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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Mary Alice
Lexington, KY
My mother spent 18 years in a psychiatric hospital. OK so that was many years ago back in New York State. But the debt piled up because my father & I could not pay all of it. After my father died I "inherited" his portion of the debt and had resigned myself to paying for the rest of my life. Then came Medicaid! My debt was cancelled and I was freed to continue my life. I went to graduate school.
In my younger life I was a public health nurse. One of the women I tried to help had very decayed teeth that interfered with her eating and she suffered pain. I encouraged her to have complete extractions which she did. But there was no way to get her dentures without paying for them. She found it difficult to eat, became very depressed and finally needed to be in a nursing home. That, of course, cost the state much more than a set of dentures. But that was the system.
There was another woman who needed medication for high blood pressure. She couldn't afford the medication and eventually suffered a stroke. She needed hosptalization, rehabilitation and eventually assisted living--all paid for by the state!!! But wouldn't these people have been better off, more self-sustaining ifthey had initially had the minimal treatment they initially needed? that is to say nothing of the state expense. Yes, we need affordable care for all. I personally am very interested in John Conyers' (D-Mich.) plan.
*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.
