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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Lila
Philadelphia, PA
I am a 52 year old single woman with no children from Philadelphia, PA. I work in the nonprofit sector and earn less than a teacher. I am fortunate to have health insurance despite a 14-month layoff in 2006-2007. But, I pay dearly for it. My health insurance premiums, not to mention co-pays for doctor visits and medications, exceed my housing costs, which admittedly are very reasonable. With the escalating costs of gasoline and food and everything else, even before the last six months, my healthcare costs are financially breaking me. I'm healthy with only a few aches and pains consistent with my age and hypothyroid disease, which has been stabilized for several years. In fact, I am in better physical shape now than when I was 40 as I exercise more. My point is, I can only imagine what people who have families or individuals who are sick go through every day just trying to survive, even with health insurance. Those who are not covered, I cannot even wrap my brain around. I am a baby boomer. We are aging as I write. Our numbers are large. If America doesn't get the healthcare system fixed SOON, we will have a lot of sick folks on our hands with Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that afflict older people. We must drive down costs, hold health insurance companies accountable and ensure that everyone has affordable coverage. We cannot afford to drag our feet on this any longer!
*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.
