Conservatives want to make healthcare a debate about cost and numbers.
Help us tell the American people that universal healthcare is about People, not numbers, and not profits.
Will you share your healthcare story?
cforms contact form by delicious:days
There is a couple that i see daily at the bluff dale store. He is 55 yrs old, suffers from diabetes and extremely high blood pressure. As a result he has developed a huge “hole” in his foot. He cannot afford to see a doctor or go to the hospital. He is afraid that any medical help will cause him to lose his home and property. So basically he is waiting for his foot to be amputated and possibly die from the infection. He is a self employed carpenter and cannot afford insurance. It is a very sad story that I see daily. Who will help this man ?
Randy – Erath County
I know someone whose blood sugar runs critically high (greater than 300) because she can not afford insulin. She is a young woman dying of diabetes. The hospital complains about her frequent visit to the emergency department during triage, which makes her relunctant to seek medical care. This is inappropriate behavior of hospital professionals. We need health care reform. According to this young woman, incidently, it was the health care she received during her childhood to treat a seizure disorder which caused side effects that have contributed to her diabetes. She is one of the millions of Americans who desperately needs access to health care.
Erma – Temple
My story is not the horrors of trying to get medical care with no insurance or money. Mine is to show the horrors of insurers, lawyers, hospitals, and doctors taking advantage of a system led mostly by profit without competiton, regulation which protects only providers, and little sharing of existing patient health information.
I had surgery June, 1, 2009 to remove a cancerous prostate. I am one of the lucky ones with medicare plus a good secondary insurance. The Doctors, hospital stay and followup treatment were great.
Here’s the story: My surgon wanted a cardiologist to OK my ability to withstand the rigors of several hours of surgery. I am overweight, but work and exercise vigoriously in my retirement, have had many years of regular checkups, including recent heart tests, and have no indicators of heart, blood pressure or other problems. I also walk three miles several times a week.
The Medicare statement showed over $6000 paid out to prove my heart is is great shape. My secondary insurer paid in addition to this.
I am certain that greed, fear of lawsuits, lack of competation, and lack of sharing information all contributed to this totaly unnecessary charge. Thanks for reading this.
David – Lampasas
I am 46 years old. When I was 43 I was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a very aggressive cancer and had spread to three of my lymph nodes. I had to have a year and a half of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Thank goodness I had health insurance when I was diagnosed or we would have lost everything we owned to cover treatment. My husband is a doctor and we have a small private practice in Kerrville, TX. Because of this we have a small business group health insurance. If I would have had individual insurance (not affiliated with a business group) I was told I would have lost my insurance because of the cancer diagnosis. After my diagnosis when it came time to renew our business health insurance – our rates had gone up so high (because of the cancer) I could no longer afford a traditional plan. Now we have a plan for our family (3 of us) with a $5,000 deductible – that we have to pay $990.00/month for. I was told by our insurance agent that I could not switch insurance companies – because no one would take me with the cancer diagnosis. So we were forced to stick with our old company and pay the higher rates. I have to have some type of insurance coverage in case the cancer were to return. I should also mention – my husband is a family practice doctor in the small retirement community of Kerrville, TX. I am an RN and Office Manager. As far as insurance reimbursements to doctors we have not had a real pay increase in the ten years we have been in business. Over 90% of our patient’s are Medicare patient’s and my husband is basically working for the government but with no benefits. Our expenses continue to rise – and we also have two employees to pay. It is not easy for us. We both work very hard.
Kay – Kerrville
I am fortunate to have health care insurance provided by my employer, even though the HMO co-payments almost tripled this year. However, my children are not so lucky and for them (and their families) the cost of coverage is astronomical.
Barbara – Belton
I am employed and have a health care, but the cost copay is too high.
Yadi – Stephenville
When I was having my children I didn’t have health care coverage. Doctor bills usually came out of my grocery money. I imagine that today with the escalating cost of health care, it’s probably more difficult since wages haven’t caught up with health care costs. You hear a lot these days about President Obama’s health care plan costing too much. Guess what? If we don’t do something now to stop the rampaging cost of health care, it’s going to take a greater share of our dollars in the future. At least if everyone had health insurance, each would be paying something and that would help overall.
Jennifer – Lampasas
I have a chronic condition that requires frequent hospital stays and expensive treatment. I rely on my husband’s employment to provide insurance. Even then the cost is ridiculous. If my husband were to lose his job or heaven forbid I lose my husband for whatever reason, that would be the end of me.
Jennifer – Harker Heights
I am self employed with a family of four. Affordable health insurance is just not available to me. I only have catastrophic care for my family and that is so expensive it is draining resources that we could be using for college savings. Why do individuals have to work for a big company to get affordable health care? How about leveling the playing field for the little guy?
Jeff – Belton
My wife died of cancer at the age of 57. Her last three years of life were spent fighting with healthcare insurance companies and healthcare providers. To me it all seemed like medical malpractice to treat a patient as inhumanely as the “billing end” of “healthcare” treated us. This occurred despite our being in a privileged position as a result of my being on the faculty of a medical school and having taught medical students for 27 years.
Barry – Comfort
It’s time to ensure quality care and preventive care for all. I am saddened by the number of times our community has helped friends and neighbors try to pay for medical care by bake sale and bar b que. Too often I have buried friends who waited to long to go to the doctor because of fear of what the expenses would do to their family’s security. Any day of the week you can go down to the Kroger or WalMart and see notices posted at the entrance advertising benefits for various patients trying to raise funds for this or that treatment. In the first instance it is pathetic that in this country people have to beg their neighbors to help them. In the second instance it is heartbreaking to realize how impossible it is for these folks to make even the smallest dent in their bills by holding bake and yard sales. Last, most of these diseases could be prevented. The cost of prevention is so much cheaper that the cost of last minute treatment.
Mary – Brownwood
I have health care, but there are millions of Americans without even basic health care. For them it is the ER or nothing at all. It is far past time for our country to step up and do the right thing for all its people.
William – Kerrville
My 62 year old mother has always been a working productive member of our community. She has been a small business owner for over 30 years. Though she’s always been in relatively good health several years ago she had to forgo and discontinue her own personal health insurance due to rising costs and the inability to continue paying for her health insurance. Health insurance that was managed and administered by an HMO that was more interested in their bottom line rather than providing meaningful quality of life care for their clients. Now she has absolutley no health insurance during a time in her life where quality health care should be the most important. It scares and angers me that no affordable option exist for her to obtain health care, she still maintains her business’s so government assistance is not an option but with the economy so bad and business so slow, healthcare is one expense that she skips and goes without. As it is often said the greatest measure of a society is based on how it treats it’s weakest memebers, the elderly, the infirm, the handicapped, the underprivileged, and the unborn. I think america is in a sad state when we are unable to cover and provide access to basic health care for all our citizens.
Misha – Harker Heights
Because of the recession my business has fell more than 50%. We may have to cut our supplemental coverage. That could make my wife’s infussions unavailable, which could mean her life would be cut short.
Hershel – Kerrville
I don’t go to the doctor, I can’t afford it.
