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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Matteo David
Orient, NY
I've just returned for the summer from Spain, after having done some classes and travelling...while I was there, I experienced severe chest pain one day that lasted for weeks, and finally went to the ER...blood work was done, X-rays, doctor consultation, all at the GRAND cost of zero euros, zilch, NADA!
I get home here to NY (with no insurance, mind you), and on Sunday, July 6, 2008, I awoke with severe pain in my stomach, side and back, which finally led me to the emergency room...turns out I have kidney stones and I must follow up with a urologist...I have no insurance, no secure job, basically no income coming in yet...just arrived less than 2 weeks ago...so, through the Suffolk County Medical Services (low-cost), I was referred to Stony Brook to try to find a doctor who will take a patient suffering with kidney stone who has no private health insurance...I found one, and was told that to enter, I would need to pay $150 to see the doctor...HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!?!?! Is it not obvious that I, as a USAmerican, with no health insurance, probably cannot pay $150 just to sit down with a urologist!!!
Meanwhile, I simply don't know what to do...I was given a prescription for Vicodin, but I've got about 15 pills, and am trying to only take them when the pain in my side and back flare up...no pills yet today! YAY!
American the Great...PLEASE...HARDLY...get me back to Europe!!!!
*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.
