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.
for
Carolyn
Green Mountain, NC
My husband was diagnosed with leukemia in 1990 and given a 3-5 year prognosis. We investigated a bone marrow biopsy but chose to forego after learning of the poor survival rates. His oncologist, a wonderful and practical man, declared that we would focus on keeping him healthy "until the research catches up." Five years ago it did and he started taking a newly developed miracle drug, Gleevec; his blood counts are nearly normal and he experiences virtually none of the side effects of traditional chemotherapy.
The downside of his treatment, both the foregone bone marrow transplant and the Gleevec, is cost. The former would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, with no guarantee of survival beyond 100 days.The latter is costing our health insurance provider $120,000.00 per year, a staggeringly OUTRAGEOUS amount. We are extremely lucky to have this insurance; it is provided by the Church Pension Fund and Medical Trust to which he contributed during the 40 years of his active work in the church, and for which we pay close to 30% of our monthly disability income. Had we not had this insurance, my husband would be dead by now, as there is no way we could have afforded, on his disabiity income, any treatment beyond symptom management. He is not on Medicare, but it is unlikely that Medicare would have paid out this amount of money for his drug, even if it had been allowed to negotiate for a lower price.
I feel for so many people who are not so fortunate and privileged to have good health insurance as we do. A serious illness such as leukemia would guarantee them a speedy, untimely, and painful death. It is unconscionable that we, as the wealthiest nation in the world, can not do better for the "least of us"Ðthe aged, the young, and the ill.
*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.