Elaine – Hamilton
In my job I have observed first hand the damage done to good hard working folks, who can’t afford health insurance. I work for a mental health agency. There are people who can’t hold a job because of poor physical and or mental health. Since they are unable to work, they don’t have employer sponsored health insurance and they can’t afford private health insurance. One devastating health problem which robs many people of the ability to function as productive tax paying citizens and good parents is sleep apnea. It contributes to accidents, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and inability to concentrate. Sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can cause confusion, hallucinations and depression. It shortens lives. In the area where I live a sleep study costs $2,400. if an individual has insurance. It is $800. if they can pay cash. The machine to treat the condition is approximately $1,200. to $1,500. That’s not much to pay for saving someones ability to function or even to save someones life. There are people working for low wages and no benefits who can’t afford health insurance. Society still expects that these folks hold up their responsibilities of work, of family, of community. Many employers use low paid workers like disposable commodities. If a worker becomes unable to do his job, no problem, there are always others ready to replace him. If all Americans received good health care, especially diagnostic and preventive health care, all of society would benefit. Parent’s can’t parent when they are not well. Workers can’t be productive when they are not well. Students can’t achieve when they are not well. Society just doesn’t function when its members are not well. Health care is a luxury for millions of Americas. In the greatest country on this Earth, we don’t take care of our own. PS…. If our taxes are paying for politicians to have health insurance, then why can’t our taxes pay for our health insurance?
Katy – Comanche
I practiced cardiology for 45 yrs. and saw the horrors of the people who lost everything because they had no or inadequate insurance. We need a single payer plan that covers everyone, and allows the physician to continue in private practice. Expand medicare to be the universal coverage for all who need it.
Carlton – Temple
My husband had his first heart attack and open-heart surgury when he was 51 years old.He did not qualify for disability because they said he could work as a night watchman, although this would require walking outside around the business in all kinds of weather. A heart patient is advised to avoid extreme cold/hot weather exposure. Eventually he improved enough to work at less strenous jobs at very low wages. He subsequently had more heart problems requiring surgury four times. He then had a stroke requiring rehab., then he was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas which spread. He was never eligible for Supplemental Insurance due to his early health problems.He did have a cancer policy, thank goodness. We had tried to save money, but it didn`t take long paying the 20% not covered by his Insurance to wipe out our savings. My Husband died April 1st 2001. It took a few years to finish paying off the bills. Now here I am at just short of 70 years of age receiving $958.00 in Social Security (after $96.40 is taken out to pay for Medicare). I pay $162.55 for Conseco Supplemental Insurance, $24.53 for Cancer Insurance and $22.20 for Heart/Stroke Insurance monthly.I pay $494.00 for House Insurance, $384.00 for Auto Insurance plus Taxes on my house yearly. All of this plus my monthly Utility Bills which are getting more expensive monthly. I don`t want to give up any of my insurances because I know I would never qualify to get them back. I have had breast Cancer (stage 5 removed years ago) and I have a irregular heartbeat that I am on medication for. I cut back every way possible and just worry that it won`t be enough. I am still proud to be an American living in the USA.
Joyce – Brownwood
I am an registered nurse in oncology for 33 years and have seen far too many stories of personal bankruptcy in order to list here.
Georgia – Temple
My personal story about health care is simple: I have no health care! I can’t afford health insurance and even if I could, I would NOT get it because the health insurance/HMO industry is the most evil and crooked business on the planet (next to big oil). Its all about making outrageous profits by denying the patient the medical coverage that they need (and paid for). They (the insurer) will gladly take your money in exchange for their coverage but when it comes down to “making a claim”, they are always looking for any way out that they can find. Its wrong and immoral. Every time I have had to see my doctor, I have always had to pay out-of-pocket for the visit. I only hope i don’t get seriously ill or injured because if I do, I’m screwed!! Health care should be a basic right of life for EVERYONE. Instead, its treated as more of a PRIVILEGE for those who are able to afford it. Think about the logic behind our nation’s current health care system: How can someone who has never made more than $30,000 per year be expected to pay a $50,000-$100,000+ hospital bill?? It makes absolutely no sense!! Even a $5,000 hospital bill would be extremely difficult to eventually pay for the $30,000 worker. Not to mention that outstanding medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy in America. Our current system is criminal and we must stop the madness!! That is why I now refer to the Republican Party as the Party of Death. They are always fighting AGAINST health care reform and environmental policy, while fighting FOR putting a gun in the hands of every American, even criminals. Republican conservatism will cause the death of the greatest nation in the world if we don’t act now!!! THANK YOU!!!
Robert – Stephenville
I have been Chairman of the Board for our local Home & Hope Shelter and have witnessed the need for health care for both adults and children. All the adults had jobs but nonw paid for health care. The free clinic helped but other than this, they had to use the emergency room for all purposes. Texas has the largest number of uninsured children in the U.S. The presdient’s plans are viable and with the support of both Houses of Congress it can happen. This is not socialism but caring for our fellow man. This is the nation’s chance to show the world that we are taking care of all our citizens. Just saying no and using fear to change minds will not and cannot be the course that can be pursued.
Msgr. Weldon – Harker Heights
About 6 years ago my grandparents lost their home due to bankruptcy. They had to charge their medication and medical visits to their credit cards. Over time they could not afford the payments and had to file bankruptcy. My grandfather worked for 50 plus years and had to worry about his last years of his life losing everything he worked hard for. Both of my grandparents passed away about 4 years ago, to bad they could not witness a positive change that President Obama is striving for.
Babe – Harker Heights
My brother makes low wages and his compnay sponsored healthcare is too expensive therefoe he does not have health insurance or presciption drugs. He is waiting for Medicare but even then he will need a tie in. He needs blood pressure and cholestrol meds. My husband and I are retired and we have company fully paid healthcare and prescriptions and I hope that companies will not stop prviding these services because the government will take care of us. We are truely blessed and wished everyone work for a good company such as ours AT&T.
Norma – Kerrville
I personally have always had health care and have been blessed with health. My experience comes from watching friends that have serious diseases like heart trouble and mental illness who are not able to recieve care because they have pre-existing conditions. Also I have had experience with medical health care as a military dependent. In my opinion the military has socialized medicine in its best form. I recieved excellent care from the military and was not discriminated due to financial limitations. I lost my military dependence status in 2001 due to a divorce. I not only lost dependent health care from the military but also health coverage from my former spouse’s employer. I had limited income and I bought a catastropic health care policy with a $2500.00 deductable. Thank goodness I never needed to use the insurance because I did not get sick. I am now have medicare but I am one of the fortunate ones. I believe that our society requires that we take care of “the least of these”. It may cost some of us more but it will benefit the whole. Our citizens are worth it. In addition, if we had an affordable policy for all it would save businesses money becasue they wouldn’t have the enormous health care expense. Individuals would pay for their own health care as a tax or insurance. Right now, insurance companies have a monopoly on our health care system that leaves out many of our most needy citizens.
Mary Lou – Belton
Last week my wife got a prescription for Valtrex for a facial nerve irritation. We took the prescription to Walmart and almost faint when told the prescription would cost $306 for 21 tablets. Being familiar with generic medications I asked the pharmacist to give us a price on a generic brand.
After a minute or two the Pharmacist returned with a generic brand Acyclovir 400 mg tabs with a cost of $28.36 for 42 tablets. Being familiar with milligrams we asked the pharmacist to break it down to 200mg tablets. Again after a minute the Pharmacist returned and offered Acyclover 200 mg at a cost of $12.44 for 112 tablets which he would dispense if we had the prescription rewritten for the generic brand, which we complied by making a phone call.
We saved $293.56 by being familiar with generic brands which work just as well as name bands.
Folks this type of excess in the Healthcare System goes on all the time….I know I work there!
P.S. Before we left we asked the Pharmacist for a copy of the prescrition offers he made…… in case nobody belived me.
