Guaranteed Healthcare

My daughter had had high blood pressure, and could not afford health care insurance. She was raising five children on her own working many long hour days, to provide for them. She tried to get on access, but they told her she made three dollars too much to qualify. She died May, 19th 2006 of a massive stroke, she was only 36 years old,if she had had insurance she may be alive today.

Well, I went to find out why I'm having problems with my stomach, and they let me get the test done.  So when it was time for me to go back and see the doctor they wouldn't see me because I didn't have money to give so I still don't know.

My two granddaughters are having medical problems (anxiety, panic attacks, chest pains, and etc.) due to a very traumatic childhood. They are 26 and 23 years old with children of their own. One is a mother at home and the other is a preschool assistant. Neither of them can get medical help and cannot afford health insurance.

I am a 27 year old female who has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. In fact, the same type as Ted Kennedy himself.

On March 25, 2008, I went to the emergency room in my town I had severe pain in the left side of my neck. I was there all day long they did CT scans with and with out dye, they did ultrasounds, x-rays, put a tub down my nose to see down my throat. at the end of the day they sent me home saying that I had an infection, and gave me an antibiotics.

My husband, recently deceased, fell into the Medicare Rx donut. To get an $800. or $900. dollar RX bill for several months was a jolt. There are many families who would not be able to absorb such an unexpected expense. Had we been unable to do so, the last months of his life might have been miserable.

I have a major health insurer. I pay over $700 a month for a family of three, and I am employer insured. I pay 40% of the coverage because I work 60% of full time. I went to my primary care doctor recently and tried to get to see a former specialist. He told me that my health insurer does not cover that doctor, so I can't go to see him.

Hello - my name is Diane, and in desperation I pleaded over the telephone with a woman who worked in the billing department of the hospital which a doctor ordered my son to be transferred to when his condition was fatal and the hospital did not want to admit him because my insurance said this hospital was out of network and only covered 90% instead of 100%.

I am 58 and divorced. Healthcare insurance is just too expensive, and I cannot afford to pay the premiums. Worked hard all my life and now I pray I don't get sick because no one will give me healthcare. and I pray I don't die because there is no money to bury me. I am terrified to live and terrified to die.

I was denied because of an ingrown toenail and a prescription I never filled because it was not covered by insurance, for seeing a therapist and getting a prescription for anti-anxiety drugs once and never getting a refill, and for going to a chiropractor as a measure of maintenance for good health. How ridiculous is that?

My 15 month old son was recently denied by Pacific Source insurance in Oregon due to the fact that he has recently got ear tubes -- of all things.

After being told on October 22, 2007 that my father had less than a week to live, I made an appointment and visited my primary care physician the next day. She prescribed a mild anti-depressant and a mild anti-anxiety medication. The office visit was, as usual, billed to Mail Handlers Benefit Plan. I paid my co-pay that day, and expected to receive an EOB within a month or so.

I had no health insurance for 20 years and now that I have it I don't go to the Dr. It's like I got out of the habit of thinking I have access to health care. I feel like the Nurse Clinician where I go doesn't like me and doesn't like the way I take care of myself. After I had blood/urine tests she called me and said, "You're dying."

Had a bad reflux attack on a Thursday, called my plan to try to see my Dr, he's booked solid. So I wind up going to ER for the reflux. They give me an RX that settles my stomach for a little bit, it flares up again, try to call my Dr again, still cannot see him, wind up in urgent care. This time another Dr gives me an Rx for Protonix.

I have no pre-existing conditions. I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago. I have been off meds for a year and cleared by my current Doctor as not having bipolar disorder. I still cannot get approved. I have not been able to acquire reasonable health insurance on my own since 2006.

I was a healthcare worker for 35 years as a laboratory assistant and retired in June 2005. I qualified for 18 months of COBRA and an additional 18 months of coverage under Cal-Cobra. I have no pre-existing medical conditions and the past 3 years went smoothly.

I am divorced and don't have insurance anymore. I was on my ex husband's insurance. My employment doesn't offer insurance that is affordable and the deductible is too high.

