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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Michael
When I finished college, my Dad said to me, "You're responsible for your insurance now." I thought to my self in my youthful exuberance, "Insurance, why worry about a rainy day?" So I dropped my insurance. This choice would cost me $100,000s of dollars. Not because I got sick without insurance; no because when I decided to be insured I was turned down for a prior condition, colitis. Then I was put on a Major Risk plan which easily costs over $2,000/year more than regular insurance. Now is I want to go to a less expensive program offered in my area, I need to drop my current major risk plan, go without insurance for 1 year, prove, that I was turned down for insurance get on the waiting list for a plan which is about 4 mos. and then wait 3 - 6 mos. before I can bill for anything having to do with my prior condition. In other words, go without insurance for almost 2 years. In China, in the old days, one paid the doctor if they were healthy and didn't pay them when they were sick. If they were healthy the doctor was doing his job. This seems humane to me. We have it backwards in the United States, I find our system inhumane and cruel. Punishing those who are sick. Making one's health a business. It pains me. Our priorities are not in the right places.
Sincerely,
Michael Katz
*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.