Arthur – Belton
Since last October (2008), I have been on sick leave and sick pool. I had a broken femur. My co-pay costs alone have put me in a very precarious financial situation. Now, I have exhausted my FMLA time and stand to lose my job. I have health insurance, but in order to keep it, I will now have to pay the full premium. I just hope and pray that I get well enough to go back to work soon, if I can still go back to my job!
Dale – Stephenville
I retired from univerity teaching and research in 1996. Since then my Univ. of MN BC/BS suppelmental policy costs have more than doubled to over $9000 for my wife and I. The U of MN Retirees Assn and MN Bd of Regents have worked diligently to contain insurance costs. The Association/Regents did reduce costs by $1000 per enrollee by having a U of MN staff member handle the paper work. There must by thousands more dollars in savings that can be realized by reducing the labor used to process claims. I am 75 years old and I support a SINGLE PAYER insurance plan.
Gary – Kerrville
After years of no health care, I now have a job with medical insurance, and am in debt to health care not paid by the insurance.
Chuck – Temple
My personal story is from my past. Back when I was young and my children very young. there were times when I had no money, no full time job. When a child was sick, we could not take them to a doctor or the hospital. We only could use whatever we had that we thought might help. Then just hold, love, and maybe shed a few tears and hope that our little one would get better and get well. Today, I watch those that are going through the same thing. They are unable to buy insurance because it takes all they make to live. Even they, in a very small way, as theey spend their small amount of money, help pay the cost of the healthcare that Congress gets, even those Congress people that are against the Healthcare plan that we need passed in 2009. I want every person that is against this present Healthcare plan to read this and remember that tender loving care and lots of tears does not heal a sick baby. Our nation, the good old US of A that we love sodearly can and must take care of its people as does some of the lesser nations.
James – Brownwood
Although my wife and I are covered through the Military Retiree Tricare system, our son is not. He works hard but cannot afford a health insurance policy, it’s just too expensive. He would have joined the military to serve a career and qualify for benefits, but he was medically disqualified due to a congenital birth defect of his right ear. Oh by the way, that was caused by the military health care system when they told my wife to keep taking the birth control pill when she thought she was pregnant. Now due to their bad advice, our son does not qualify for military service and would have to pay out of pocket for an expensive health care insurance policy.
Tomas – Kerrville
I am a 33 year old male who was insured when my back was injured. My health insurance benefits were not enough to cover my expenses and I was forced into debt to the point of bankruptcy. I am now uninsured and am very worried about the next accident that could send me over the edge completely. It is time to take control of our health care system and guarantee that ALL Americans can receive affordable health care when they need it.
John – Abilene
My husband, a small business owner, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer six years ago. We did not have health insurance because we could not afford the high premiums. He put off seeking medical help for months, although he knew there was something seriously wrong. After his death, the medical bills nearly forced me into bankrupcy.
Connie – Brownwood
I have been blessed to have a State job with fairly good health care insurance. My husband is a different story, when he lost his job, he had no coverage. We have searched different insurance compaines for help, they are just to expensive for my salary.
Wyester – Abilene
We pay almost 300 dollars a month for our family health care Coverage and that doesn’t even cover it all. Our deposit is 800 dollars, then we pay 20%. Since My kids and I have allergy’s really bad and need shots it costs a lot of money each year. My Oldest daughter and I also have asthma. Medication alone on that cost us 100 plus dollars. It is hard enough living pay check to pay check without this extra burden of medical bills. The sad thing is that we were told we have good coverage.
Jennifer – Copperas Cove
A number of years ago at a family picnic, I shattered my wrist playing baseball. After I picked myself up off the ground, I went to the hospital. With my hand literally disconnected from my arm … the nurse quickly confirmed the problem of a shattered wrist but said … “I’m sorry, you don’t have health insurance, so we can’t treat you”. With that I had no choice but walk away.
Art – Abilene
I am a perfect example of the uninsured in America. I have had to quit full-time work due to caring for an elderly Alzheimer parent at home and my COBRA benefits have expired now. I also have a history of multiple health problems and am unable to acquire affordable individual insurance–high risk pool insurance in Texas would run me almost $800 a month–who can afford that, not working full-time? I couldn’t even afford that when I was working full-time as a social worker. Preventative healthcare is imperative for me, as a cancer survivor, but I can’t afford basic lab costs, which run over $800, or just my office visits, with no insurance, are $250, and then $170 for follow-up. Some doctors will not even take you as a patient if you have no coverage. It can’t possibly be any worse in other countries. The insurance companies claim that they will be providing available, affordable coverage to everyone, but I don’t see it. I have researched every reputable health insurance company. How can we let insurance companies sell out our good health for their stockholders’ profits?
Sandra – Kerrville
As a health care worker, I see people everyday with no insurance. They pledge to pay their bills on their own, and yet without an “agreement to prices” from a health insurance company, they wind up paying inflated fees and penalties for being late. These are hard working people who are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Skye – Copperas Cove
I am an 100 percent service connected veteran, I know how important competent health insurance is. I receive great health care at the Temple Texas Veterans Hospital. I am so grateful that President Obama is announcing the three bedrock requirements for real health care reform. If we could implement some sort of real health care comparable to the Veterans system I believe that the American public would benifit as much as I have and my family. Thank you so much for trying.
Bruce – Lampasas
My sister, who I love dearly, is very ill.She can not pay for the care she really need. I often send her money to help pay the medical bill. Often she use money food to pay medical bills.
Gary – Kempner
I worked for a company for 19 years who provided health care for me and my family. On July 14, 2008, I was laid off. I contacted the insurance company regarding Cobra. I was told that the premium would be $1850 per month for me, my husband and my daughter. We could not afford this so we had to go without coverage for a while. Now we have minimum coverage and are deeply concerned if we have a major problem.
Suzanne – Burnet
My friend is trying to overcome brain cancer and is having trouble finding people to care for her. She is having to drive all over the states in hopes of getting help. She was “ordered” to go home within weeks after going though 20+hours of brain surgery. Her mom was her only nurse. My friend is only 36 years old. Healthcare shouldn’t be this difficult.
Mindy – Abilene
I am a forty-nine year old man. In reasonably good health. 3.5 year ago, I was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism. The aneurism was successfully repaired, but because of it I am unable to get insurance.
Russell – Stephenville
My son, age 24, just graduated from college. It took him longer than the alotted 4 years because he had to work to help pay his living expenses. His health care benefits ran out when he turned 23. He was covered under his father , a retired sargeant in the US Army and an emplooyed DOD staff member at this time. I am a school teacher. Neither of us makes enough money to pay for Alan’s healthcare. He doesnot yet have a job to pay his own health care costs. He is uninsured. One month aga my son was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic. Her has no money for the life saving and preserving insulin thay he must have. What is he supposwed to do? How will President Obama’s plan directly help my son? WE need help and we need it today. It is a matter of life or death for my son. HELP!!!!!! Thank you, I am a Barrack Obama supporter. I have hope that together we can change our world.:)
Diane – Copperas Cove
I am a nurse practitioner working at a VA in Texas. We are seeing more and more veterans who have lost their jobs and health insurance coverage that are now coming to the VA. We are happy to serve them but what about all the people who aren’t veterans that are losing their insurance coverage? I talk to people frequently who are not getting medications filled because of cost or postponing preventive or even needed care. As a parent, I have three adult children, one with no health insurance despite a full time job and two with fair coverage – my grandson’s birth used up all of the allowed coverage for the first year of his life. Thank goodness he was healthy. He’s almost two and my daughter is still paying for her portion of the delivery costs not covered by the insurance.
