choose between the immediate need of paying the mortgage and keeping food on the table and the gamble that they will stay healthy. Often times the gamble does not pay off for them. In other circumstances, employers are... (more)

My two daughters loose their health insurance every few months because their case always has to be reviewed and the forms are delivered to our mailbox too late. My husband, parents, sister, and brothers do not have health insurance because we cannot afford it.

I am a college student, paying my own way through the academic years. I have a part-time job during school to help meet my education costs. For at least 2 years I've needed an eye exam and new glasses, but my single mother and I don't have health plans that cover eye care. I also have a mole I am very concerned may be cancerous, but again this and my eye health would set me back likely $400- way more than a 19 year-old-student can afford. I've had to choose my education over my healthcare; more healthcare options for hard-working,... (more)

I am an attorney. I specialize in consumer bankruptcy and disability cases. Day in and day out I see people whose financial lives have been ruined by healthcare expenses. This is true of those with and without insurance. On the disability side, I see countless people who may not even need social security disability if they could get decent affordable healthcare. Since none is available, their health deteriorates, and they must seek disability benefits in order to have access to medicare or medicaid, and to survive financially. The time... (more)

I have a niece with Sickle Cell Anemia. She has been suffering through this painful disease for 15 years most of the time with out any health insurance coverage. She lives in Mississippi where she was dropped from the State Medical program because her mother makes more the $500/month. Of course my sister works at a hourly job that provides no medical benefits. The only option my family has is to show up in an emergency room when my niece's pain crisis is no longer subdued after nearly overdosing on over-the-counter pain medicines. It amazes... (more)

I was diagnosed with Cancer and had to drag myself to work while recieving Chemo, because if I missed so many days of work (even with family leave), I would not loose my job, but would loose my insurance. It is a catch 22, if you recieve chemo, it is hard to continue working, but without working you loose your insurance, and can't get the chemo. I am a nurse and was much more debilitated than 90% of the pts I was caring for. Not only that, by takeing care of sick pts and being in an immune compromised condition secondary to the chemo... (more)

My husband died of bladder cancer in April 2009, after a 12 month battle. Fortunately, we had health insurance. Cancer is an obscene disease, and it made me wonder how other people cope if they do not have health insurance. We lost even with the best of health care. Are others relegated to this end because they cannot afford treatment? We at least knew we did everything possible. It is a small comfort.