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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Barbara
San Diego, CA
From the time that I was 28 to 32 years old I struggled with a health care issue that nearly cost me my life. I was working 12 hours days to make a living for myself in San Diego. Having no health insurance I was on my own to treat a chronic problem of excessive bleeding. I went from Western to Eastern medical practicioners, like a ping pong ball, seeking a way to stop the bleeding. My menstrual cycle went from a regular 3 to 5 day bleeding cycle to everyday having a heavy flow. It was as if the faucet was on full blast. I was loosing a lot of blood. I was enemic. My hormones were terribly out of balance. Most days I had no energy and I felt like I was on the verge of death. I have never experienced such suffering in my life. It was a very difficult period "no pun intended" of my life. For me to get the proper medical attention that I needed. I had to quit my job, which offered no medical benefits, and apply for County Medically Indigent services. That means that even though I was working and contributing to society, I had to stop working and claim that I was indigent to receive the medical attention I needed. Had I not gotten the medical attention at that time my cells would have become Cancer and I might not be here today to write this account. It was the most humbling and humiliating experience. That was 16 years ago and as I recall Universal Health care was something that was being thrown around the political arena back then, but nothing to this day has been done to make it a reality. I am tired of politicians using these serious issues as a way into office and then doing nothing about it!!!! We have the ability to put into place a system of health, education and welfare that works for all Americans. We have take into account the health and happiness of every living being in our country and on the planet and stop the political rhetoric.
*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.