Mary – Temple
My husband and I retired early at 60 and 55. I have 10 years and my husband 5 years to pay for health insurance before medicare kicks in. We are paying over $1000.00 a month for insurance today and that does not include our co-pays and/or deductible. We are healthy and health conscious, so we are doing our part to keep our costs down. We are the lucky ones. We are able to afford it now, but it decreases the investments we have made for the rest our lives.
Rhonda – Kerrville
I have health insurance coverage through my employee. Unfortunately I can’t afford the prescription co-pays or the deductable. So, I avoid going to the Doctor. I had the flu a few weeks ago. Fortunately I am relatively healthy, so I did not die. It could of been the swine flu, but I could not afford to go to the doctor, so we will never know. How many others had this flu that are not counted in the ’swine flu’ epidemic because they could not afford to get medical care? My mother fell and split her head open last month. She is 81 so fortunately is covered under medicare. But, the e.r. is so understaffed, we waited over two hours before they took her in, and then it was another hour before she was actually treated. We spent a total of five hours in the e.r. When relating this story to others, they say this is about the standard e.r. wait time. I felt like we were in a third world country. Before long I won’t even be able to afford to pay the premiums for the minimal medical insurance that I do have.
Judith – Brownwood
1. As a military family member we traveled abroad. During my first pregnancy in 1983, I wanted to purchase medical care to ensure I have an obstetrician during my term. Since I had already received information I was pregnant (predisposed illness) I could not get health care insurance. During the initial pregnancy I was diagnosed with lupus and ludial phase defect, it took 3 miscarriages for me to receive proper care form a obstetrician to final have a full term pregnancy and a live birth. 2. In November 2007 I purchased dental, vision, and medical through our companies group care plan although we were covered under my husband as military dependents. I was trying to secure health care for my daughter who would be graduating from college in the spring. Initially I was told the coverage would cover her until she was 23 years old and 11 months, but when I actually selected the plan each time her birthday was entered in the computer the response stated she did not quality. She would be 23 years old in approximately seven months and would have no medical coverage. I kept the dental and vision because it added to our tri-care prime. It is taking two types of insurance coverage to alleviate a high out of pocket cost during visits for my husband, son, and me. I am only paying in increments instead of upfront. 3. In 1989 my daughter was diagnosed with an severe intolerance to the sun and UV rays. Since that time she had not been ill. Last year (2007) 2 days from her 23rd birthday she was stricken with the side effect of this disability and also within two days she was no longer going to be able to receive medical care as a military dependent. She was a recent college graduate, no job, and no health care coverage (medical, dental, or vision). During our time in the emergency room she received several x-rays ct scan, MMR, and a spinal tap. The attending physician wanted to rule as much as possible because her side effects were such a rarity. Once she was treated and we left the emergency room, I immediately began searching for affordable health care via the internet. It took one insurance turn down for me to realize in order for her to have any type of coverage, I needed to have selected memory. One question asked had she been in for emergency care, received a spinal tap, MMR, etc in the past 12 months. Once I answered yes, I was told she could not qualify until disclosure could determine if this was an existing illness and coverage was subject to approval. In 24 hours my child was not going to have any medical coverage!!! A few hours and hundred of dollars later she at least had coverage until she was gainfully employed. February 2009 she was employed and now is a part of her company group medical plan.
Teresa – Copperas Cove
I have just found out that my health care insurance payments will double in September. They will then be higher than my house note. The hospital coverage will be equal to one half of my retirement annuity. So with the house note and insurance payments, I will have the princely sum of $32 to meet my other needs. My husband just lost his job. So, which is more important? Paying my house note, having enough money to pay my other bills, including prescription drugs, or paying for health coverage?
Janet – Kerrville
I am a nurse. Last year i took care of a patient in the hospital who needed extended hospital stay but the insurance company could not pay his care behold 3-day period. As i discharged him , my heart was sinking because i knew he looked sicker than when he came in and needed more care. So i directed him to ER to be re-admitted again so that his insurance can pay for him. Sure enough he was re-admitted and took care of him again. It broke my heart to know that my voice and actions are all dictated by the insurance companies.
Julianne – Temple
I am almost age 65, and have always had health care provided by my employers. Last year I took a chance with a company in its first year of building its business, and the economy caused it to fail. I am still employed, and a few of us are trying to get it going on a smaller basis, but I have been without health care since November, 2008. Last fall, I had an almost undiagnosed pulmonary embolism, and have been hospitalized previously for blood clots in my legs. Additionally, one of my prescriptions does not come in generic form, and costs $434/month. I am taking a blood thinner for which I should be having bimonthly tests for appropriate levels, but have not had one in six months. I am very concerned about being unable, at my age, to have appropriate annual screenings, or the required periodic tests of blood thinner levels. But since I am getting paid less, and not on a regular schedule, I certainly can’t afford it. I favor HMO type care, which provides for the preventive measures which keep people out of the emergency rooms and hospitals. I cared for my mother for the past 12 years before she passed away in 2007, and she was frequently hospitalized or had to go to the emergency room as a result of Myasthenia Gravis, and they were always full of people getting care for routine illnesses for themselves and their children, because it was their only choice for health care. We need immediate and dramatic changes, and I personally advocate for something along the lines of the Canadian or UK care, which limits the fees of doctors and specialists, which even our current medical insurance does not do. In my community of 120,000, the medical practitioners are floating in money, buying expensive property, leveling and building what are virtually mansions, and you cannot get an apppointment as a new patient with hardly any doctor of any kind in town, and there are many. My mother was fortunate to have retired with a health care plan which provided prescription, dental and eye care, in addition to medical health care. But I and most of the “baby boomers” will not likely have those available. PLEASE TAKE ACTION.
Dianne – Abilene
In less than two years I have had a heart attack, a concussin requering brain surgery and breast cancer that had spread to the lymph, breast surgery, chemo. I am doing remarkably well. I have medicare and a good suplement. I have friends who can not afford the payment for supplement insurance. They are not having necessary tests or treatment. My grandson has type one Diabetis. He graduates from high school next week. If we can keep him in school, he will be covered by his father’s insurance for a few years. He cannot survive without medical care. If his father were to lose his job, his coverage would stop. His father, my son, is a school teacher. His insurance premiums takes a big chunk out of his check and the coverage is minimal. There must be thousands of people in the U. S. with worse stories than my family’s problems.
Geraldine – May
It’s simple — I live in Europe. I see how real health care works on a daily basis. The U.S. system doesn’t work and it needs to change.
Catherine – Kerrville
I am personally fortunate enough to have retired from a U.S. Government Agency that used to provide and still oversees my health insurance. But in my volunteer work I see many families with flawed access to health care. If you want horror stories, I can give you lots of them. It is unconscionable that we are the only First World country that does not provide adequate health care to all of our citizens. I am convinced that the only workable solution, the one that has already been implemented by every other civilized nation, is “Single Pay”. As near as I can tell, that is not even on the table. We will have to get there eventually, but in the meantime I am afraid we will just continue to squander more of our resources and the quality of our citizens life. I am disheartened that so many of our countries leadership, not to mention many of my friends, are so determined to subsidize the insurance industry. We have “Single Pay” Police Departments, Fire Departments, Libraries, and education, not to mention armed forces. Ask your congressman how he or she would like an insurance company CEO deciding the level of Police protection or Fire Department response he was eligible for.
George – Stephenville
I am a surgical oncologist and strongly believe that no one is a society like ours should lack healthcare coverage.