In the fall of 2007, my 4-year-old son's pediatrician referred him to a speech therapist for stuttering and speech delays. I was shocked to discover that my heath insurance through Blue Cross will not pay for this. In fact, the plan specifically excludes speech therapy for anyone other that Parkinson's patients.

I have two grown children that presented with mental illness in their later teen years. Both were in denial of course until they were at least 25 -26 years of age.

In a nutshell...through my employment I thought I had good coverage through my health insurance provided by my employer, with Great-West. I had a colonoscopy (family history of colon cancer) at age 52, discovery of a mass, quick surgery that went completely right! 5 days in hospital, no complications at all.

When my premium nearly doubled and I called to complain, I discovered I'd been paying over $100 a month extra for years, for maternity coverage (I'm a single male).

They said, "when we sent you the booklet describing your coverage, you had 10 days to examine it." I issued a formal complaint but they weaseled out of it on a technicality.

Dear fellow human beings I watched "SiCKO" with my mum who just had pneumonectomy (lung lobectomy) for cancer. The cancer had not spread yet so hopefully our doctors and health system has saved her life. Her treatment in Australia was all free! All through our national health care system known as Medicare.

I was denied essential dental care due to lack of funds. i was recently laid off, and of course I am trying very hard to find a new job. Unfortunately before a job interview, I had an uncomfortable toothache that caused my speech to be impaired from the swelling. This was bound to happen sooner or later because I had never seen a dentist before mainly because of the expense.

Candidates proposing universal health care are inspiring. However, we need to fix the health care system as well. As a patient and a former employee (I used to work at a famous hospital on Long Island) of the health care system - I have first-hand knowledge on how the care system works in America.

I don't have one of those dramatic, life-and-death horror stories that so many do. I'm just an older family man (age 59) who lost my health insurance when I was involuntarily "retired" after nearly 25 years as a public school head custodian three years ago. Since then, I have held part time jobs and contract employment without health coverage.

Husband had an infected finger, and we went to a new doctor's office, as I had already gotten a (so- called) pre-existing condition from my former medical office, and was angry with them. I found out later that I was just not on my husband's insurance, as we had to pay for it for 18 months, in order for me to be on it.

My wife, Stacy, recently gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, Cole (see attached picture from a proud new father). During the pregnancy, my wife was required to submit blood samples for state-mandated genetic screening. Thankfully, the results came back satisfactorily. Unfortunately, the insurance claims did not…

I am a senior citizen on Medicare with a Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Medicare Part D. These additional insurance costs are $160.00 per month, which is an expense I can ill afford. My medical conditions include type II diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol which have been controlled with medications.

In polite society I am a person "of a certain age". In my circle, I am a "geezer". For many years I have been using Medicare-provided health services. For those poor, misguided souls who bleat without end about the dangers of "socialized medicine", I offer my experience with Medicare, which is a form of "socialized medicine".

My dad was admitted to the hospital for ongoing treatment of heart disease in 1986. He was a Korean vet, wounded by bullet and knife in combat and disabled. Despite his disability he was able to work to support his family for many years until declining health forced him to retire. Too young for Medicare he relied on his military pension/disability and insurance to live.

I have not seen a doctor in over 15 years. Last time I did was when I was incacerated. At that time I was told I have hepititus B&C. Sadly, I received better care being a lawbreaker than I do now that I am a law abiding citizen. I have no plans to ever go back to prison. But if I start getting sick from this hepititus stuff, somethings going to have to give!

While I worked in healthcare,as an x-ray tech, I had insurance, but once I stopped working , I could not get the health insurance I wanted because I take an anti-depressant.

Maybe the title of this section of the page should be HEALTHSCARE.STORY ! rw

In January 2008 I quit my job and, like a dumbass, thought I would go to the dermatologist before my health insurance would be cancelled. BIG MISTAKE!

I have been diagnosed to have hyperthyroidism. I've applied for health insurance from Blue Shield of California and HealthNet, but they denied me coverage due to my illness. I cannot get health insurance from my employer because I work part-time and go to school at the same time.

