These stories come from the real people who live with a broken health care system. Some have health insurance and some do not. Many of these stories suggest potential solutions* that lead to quality, affordable health care we can count on. One thing we all agree on is that the we cannot trust the insurance industry to fix themselves. To learn more about what Health Care for America Now stands for read our Statement of Common Purpose.
We wanted to give you a chance to speak for yourself, in your own voice, about the need for Health Care for America Now. Do you have something to say? Tell us your story.
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Pamela
Portage, MI
I work in call center, which I hate, a lot. I work there just so I can get health insurance. The job is very stressful and I've been unable to find other work (that includes health care) for the past 7 years. I am 55.
A month ago I was hit with severe chest pains, nausea, and dizziness while at work. The call center director called an ambulance and I spent two days in the hospital being tested for heart disease. I was released with the advice to follow up with a cardiologist and no other information. I can't afford to see a cardiologist. I went to my GP who didn't even look at my tests and gave me a major tranquilizer/sedative prescription and chalked it all off to 'stress'.
So far, after insurance, the bills for two days in the hospital are equal to four months pay, and they are still climbing. The insurance company is looking to push the ambulance bill off on the call center as worker's comp, so that is in dispute. I continue to receive bills a month later--for tests, for doctors, that have not been filed with the insurance company, so I have a part-time job now following up on all these bills and their status.
I can make much more money per hour at my own business, with much lower stress, but I can't get insurance if I do more of that, and without insurance we can lose everything if I get sick again. So I continue to work at a job that is harmful to my health, for insurance that doesn't cover most of what I need when I need it. Then, I come home and work at my own business to make enough money to actually pay my monthly bills.
I don't even know how I will pay these emergency room bills. They will have to get the money when they get it, bit by bit. I'm very bitter, and I still have chest pains and am afraid to seek further care. I just can't afford it. It does frighten me.
*Health Care for America Now is not responsible for the content of these stories. These stories are submitted by individuals in the online audience and have been edited in some cases. Health Care For America Now does not endorse any of the solutions or policy positions suggested in the content of these stories. Health Care for America Now is a coalition of organizations that agree to the Statement of Common Purpose.
See our coalition partner list.
Read the Statement of Common Purpose.