Mohsen – Temple
I & my husband are Texans. My husband was a 26 year firefighter in Abilene, Texas. He was hurt on the job, in the line of duty, and forced to take a medical retirment at the age of 46. We bought property in Honduras and while maintaining a home in Cisco Texas, for all intensive purposes we live in Honduras due to health care costs. We would like to be back living in the U.S. full time. But my husband cannot get any kind of insurance which will cover his pre-existing condition (severe back and neck injuries). Why, as hard working Americans, who paid our bills, raised our children and worked both of our lives in public service can we not afford to live in the U.S.? Because of the cost of health care. Ridiculous.
Cathryn – Cisco
I have worked in the mental health field for 30 years, thank goodness for the public mental health centers! However, they are underfunded. I have witnessed the pain and suffering people who are not insured (many who are the working class) …not able to afford medications for hypertension, diabetes, seizure disorders just to name a few. Also, dental issues are a major concern as well because medicaid and medicare due not cover dental for adults. Think about that the next time you have a major dental problem and just imagine losing your teeth one at a time to massive decay. I am blessed with health insurance but my costs keep going up, what my company pays is going up and quality of my coverage goes down. Prescription drug costs are outrageous! I am a strong supporter of some type of health coverage (including dental and medications) for all Americans, affortable Health care should be a right for all, not just for the lucky! Thank you for addressing these issues, our lifes and the quality of our lifes depend on it.
Roberta – Lampasas
i remember waiting for 16 hours in the emergency room to see a doctor because i couldn’t afford health insurance. my friend here in abilene had to quit her job so she would be poor enough to get medicaid. She is very ill with a number of ailments.
Steve – Abilene
My husband, David, and two-year old son, Sam, were in a one car rollover in October of ‘08. Sam had a skull fracture and required stitches to his chin. The Life-Flight for each of them was over $15,000 each! My health insurance paid, after my auto insurance paid over $4000. AFTER they paid, they decided they overpaid and have asked the helicopter company to refund them more than $6000 and expect me to pay the difference. This does not include the $1000 co-pay the health insurance is requiring. Their “reason” for wanting a refund is that “the service was above reasonable costs, and there for should not have been paid.” This was the only service, to get my injured family to a hospital, available. Why do health insurance companies get to decide what is a “reasonable” cost? When it comes to a life or death situation, the cost should not matter!
Andrea – Copperas Cove
In 1979,while teaching in Plano, TX, a card hit me broadside. My head brke the windshield, and yes, I was wearing my seatbelt. I went into gran-mal seixure-died 3 times. Afer a lenghty stay at Medical City in Dallas-on life support for five days, and extensive rehabte to teach me how to walk, talk, ect. I was released. It took several years to find the anti-seizure medicine that would control me, I am so proud to say that I have been seizure free since 1990. I am a retired teacher so I insurance through the Texas Teacher Retirement, but it cost $385.00 a month. I have also had a stroke, paralizing my right side. Once again with rehab., I am blessed to say I am totally recovered. I am alone w/no children. A few years ago, I tried to get into a retirement center close to where my oldest brother lives. No one will have me-pre-exhisting conditions. Not fair, right? I do not know what will come me. It is so scary. If you can not help me, I pray you can others.
Susan – Eastland
No-one in my family (myself, my husband, and our 5 year old and 1 year old sons) has health coverage. We have more than $5000 in assets so none of us qualify for medicaid (I applied for the kids, and was rejected), and we don’t make enough money to afford insurance. We pay out of pocket for the kids to go to the Doctor, but neither of us parents get checkups or any preventative care. If anything the least bit serious were to happen, we would lose everything we have, and then I guess we would qualify for medicaid.
Bridget – Llano
I’m a retired Marine so my health care is provided but I believe this country needs health care for everybody. Please vote yes for health care reform. Semper Fi
Douglas – Copperas Cove
My son is a small-business owner. He cannot afford the kind of health insurance he needs personally needs, much less any kind of plan that would protect his employees. A major illness or accident could put him out of business!
Thomas – Brownwood
Being self employed our health care costs began a steep climb to where we were paying over a thousand a month for Kaiser Permanente Insurance which I finally gave up and had no insurance for over three years until I turned 65 and now have Medicare.
Virginia – Kerrville
My 45 year old daughter who is a single mom raising a 17 year old daughter has lost her job and her health insurance. She is in desperate need of health insurance as she could not afford Cobra.
Ellen – Coleman
I wish I could pay for health care. My husband is a painter and I am going to school. They said that we make to much money. I really wish we did but the truth is we live from check to check. We have a three year old and when she gets sick we just give her over the counter meds. We got a lot of bills that we have not paid, yet. I hope that you guys can find a way to give people like us some kind of health care. Thank you for your time.
Francis – Abilene
I am an insuarnce agent. It it very sad to watch people who are not offered a health plan at work try to purchase an individual plan. They just can’t afford it. It they have any preexisting health conditions they can’t get coverage for it. Most people feel very helpless and are very angry at their situation. I’m lucky my husband works for DOD. We get to shop our plan every year and have great coverage. I totally agree with Mr. Obama’s thoughts that the country could copy DOD’s health plan.
Tina – Lampasas
I work in the healthcare field so see 1st hand but know people who can’t afford insurance and see them sometime get turned away; I don’t really have a personal story but many of us are a few paychecks from not being able to afford health insurance, if you don’t have the right type of insurance or a life threating event occur, than you’ll in that boat also. So for America’s sake we need HealthCare Reform.
Melvin – Kerrville
I agree with the President on the three principles of healthcare. As an Army Officer, the military guarantees that my health comes first. It’s time to give our civilian brethren the same opportunities
James – Kempner
I am 62, and now disabled, and I am finally able to get medical care, after waiting two long years upon becoming disabled, through Medicare, but during my employments through the years, I either had no insurance or company-provided insurance with no medical care for pre-existing conditions. Buying a health insurance policy on my own was cost prohibitive. Employer-provided insurance deductibles and co-pays rose year after year, which often led to difficult choices when deciding to get medical care or not for various medical problems through the years. I had no insurance when I had a kidney removed due to cancer after having a hyterectomy, which led me to bankruptcy. My degenerative disk in my upper back and my injury to my lower back have always been uncovered because they were determined to be pre-existing conditions.
Patricia – Kerrville
My husband and I adopted our second child who has a cleft lip/palate. At the time of her adoption she was almost three and had not had her soft palate repaired. When we first approached our employer (a municipality) about coverage, we were told that a palate repair would not be covered for a year because it was a pre-existing condition. After much discussion they relented because “it is the right thing to do”. Emily has since had two surgeries, one to close her palate and one to repair her nose. Both time BCBS who manages our health care plan denied the claims on her surgeries. At first they were called “elective” surgeries. Then the physician “coded the procedures incorrectly to allow coverage”. On the most recent surgery BCBS relented in paying the surgeons and the anesthesiologist but repeatedly declined payment to the hospital for the operating room. Every time we called we had to provide the same information over and over. Since my husband and I work at the same employer we have no other choice for insurance. And to add insult to injury, we are not allowed to pay for a family policy. One of us has to pay a family policy to cover the kids. The other has to pay for an individual policy. This not only requires double premium payments but also doubles our deductibles and out of pocket expenses. Every year this results in a discussion on who plans to be sick or require surgury during that particular year and we make sure Emily is on their policy since the out of pocket payments for her speech therapy alone is thousands of dollars a year. Though we are fortunate in that we can afford these large out of pocket costs and double charges, many who work with us cannot.