This message from my mother who has to deal with my 29 year old brother with Aspergers and trying to keep them on their health insurance. He keeps getting dropped even though we proved years ago he was a permanent qualified disabled dependent.

I am a 58 year old woman who has practiced in the field of social work for the past 26 years. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2007 I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular breast cancer.

Six years ago I hurt my back at work. I went through worker's comp and after three years had to settle my case to keep from being homeless just short of the final result. During worker comp case, was seen by many doctors, had many tests, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Was told that I had five bulging discs in my back and the problem could not be fixed.

I have sent in my story but needed to add one more thing. I wrote our President and Senators about taxing the gaming industry for even one nickel of every dollar Americans spend could go into programs to benefit us when we needed it. They could create a Federal Lottery so people could choose how to spend the recreation dollar.

I had a heart attack last month. Something in my left back shoulder area has constricted the blood flow to my heart. I tried to get workers compensation for the back injury I sustained in 2005 when pulled and twisted by big boxes on a conveyor belt. The pain in my left back shoulder has been constant and severe since the injury. I had to use company doctors and could not see family doctors.

Illness began at birth, worsened when visiting cousin with mononucleoesus. Age 9, became so sick, almost died. Didn't but life long (now age 53) problems with adenomyosus, (hysterectomy). very sick since 9 months after that in 2001, denied Social Security three times, problems with getting health care insurance. Am trying again with AARP.

I had surgery last May and I had enough sick time for three months and I took one month of unpaid leave. I was told I would have to pay $800 for one mo of insurance and I asked if there was anything cheaper. I was told I could get the basic plan for around $400.

Danny Blight worked at a business that had health insurance. The payments for the health insurance were taken directly out of his check. Well, the short of the story was that his employer had taken the insurance payments out of his check for two or three months and not made the payments to the health insurance company.

I am a doctoral student who is living with a chronic, potentially life-threatening illness. I must take daily prescription medication for my condition and have been denied employer-sponsored health insurance due to my "pre-existing" condition. I am, at least, able to get coverage through my university, but the prescription benefit is woefully inadequate.

I posted on here a month ago regarding my son's accident that Blue Cross was only paying at "reasonable and customary" thus leaving me with a balance owed the hospital at approx. $50,000.

My eldest sister and her husband were on vacation in Ireland. My sister suffered an aneurysm in one of the liver arteries. It was a Sunday; most restaurants in Northern Ireland are closed. Fortunately, some EMT's were also at this open establishment. My sister had collapsed in the parking lot. The EMT's took her pulse - virtually non-existent.

I will never find out why my reproductive health has declined since I had a miscarriage, while being pregnant for the first time, and it is now almost a year ago. Doctors can't tell me what had happened unless I pay money out of my pocket to get a series of tests.

My 46 year old wife had Stage 2 breast Cancer in 2002. She went through chemo, double mastectomy and after a year was cleared to work. She took a job with the state of West Virginia. We paid into life, health and disability and two years later, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Had two brain surgeries since and continues to fight.

Sept. 2007 --- I paid my insurance on Sept 14th. on Sept 29th I had to go to the ER for pain in my back area --- so bad that I could not walk. Blood was drawn, CT scan taken --- v.s. and iv fluid (n.s.) I received IV-push morphine for the pain and was sent home with percocet for the pain and to f/u with my PCP.

I was an RN at a large hospital for 15+ years. In 15 years my evaluations were always above average. The last evaluation I had was excellent. Nurse Manager and Dept. Head changed and so did our unit. Another nurse, and I were given a 3 day suspension for making a comment about a pt. ( one of our residents) to a surgical tech.

I watched Michael Moore's movie "SiCKO" for the first time last December. Scared the heck out me, because I'm one of those people who are self-employed and uninsured. Later on that evening, I went out for a bike ride and BAM!!!...fell off my bike and broke my ankle. Seriously...the very same night. What are the odds, huh?