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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David
FORT WORTH, TX
I am a social worker for a small social service agency in Fort Worth, Texas.
I divorced a year and a half ago and my daughter lives with me every other week. As part of the settlement I agreed to cover her on my health insurance. Since that time my premium went up about 20% while the cost of our medications went up. I recently had a minor surgery which cost me over $2,000 out of pocket, $1,000 more than I expected it to. IÕm paying off the hospital $20 every month; even so, they regularly call me demanding their money.
IÕve also had to go to generic prescriptions for myself, even though the name brand worked better. IÕve also stopped taking one prescription because there is no name brand equivalent, and I canÕt afford the $50 co-pay. IÕm putting off a surgery on my knee because I canÕt afford another $2,000 payment.
IÕm very good at my job and love what I do, but IÕve had to take a second job to help cover expenses. IÕve considered getting out of social work, a field I love and have been involved in all my life, simply to take a better paying job.
I try to make sure that my daughter doesnÕt know how much I worry about the medical expenses, but sheÕs pretty smart and I think she knows sometimes when it bothers me. WeÕve already been told at work that our premium will go up in August by as much as 30%, and I donÕt know how IÕm going to cover that expense. All this, and IÕm one of the ones that has insurance- I wonder how people without any insurance make it at all!
*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.