Theresa – Abilene
I am at this time trying to start a small business at home after working at a health care facility for over ten years. I hod=ld my breath every day, as I still have two children in school. When I left my job, the insurance got a hold of me and stated I could keep my care for almost five hundred dollars a month. There is no way I can pay that, so we have no insurance at all. If the price was lower I could pay
Kathleen – Belton
My husband and I cannot afford health care insurance. We are self-employed now and my husband has a pre-existing health issue that would cost more than we can afford.
Kathy – Llano
I worked for 30 years in mental health care, both public and private. Too often, my patients lacked access to healthcare because they did not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, but could not purchase health insurance because they were deemed uninsurable or could not afford the premiums. It is a disgrace that the wealthiest nation in the world does not offer affordable healthcare to all its citizens. Pres. Obama’s initiative is long overdue.
Gloria – Kerrville
I recently had multi level back surgery and fortunately have afforded a supplement to my Medicare policy. If I hadn’t had that supplement, I can’t imagine the costs I would have incurred. I think of all the people I know that are not yet on Medicare much less a supplement and they put off needed surgeries and don’t receive proper care because of costs they can’t handle. Right now a typical individual policy seems to cost more per month than what it covers! If people complain about “Socialism” and don’t have any health care due to costs, how can they complain about something that would give them some help, no matter what it’s called!
Nancy – Lampasas
Dearest President Obama, I do share with the millions of Americans that change must come soon and I will pray that the principles of this reform be put into action. I would never have thought that in my lifetime that one person would make or even could make a difference, but you have given the American people real hope and with that hope this will happen. My recent diagnosis of Fibromyalgia has been overwhelming and frustrating, especially in not knowing what was wrong. Over the past two years I’ve had several doctors, tests, prescriptions, two emergency room visits; three days stay in the hospital and countless days off work. The whole body pain is unexplainable and now this ongoing medical need. I am fifty-five years old and have always been proactive, preventive with my health, yearly physicals, routine tests etc. During the last seventeen years of employment (nine year at one company & eight years at my current company) I’ve never called in sick, not one time. My current boss couldn’t believe it so she verified with our Human Resource Dept. I always had health insurance but the increase cost of health care is getting out of my reach. When I go to the doctor I don’t want to ask “how much ?” or “is this covered ?”. My reply lately has been “I can’t afford it” or “it’s not in my budget.” I’ve been force to put a price tag on my health. My heart goes out to those that don’t have insurance at all. I want the men and women of Congress to put themselves in our shoes as if their families and friends were in need of health insurance. They are public servants elected to serve the American people; they must have courage to do what’s right, and to really consider the people that they serve. Bless you!
Charlotte – Copperas Cove
I have rheumatoid arthritis – had it since 1980. I have taken lots of different drugs, now am taking Humira. About $1200 a month – injection every two weeks I give myself. Most people without insurance would be able to afford this drug. It is INSANE. Right now I have good insurance with my employer – $3000 deductible, which I meet with my first 90 day prescription. My employer helps me pay the $3000 out of my paycheck during the year. What happens if I lose my job? Or my employer decides they cannot afford this insurance next year? I am 54 years old. What happens when I retire and have no employer health insurance?? I try not to think about it and have faith.
Kathy – Llano
Working at Sallie Mae you hear plenty of heart wrenching stories of how parents would like to send their kids to school but they can’t because they have to pay for health care that is supposed to be covered by their insurance company. Although they don’t even find out what was covered until they complete ther credit check for school loans. Imagine being on the other end of the phone listening to grow men get emotional when they are told that their student might not be able to attend school the coming semester. Something must be done. How is it that a person can try to make responsible choices for their family and they still get nowhere. No one is asking for a handout just a little help!
Rashonda – Copperas Cove
I disagree with people who say that 80% of Americans with health insurance are satisfied. Since I retired from teaching in August 2007, I have gone from paying about $45 a month through my employer to $554 a month on my own. When I retired at the age of 62, I chose COBRA so I would not have to have a medical review. My husban and I both were covered for up to $78l a month. After moving from CA to TX, we had to get new health insurance because the plan I had was not in TX. I was denied the same coverage that I had in CA because of pre-existing medical problems from several private insurers. My husband turned 65 and was able to get on Medicare with no problems. I was left with choosing the high risk pool (Texas Health Insurance Pool). Since I joined in March 2009, my insurance has gone up $40.
Alma – Copperas Cove
I have many friends who do not have any health care at all. I am very fortunate, but my friends are not. Please reform healthcare. Look at countries that have exemplary healthcare – it can be done!
Alexandra – Harker Heights
My Colonial Penn Cancer Policy cost $38.00 when I first took it out. It now cost $397 a month. I have retired and it costs nearly half my income to keep it. They have asked me if I want to discontinue it. Cancer took my mother. Upon retirement, I was denied insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield due to a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes. I had to take COBRA to have any type of health insurance and it costs close to $500 per month. After utilities, I don’t have much left to buy food. Insurance companies are a rip off and have reduced my quality of life due to the high costs.
Linda – Brownwood
Being a member of the US Army, I know the importance of good and comprehensive health care for my family and me. I support universal health care that is affordable and does not diminish choice.
William – Fort Hood
My story is much like President Obama’s. My mother died in 1983 at the age of 64 from lung cancer. She did not have health insurance because she had a history of cancer and could not afford the elevated premiums that came with that history. The final outcome might not have been different but she and my family would have been spared a lot of stress as we wondered if earlier diagnosis and treatment could have helped. My parents worked very hard all of their lives, paid their bills, followed the rules,etc. America can do better than this.
Carol – Llano
Just about everyone in my family has a story that reflects the need for healthcare reform. I am 39 years old, a single mother, and full-time college student. At my age, I need medical assistance for a variety of reasons. But I’m not eligible for medicaid and can’t afford health insurance. So I’m left to either suffer or pay for over-the-counter meds that really don’t help me. My oldest son is 23 and working but his employer does not offer health care coverage. His girlfriend is also working and has many ailments, including diabetes. She is in need of medical care and prescription drugs. Her life may depend on it. And yet she can’t afford to go to the doctor. My father was a veteran and retired federal employee. And yet when my mother was dying from cancer, his medical insurance and medicare still did not cover the costs of the care my mother needed. When my mother died, my father was left with enormous medical bills and feared losing the family home. A veteran and retired federal employee has earned the right to not have to have those kinds of sgtresses in their lives. He shouldn’t have had to worry about how he was going to pay for the hospice for my mother, or the nursing home before that. Please help us! Most of the citizens of this great country can’t afford the medical care we so greatly need.
Noelle – Harker Heights
About 20 years ago, my husband was involved in a horrible car accident. He had his left ankle broken, his right knee was injured and his right hip was nearly crushed completely. All of this required major surgery. For three months he was in a body cast. My husband was informed that as he got older, the wounds would need repair and that he would be in lots of pain. Well, that day has arrived and now we have no healthcare whatsoever. My husband had to quit working about five years ago because standing for long periods of time became too unbearable. He has seen the doctor that repaired him years ago and he recommended a hip replacement. So has our family doctor. Of course, with much prodding and guilt, my husband finally applied for disability. We have yet to hear a decision on this but we are not optimistic. It is his second time applying since he was denied the first time. My husband is only 39 years old, but feels and walks like an 80 year old. We have two boys ages 7 and 3 and everyday my husband is depressed because he can’t do the things he would like with our boys. On a good day he can take them out in the yard or fishing for a few hours, but then he pays for it for three days. This is putting a huge strain on our relationship. He puts on a good show for our kids but I know how he feels. His depression and constant pain are there. I am employed at the local high school but I cannot afford the health insurance for he and I because I am the only one working and we need every bit of that to buy food and pay what bills we can. Our children are currently on Medicaid so that is one less worry for now. About a year ago I found out I was diabetic and the cost of testing strips is ridiculous. No wonder many minorities who are diabetic don’t take care of themselves. The cheapest package I can buy right now is 50 testing strips for $32.oo. If I test my blood sugar levels as often as I should, this package will last a week and a half. It is unbelievable.
