At age 57, working 50+ hours a week on a commission basis, unable to afford health insurance, I had a stroke.  Left with $60,000 in debt, I would not have been able to pay this   medical debt without selling a property that I counted on for income.  I would have had nothing to live on without caring friends.  I know that I am fortunate to have had access to some resources; many others have none.  My husband has no health insurance, and it is a constant fear that something will happen and we'll be back in the same predicament with nothing left to sell.

— Lucy from Wisconsin

My COBRA benefits ran out and I am now paying $906 a month for health insurance, no eyes no dental, just a straight HMO policy for one person.  So far the new policy covers nothing, none of my prescriptions are covered and I can't get in to see a doctor.  I can't afford to keep it, and don't know what to do without insurance.  I am also a mental health provider, and in the past year the insurance companies have become less and less accountable.  They deny claims and force long and time consuming appeals - unpaid work hours - from providers.

— Patricia from California

I am a 61 year old woman with arthritis and no health insurance. I do not qualify for Medi-Cal or any other type of help because I earn more than the poverty limit.  I earn less than $25,000 a year. I may need knee surgery and will have to go Mexico for cheaper care. I voted for Obama because I believe he will insure all Americans in need, no matter what pre-existing conditions they may have. 

— Josi from California

My son has several health conditions. The welfare office cut off our medical asst. because he turned 18. He is classified as a special needs child. When we did receive med. benefits Dr.'s offices and hospitals told us he wasn't covered. Now I have a sack of bills more than the upper class makes in a year.

— Jennie from New Jersey

I am 60 years old with diabetes, arthritis & some other health issues & disabled and I am caught somewhere in the middle as not being able to have health coverage.  My income is just enough to pay my bills & eat with nothing left over.

— Mary from Kentucky

I am a 62 year old teacher of meditation and mindfulness.  I am an adjunct teacher of meditation at the local university.  I am self-employed and a have no benefits as a faculty member.  The only insurance policy I can afford is a $5,000 deductible with insurance paying 80% after that. Functionally, I have no health insurance except in catastrophic cases.  In a catastrophic case, health care costs are so great; I would probably be among those forced into bankruptcy even though I have insurance.  I have various health issues that ought to be addressed, but are not.  I live within the limitations because I just cannot afford the care that I need.

— Bill from North Carolina

I have severe health issues but have to work full time because my husband is self-employed and cannot get medical insurance for me because the insurance companies all say I am "un-insurable" because of all my conditions. I'm afraid to switch jobs - not that I can find another one right now - and stress makes the health problems worse. It's a constant battle. Furthermore, one of my medications is over $1800 a month without insurance and I take over 10 different kinds per day.

— Julie from Illinois

Since I am a senior citizen, this is the first time in my llife that I do not worry about how my health issues will be paid for (at least as long as this lasts).  Many think this is free. I pay about $95 for Medicare A & B, $130 per month supplementary for things Medicare does not cover and $35 a month for medications, plus co pays.  This does not cover dental, eyes, hearing aids.  I am fortunate that I have the funds to help pay what Medicare does not.  Many don't.  How can we compete in a global economy without the health of our citizens?

— Caroll from California

On July 26, 2006 my health care nightmare began. It was on that day I lost my job of twenty years due to my disability. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1997 and having health care through my employer was crucial for me and my family. On that day however, I found myself an unemployed, single father of three with no health care insurance. Due to the fact that I could not afford COBRA, private insurance and had a preexisting condition I was forced to file for Social Security Disability Income. Once approved I had to wait five months before receiving my first check. In order to survive I exhausted my 401K that I worked so hard for, to be able to retire with someday. I thought I would at least have Medicare now that I was on disability. I was shocked when I learned I would have to wait two years after receiving my first disability check to be eligible for Medicare! I then had to rely on Missouri's Medicaid system for health care. The nightmare continued when I was told by the state that I did not qualify for Medicaid because the amount of my disability check exceeded the income guidelines. I could however participate in Medicaid if I would pay a monthly charge in the form of a "spend down". Despite working for over twenty-five years and paying into the "system", the State was going to charge me over $700 each month in order for me to have Medicaid, which amounts to over half of my monthly income. To say the least there was no way I could afford that and take care of my family. Because of that I had no health care from July of 2006 to January of 2009. Having MS my health declined, I could not go to the doctor, afford all my medications, receive physical therapy or take advantage of any technological advances to improve my quality of life. All of these things are critical for anyone with a chronic disease. Because of the two year waiting period for Medicare and the unattainable eligibility requirements for Medicaid, my health has declined and worse than that, my ability to interact with my children has declined as well. Now, more than ever, health care reform must happen immediately, especially to protect the elderly, low income, children, ill, and people with disabilities. It is time to put people before politics because everyone matters and deserves the right to affordable, comprehensive health care!

— Richard from Missouri