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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carol
Medford, OR
I have a full time job, and my 22 year old son has been on my health plan since I first started over 2 years ago. He was in college when he had an sprained ankle, then another after so many sprains, his ankle became weak, which required surgery, his school insurance would not cover it due to it was a football related injury, but he was covered under my insurance so everything was ok, then a few months later, he turned 23, my insurance company immediately dropped him. They gave me 30 days to find another one or to sign up for COBRA. I could not afford COBRA, I have never known anyone who could afford that program. At least not when they make $10.00 an hr. So, I then tried to get my son an individual plan on the same carrier I currently have, they sent a denial letter after a long wait, saying due to his previous surgery for the ankle that he would be too great a risk for coverage. Now mind you, my son is 23, is an athelete, does not smoke, or drink, and I find it discriminatory to deny a young healthy person insurance because they have had surgery.Then when he required surgery on his knee after an injury, I was fearful that he would have a deformed leg at 23. Since the school insurance had previously denied him, we assumed they would not cover it again. Then his Doctor told him of a program that covers those with no insurance. So my son had the knee surgery which was recommended and since it was not due a football related injury just an activity the school insurance decided to pay on it, but only a small portion. Now the program that my son was going to qualify for he no longer qualifies for, and we owe the hospital thousands of dollars. My son is still in college entering the Masters of Teaching program so I am angry that this can happen. As a mother, I feel helpless to give my son direction as to what he should do.
*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.