Tammi – Mason
I am a nurse practitioner, a patient advocate. I have seen drug companies come in a nd wine and dine clinics and docs to have them prescribe their meds, I have seen insurance companies make us and patients jump through hoops to get treatments and studies okayed and paid for. As a pharmacy tech 20 years ago I remember people coming in to see how much a rx would cost, then folding it up and shaking their head because they cant afford it. We as healthcare professionals are already being told what meds we can (by formularies) prescribe, which tests we can and cannot order. The people who accuse you of advocating socialized medicine with beaurocrats ruining the dr/patient just dont want you to take the power away from insurance companies, drug companies,and hospital administrators. I see patients who are insured and still dont have the money to pay their portion, those with no insurance who wait until they are horribly sick to come in, or worse, go to the ER because they are so far out of touch with the healhcare community that they dont even know of any other place to go! As an added notr, in 2004 when GW was re4-elected, I know o0f one local Merck drug rep who went to Ohio to stump for his campaign; the day after the election, a drug rep was in our office and said he had just been given a 4 year contract, when questioned about it, he declared that yea, now that Bush had been re-elected.
Irma – Abilene
We need more affordable, preventive health care for all Americans. I am a veteran, who was promised in 1980 when I was commissioned, that I would have free health care for the rest of my life. I served 20+ years, and I do not have free care. It is cheap, in comparison to many others who are not veterans, but still, a broken promise. We have 2 sons. One is on his own now, and even tho he is a college grad, he cannot find a fulltime/ benefit providing job. Therefore we are helping him pay the $112/month premium for minimal health care. he has not used any medical services yet (since Nov 2007 when he was no longer allowed to be under our TRICARE Prime coverage). I pray he stays healthy. He had a “pre-existing” condition, a mild depression, which is being treated successfully with medication. BUT none of that treatment, including the meds, are covered by insurance. The meds cost $90 a month (on a discount program thru Walgreens). It is just unfathomable for a young man of 24 to have to deal with these problems, not be able to afford his own coverage, and his “condition” is not covered under any program. It is not a serious condition. But the medical field and insurance companies have put a stigma on mental health issues. Even the slightest, most minor of ones. It is sad. I still have another son to think about, when he becomes too old to be covered under our insurance plan. My husband and I are both retired U.S. Army officers. We are fine, but we should not have to pay for covering our grown sons, because it is unaffordable for them. It takes away their pride and independence, when they have to depend on their parents for these sort of things. It cripples individuals, families and this nation. And we should provide more PREVENTIVE care. So people would not get into these medical situations that are draining our system: obesity, heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholestrol. We need to get healthy, as a nation. We need to follow some Europeans’ or Canadians’ examples. Look outside the box! Help us get better more affordable, more choices, less bureacratic care.
Yvonne – Llano
I’m a contractor working at Fort Hood. Occassionally contracts do expire and one finds themselves unemployed. As a single parent with a child with aultism and epilepsy this is devasting – medicine alone for one month supply of Topamax costs over month $500 uninsured supply, ouch. My other option is to get a job in Austin for consistancy but even that’s not guaranteed as we learned in 2001 mass layoffs. This is why I do contracting. Also 2008-2009, many employers are still letting folks go in Austin and accross the country. I find it rediculous that unmeployed folks have better options than someone how works. Becuase of my son’s condition, and shear expenses involved with healthcare I’ve shamefully had to apply for government assistance, in my opinion if you work and are temporarily unemployment don’t even think about applying it’s a harrassing and embarrassing system that takes 90 days or more to qualify for, by that time your already back working and bored all the sacrifices needed to make sure my son didn’t have seizures becuase of lack of medicine. There are just too many reasons to list in this 1.5″ X 6″ text box. I’m very disappointed in America when it comes to healthcare, layoffs vs CEO bonuses( another topic that doesn’t make any sense at all unless you’re a global company and can care less about America). Other than that, it’s the best place on the planet. God bless America! Because of my son’s condition, my credit report suffers tremendously – I simply give up.
Georgy – Killeen
My mother has worked all her life very hard jobs and sometimes multiple jobs. Today, she has few choices, barely sufficient and expensive health coverage (only because she has finally found another tough job) and I don’t even know if there is life insurance anymore. She has many disorders that seem to run in the family, and an equally long list of things wrong that we in the family can’t give her much educated support on. She adamantly supports anything a republican says so long as it is said loud enough so I will not mention names or specific information. I just believe that it is ridiculous that unless working, she has absolutely no coverage and ten pill prescriptions to keep filled and take each day. I don’t know if she goes and gets a women’s yearly to screen for female cancers, I don’t know how much she now lets go unchecked due to money problems. I voted for President Obamas policy plans, new ideas, and sheer driven attitude toward this because that is where this starts; with our leaders attitude. I am astounded at the “put it on the backburner,” attitude that some Americans have towards everything progressive. I will be happy to contribute my voice for this, and all other policy ideas that our Mr. President thinks can make the changes people voted for. I am not interested in the slander, the rumors, the anti-Obama ads and horrible lies heard in my particular state (by our representatives no less.) It may seem impossible in Texas, but we study policy only around here. We are a military Texan family; we drive a ford, own a gun, have voted for republicans before, and we support the president.
Monica – Fort Hood
As a single mother, I have come to know how excessively expensive it is to purchase medical coverage through an employer for anything more then single coverage. To pay a premium that covers myself and one dependent costs half a paycheck. For such an essential precaution, this cost is unacceptable.
Tara – Abilene
I have two sons still in college that is no longer covered under my husband’s health plan. One early Saturday morning I got a call from my youngest son saying that he felt so bad that he thought he needed to go to the emergency room. Knowing that he did not have health coverage he just did not know what to do. As a mother I couldn’t tell him, son I’m sorry you can’t go, you don’t have medical insurance. So, not knowing what was wrong and the severity of it, I urged him to just go. Weeks later he received numerous bills in the sum of over $4000 for one emergency room visit. Now, he says it doesn’t matter how sick he is he will never do it again. Health professional should be revered for their undying dedication to their perpective fields and should be compensated accordingly. However, the price one pays for the care provided has to be reasonable, some way.
Mary Louis – Harker Heights
I am 57, a 31 1/2 yr veran Firefighter. My current ankle injury will cause me to retire. My salery then around $3,300 a month gross. Right now it will cost over $400 a month to continue my medical insurance, with costs going up each year while my income shall be fixed. I hope you can do something to curb the rise in rates.
Fred – Abilene
I work in a high school as an athletic trainer. meaning I take care of all the athletes and their injuries. Many of my athletes do not have health insurance and when they get hurt they can not pay to have doctors check out their injuries. Many of them will sit with injuries that keep them out of play because they do not have the money to get the health care they need. I do what I can but it’s hard when your athletes can not get x-rays, or MRI’s. I would like to see these kids covered so that they can reach their goals and dreams in sports.
