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.
for
Angel
Memphis, TN
My husband was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, the lack of blood supply to the bone and the bone dies, in 2005, 4 months after our only child was born. At the time he had insurance, but because of his disability he had to leave the company he had worked for, for nearly 5 years. We paid out COBRA for 6 months and then he had no insurance. We contacted independent carriers and no one would touch him because Avasular Necrosis is considered a terminal illness in the insurance world. There is no cure except to replace the bone effected by the disease with an artifical one. The expense is enormous. He has had Bi-lateral Decompression, left hip replacement, and right foot reconstruction. Now his right hip is failing and we are faced with a very painful and expensive journey.
We have filed for SSDI and have been denied2 times so far. We are filing again, but know that the prognosis is bleak. We have worked hard for everything we have and face the possiblity of loosing it all over the medical neglect we are faced with due to his illness.
I have Graves disease, treated with radiation and synthetic hormones. It went undiagnosed for such a long time that it caused hypertension, the inability to shluf off water naturally, so I hold pounds of fluid, commonly known as pit-adema. I also suffer from situational depression and take a medication each day for it as well.
We live on 1 income with a house note, 2 car notes, insurance on all 3, general bills such as utilities, hygiene, and other basics. With the cost of everything including insurance, we are faced with financial destruction.
My husband was recently rushed to the ER. On top of his diagnosed disease, he now faces seizure activity. The uninsured visit is costing us in excess of 10 thousand dollars. The attending physician at the hospital declined to sign his name to a concret diagnosis but disclosed to us that seizure activity was notable in his EEG.
We are receiving minimal state aid and I have contacted my state legislatures and senators only to receive an uncompassionate response that either they can not help or all that could be done has been done.
I believe that there has got to be a better way to care for those who can not afford or obtain the coverage they so desperatly need.
I hope that every signature to this pushes our "fearless leaders" one step closer to following through with what was at one time an empty promise to lead this country for us and not themselves.
Sincerely,
Angel Medley
*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.
