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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Sarah
New London, MO
In 1999, I was into the second year of suffering with a back pain problem that was diagnosed as 'sciatica'. Because I didn't have healthcare, no further tests were done. The treatments were somewhat effective, but the problem persisted and was worsening to the point where I had to crawl up the stairs, couldn't hold my 6 year old child in my lap, couldn't sleep for more than about 20 minutes, couldn't stand for more than 20 minutes, and I was consuming ibuprophen at the highest safe dose.
Finally, the chiropractor I was seeing besides my GP said that something more had to be done. I finally found a doctor in another, larger community, who would see me first and get whatever tests were needed done without immediate payment. She listened to my story, checked me out and ordered an immediate MRI. While I was in the MRI chamber, finishing the test, she was getting the results and setting up an emergency appointment with a neurosurgeon for that afternoon. I had a tumor in the sheath of my spinal cord, and it had very nearly pinched through. Luckily, I then qualified for financial assistance and state medical aid to help with the bills for the necessary hospitalization and surgery. Within ten days of that doctor visit, I was recovering from the surgery, in far less pain than I had been with the tumor. I have only a long scar and a patch of numbness in one leg to show for it.
Bottom line: I very nearly ended up in a wheelchair for life because I couldn't afford the necessary tests to properly diagnose my condition in a more timely manner.
I was extremely lucky, in that I found a clinic and physicians who were genuinely more concerned with my health than when I could pay the bill, and our state had, at that time, a program that greatly helped me when I finally got into that system. However, if someone were to find themselves in that same position today, they would not be nearly so lucky. There is no longer such a program available for them.
It took us two years to pay off our portion of that batch of bills, even with the aid available at the time, but we were able to do so. Now, I don't know what a family with someone in that position could do except suffer, and worry. I want to see that change.
*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.
