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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Alix
In 2003 I was diagnosed with HCV, apparently caused by a transfusion during the delivery of my son in 1991 before the virus was eliminated from the blood supply. Florida law prevented me from seeking recourse from the hospital. For 2 years I fought my insurance company for treatment, first submitting myself to the unqualified doctors they were willing to let me see. The group I was referred to assigned all HCV patients to a nurse and I never once saw a doctor. When it became clear that I was never going to be helped by my insurance company or their 'doctors'(even though we pay more than $1100/month for our 3 person family), I entered a clinical trial. The trial paid for the doctor and the drug treatment but not for the drugs I needed to survive the side effects of the treatment. You will not be surprised that the insurance company fought me every step of the way to avoid paying for drugs I needed and refused to pay for physical therapy needed at the end of the treatment. During the 2 years of treatment and recovery, our family had to pay more than $20,000/year in medical expenses despite being fully insured and receiving the treatment for free. Now that I am fully recovered, have been free of the virus for over 2 years and have no liver damage, I have discovered that I can never switch insurance companies as I am considered to have a 'preexisting condition'.
*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.
