We are self-employed and have watched our healthcare premiums increase astronomically till we had to settle for a very high-deductible catastrophic plan only. If healthcare costs continue to rise as they have in the last decade, we soon will not be able to afford even this. It is a sad commentary on our society's values that most insurance plans will cover Viagra for men's sexual pleasure, but not yearly preventive exams such as pelvic exam, pap smear, and mammography for women that could save thousands of lives. Your health care plan... (more)

I want to go back to school but I am afraid to leave my job because of the high costs of health care. I don't want to loose my coverage and I won't be able to afford it if I go back to school. Same is true for many of my friends and family.

I am 50 years old who can not afford to buy health care insurance,this is sad, living in greatest country in the world!

The Germans can do it. The Taiwanese can do it. The English can do it. Even Canadians who complain about nearly everything can do it. Healthcare for every American; we're fools if we can't do it too. I believe quality health care is a right, not a privilege. If it's too expensive, then do with less high tech defense weapons.

I am facing retirement and the loss of my dental care. My 401(k) was cut 25% last Fall and early this year and my funds are not enough to cover the expenses of dental or general health insurance for an older person whose physical problems let's face it will increase. I just want an ordinary standard of living, nothing fancy.

My sister had many surgeries in the 80's to correct birth defects. My parents had good health care so it didn't cost anything, other than the premiums. This needs and should be happening more than it is. We need reliable and affordable health care.

My two adult children have major health disorders and there is no way they could afford health insurance on their own and recently my son lost his job where he did have insurance. Now what?

On January 4th of this year, I slipped on the ice and broke every bone (and tore all ligaments) in my left ankle. I am still hobbling, but making steady progress. At the same time, we have four kids in college -- and my husband was just laid off last week. So all the issues at the political forefront now -- health care, education and the economy -- collide right under our roof! I have insurance, but with a 50K medical bill, I maxxed out the stop-loss and need to come up with 4K... like, NOW. With four kids in college (a story... (more)

I believe that the insurance industry destroyed health care in this country. It's only logical that when a third party is added to the mix, which requires profits in their business, health care costs will necessarily rise. Health care has gotten worse over my 79 years of experience in most every way. I think it can't be fixed in its present form. Doctors won't accept less. Hospitals are going broke and people can't pay the premiums. Without insurance costs in the mix, we'd be able to make it work. How about a Mutual insurance company,... (more)

I have what is considered as a good health care plan since my husband works for Microsoft. Yet the surgery I had to have this year is only done by a few qualified surgeons in our area and they happen to be "out of network" on our plan due to contract disputes. The health care plan deems the surgeons services are too high. The surgeons group says that Premera is focusing on their own bottom line. I was shocked. We are lucky to have good health care, yet we are still having to pay out of pocket. If I have good insurance and I am... (more)

I have no health care because I could not afford it. In the early 2000's my small sales company offered health care to all of our 8 employees, but soon enough the costs rose to a level that we could no longer afford.

My daughter will be cut off from my insurance when she turns 25. She graduated recently but can't find a job. She has chronic back problems and I am very concerned for her.

This is about my mother-in-law. Who raised three children, worked in a factory, lost one daughter of 28 to breast cancer and a husband to an embolism. She has medicare, and she has a supplemental health insurance. She lives completely on her social security check, which has to pay her rent, her phone, and her tv. EVERY single time her social security has been increased. Her supplemental health insurance has gone up by the EXACT amount of the Social Security increase. Meaning that her cost of living increase does nothing but to fund the... (more)

My five year old grandson was diagnosed with Type I diabetes last year and it almost bankrupted his family paying the high costs of this disease. Financial ruin may yet overtake their family, as there is a lifetime to go with this treatment. His father has 80 percent coverage, not enough to keep their finances on an even keel.

My husband worked for the government and had excellent health insurance. After he died, I was able to continue the insurance, along with Medicare. I think everyone should have what government health insurance provides, which is Guaranteed Choice and Qualityl

I have been fortunate to have always had qulaity health care. I have never had a serious illness, so have never really tested my health insurance. I must admit, I can't think of a single person I know who does not have health care. My concern for health care comes from a combination of knowledge of the corporate drive for profit without regard to the treatment of people, .

The Military does not do enough when you retire. The treatment is horrible to Vets and their dependents.

My husband died at age 52. He had a pre-existing condition which required a three yr. wait. He didn't make it. One yr. to go. He probably could have made it if he could have had a balloon angioplasty or another bypass. But he wasn't eligible so he didn't try to go forward. I'm sure he thought he could tough it out. We had health insurance but it didn't cover heart problems (pre-existing). I didn't know at the time because he didn't tell me he had been to the doctor or his last test results. It was the only time that I didn't go with him to... (more)

I am a stay at home mom of two kids. Three years ago, my husband, an occupational therapist, came to me and said he was interested in starting his own therapy business in industrial rehab--essentially, rehabilitating injured workers so they can get back to work. I was terrified of his leaving the major company he worked for, even though he was unhappy, because of the health insurance. Thankfully, he was able to come up with a plan that was comparable to what he had, and now his company is a nice little business that is profitable and employs... (more)

having lived in Europe, the importance of universal healthcare for overal population health and social stability has been absolutely clear to me and the people for many, many years. Being one of the prviledged US ciitizens with great employer provided health care (first HP now by Microsoft) I can not imagine to have to live without it.