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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James
Athens, OH
I have always had health care through my employer. When I left to start my own business I signed up for COBRA coverage through my former employer. It lasted 18 months. When it expired, I started looking for private coverage. Even with the HEPPA rights, I found that any health insurance company I called denied me coverage, or had a premium so high that I could not pay it. The quotes I received were for $1500 per month premium. I have a pre-existing condition of diabetes type 2 and have had a heart bypass in the past. (5 years ago)
The health insurance companies have a formula that makes it impossible to get coverage with a pre-existing condition. This is not right. I am sure you have heard this story from many people like me with this problem. Health insurance companies only want young healthy people of people that are in a large group so they can make more profit.
I am 56 years old and cannot get any affordable coverage under the current system. I was paying $365 per month under my COBRA coverage. If they could afford to cover me at that price, they should have been able to continue to sell me a policy for the same or maybe a slightly higher premium. I had United Health Care. I think that our government should regulate the health care industry to help the millions of americans like me get affordable coverage. As it now stands, I will have to do without any coverage until I reach the 66 retirement age, if I don't get any major illness and do not make that age.
Jim Norris
Athens, Ohio
*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.