Teresa – Granite Shoals
I am a teacher in Texas. I married my wife in 2005 and received three beautiful children. When I was single, I only paid $32 a month for health care. Now that I have to have a family plan I am paying close to $900 in health care a month. This has put a crunch in our budget and makes things difficult to make ends meet each month. I am tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Please make health care more affordable for your fellow citizens of this great country.
Jack – Killeen
I have Charcot Marie Tooth Syndrome which is a neuromuscular peripheral syndrome. I am healthy as otherwise, never get sick, yet i can not get health insurance at a regular insurance company because i am considered a risk. I have only been in the hospital for my children to be born and for lysis of adhesions from the scars from my C-sections. I don’t get sick…i just have trouble with walking and balance. It amazes me…the lop sided way insurance companies treat people. There is nothing that can be done for Charcot Marie Tooth but cope with it daily which i do very well.
Sharon – Abilene
In 1995 my late wife got cancer, in her last days I had to put her in a hospice, I paid for her stay there. I did not know what my Mail Handler Insurance would pay. My wife lasted three weeks in there, then she died. I married two years later, we left El Paso, Tx. Moving to Killeen, Tx. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service with 18 years and 21 years in the U.S. Army. My new wife needed a Heart. My Mailhandler Insurance had a cap of $350,000, So I was lucky Tricare military had no cap. My wife got a Heart on 2 Feburary 2003. She is doing fine, she got sick her medicine cost close to $1,500.00 for 2 or 3 months. Tricare paid for it, we had to stay in Austin, Tx., for 6 week after getting her heart. By the grace of God we made it! If I had not retired from the Army there would not have been enough money to pay for a heart.
Milton – Killeen
I have had 2 high school classmates die of cancer because they had no health insurance and by the time they got into the “indigent system” for treatment it was too late.
Diane – Granite Shoals
I am a DAV(disabled veteran)and I broke my wrist doing something I should have thought about before atttempting it , but I went to my local E.R. on Saint Patrick’s Day and was told I could not be seen for up to 8-10 hours, because they were slamme with people. I asked could I go to the other local emeregency room at ARMC and they said don’t bother they are just as full. My son and daughter -in-law had taken me into the ER and they said they would drive me the two hour trip to the nearest VA hospital, at Big Spring, Texas. I held my unsplinted arm on a pillow the whole trip to Big Spring VA hospital and as soon as I got to the ER they gave me immediate treatment and an injection for the pain, since I had ben refused this med or anything for pain at the local ER in Abilene. I was told by the ER doctor in Big Spring that they ha no orthopedic doctor or department. So they got an ambulance to transfer me back to Abilene by this time the next morning at 6:00A.M. The ARMC was the only hospital that would accept me as a VA patient and they finally splinted my wrist and arm. I am a nurse and very well equipped to handle emergencies but this was rediculous care. The Hendrick Hospital said I left AMA. and my son went to the triage nurse and said I was going to be taken to the VA hospital.
Deedra – Abilene
My younger brother works two part-time jobs an does not have health insurance qualify for health insurance with either emploer. He delayed going to the Doctor when he was sick and now he has a serious medical problem and that will cost more than if he had paid to see the Doctor when he was first feeling sick.
Robert – Cottonwood Shores
I have a friend that has health care,but doesn’t cover certain medical issues.I think every one should Have health care.It should be afforable for everyone base on the family size and income. No one shouldn’t be stress out because they can’t afford the medical they need.I know how it feel to have serious medical problems. Because I went through cancer.I had 8-9 months of chemo. It was very stressful. I work the entire time I was getting treated for chemo. First I was told that the treatment wasn’t cover. But I was one of the people that did have 2 insurance. If I didn’t,I don’t know would I be here now. I been in remission since Nov-2002. My heart goes out to any person that doesn’t have health care. If your income is less then your medical bills,what should you do? If you lost your job,You lost your health care. So it should be some way that the Government or someone that can help every American citizen. Every one should be able to pick their own Doctor of their choice. I pray for every one that doesn’t have health care and the ones that have healthcare which cost too much.
Shirley – Killeen
My mom and mother-in-law opt out on certain medications (although needed) due to cost.
Michael – Fort Hood
Iam a 37 year-old student at a hospital and I work part-time to support my two daughters. My children qualify for CHIPS and medicaid, but unless I become pregnant,I have no healthcare insurance at all. I am unable to afford any healthcare and had a breast cancer scare 6 months ago. If it were not for the Women’s Alliance in my community that offers free mammograms to people who can’t afford them, I would still be suffering with a aggresssive case of mastitis and worried that I had inflammatory breast cancer, since I did exhibit all of the symtoms. I know several people in my position who are trying to better themselves by returning to school,only to be left without adequate health care or the financial means to pay for medical treatment of any kind. Therefore, these individuals are forced to go to the outrageously overpriced emergency departments of their local hospitals for non-emergency illnesses and injuries. I believe our country is full of people like me who “fall through the cracks”, and end up owing large hospital bills for minor illnesses and injuries. Universal Healthcare would remedy the need for non-emergency patients to go to trauma centers and allow those departments to lower costs, ensuring payment to the healthcare facilities that are taking losses due to people who can’t afford to go to a family doctor because of the inability to pay.
Monica – Abilene
My husband is a disabled veteran, we still have two small boys living at home. Our youngest is Austic. I am a Cancer survivor, I also suffer from Ostioarthritis, amoung other health problems. My husband can go to the Veterans Hospital for treatment, and my two sons qualify for medicade, but we are too poor to afford health inusrance for me. I can’t affort the $100 for a one time visit to a Doctor to renew my medication which costs $55+ per month, I can’t afford to see a dentist or get treatment for my high blood pressure! I fear that I may have a heart attack, or stoke or even worse have my tumars grow back and die of cancer! I want change so that I can grow old and see my little boys graduate from High School and Collage! Thank you and God Bless!
Deborah – Fort Hood
In 1984, I was a single parent, working full-time at a local hospital in the Psychiatric Unit, and going to the local Jr. College full-time to become a LVN (licensed vocational nurse). Part of my job was to go to the emergency room to assess patients for admission if they complained of mental/emotional problems. Although the hospital was a non-profit, if a patient did not have insurance, they were oftentimes referred to the nearest state-run facility which was three hours away. I wonder how many actually made that drive? I was a nurse for 20 years and during that time, I often saw firsthand the difference in healthcare between those with money, and those with none. I have seen patients discharged because they maxed out their insurance coverage, and have seen patients “fired” by their doctors solely due to non-payment of their bill. I have seen abuses of the system by patients at times of course, but I have also seen manipulation of the same system by the companies providing the services. Mostly I have seen the heartbreak of unnecessary complications due to patients waiting too long to seek medical attention because they had no means of paying for their care. I am now disabled due to a progressive hearing loss as well as other medical issues (nurses often take better care of their patients than they do themselves); but I am one of the lucky few, I can afford the medications that I take and my doctor works with me to keep my healthcare cost down. More and more I am seeing the ravages of a broken medical system where costs are escalating and benefits are shrinking and the ones caught in the middle are the patients. We are now at the point where even those with coverage don’t go to the doctor because they can’t afford the co-pay after paying their monthly premium. In America, that is shameful. A human life should and is worth more than any company’s bottom line. I am not for a socialized medical system such as they have in Canada or the U.K.; I am however, for a realistic, equitable, and affordable system for America that is available to every citizen, not just those that can afford to pay.
Vicki – Abilene
