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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Geraldine
Naperville, IL
I am a social worker who has been in private practice for the past 10 years. I have been on most managed care panels and have tried to offer quality mental health care to my managed care clients. Many clients have serious mental health or family problems that cannot be resolved within the number of annually allotted visits. I have seen seriously ill clients probono rather than let them free fall into the "safety net" - the county system, which, until recently, was drastically curtailed (this in the richest county in the US, DuPage County, IL). When I do get paid it covers the bills and a modest salary. However, the increase in paperwork within the last 2 years, has definitely cut into that salary. I am exiting many managed care panels now, and this will be a problem for consumers since I am one of the few social workers in this area who speak Spanish. Regarding the insured and uninsured Spanish speaking population: this is a disaster. The managed care coverage for many Spanish speaking factory workers is limited - some have high deductibles and now increasingly higher copays.($40 in one case; the full fee is $65). Additionally, I would say the majority of their health and mental health problems stem from unfair working conditions including but not limited to mandatory overtime and very long work days. (13 hrs in one case). Employers also do not hesitate to exploit the vulnerable legal status of immigrant workers. I want health care for all, including all immigrants documented or undocumented.
*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.
