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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Valerie
Phialdelphia, PA
When I was considering leaving my employer for self-employment, I looked into private insurance. I found out that NO ONE will write a policy for anyone who has been taking anti-depressants for more than a year. They won't even write a rider indicating that they won't cover psychiatric expenses or that particular pre-condition. When I asked what other conditions rule out writing a policy, the person I spoke to said, "cancer." I verified this with an independent agent who shops around numerous health insurance companies, and he too, could not find any company that would write a policy for me. His response, which I have oft repeated was, "our health care system is broken."
I am a Poster Girl for the new generation of anti-depressants -- SSRIs and SNRIs. I lead a happy, normal, functional life, am a high-functioning individual in otherwise very good health, for whom anti-depressants have been a God-send. I suffer none of the negative side-effects, and continue to keep up on the research about any negative side effects of long-term use (so far, none). I also continue to go to a very effective psychotherapist to, I hope, achieve a level of great mental health that I might no longer need the medication -- I would prefer to not depend on them. However, the disease runs rampant in my family, and that statement might be like someone with Type I diabetes saying that they hope, one day, they can "wean" off of insulin injections. It's appalling and _highly_ discriminatory. While the "statistics" that the insurance companies use to justify this decision show that those who suffer from depression are more likely to get sick, lose their jobs, etc., I doubt very seriously whether they have checked the statistics of those who are being effectively treated with anti-depressants.
The result is that, whenever I decide to leave my full-time job (with benefits), I will have to join a professional association solely for the purpose of getting health insurance at a group rate that has no exclusions for pre-conditions. Otherwise, I'm screwed, no matter how much money I make or have available to pay for insurance.
Thanks for letting me tell my story. I have no problem with your sharing my story. I am not ashamed of my diagnosis, since I understand that it is a chemical imbalance, and not "my fault" -- it took me a very long time to realize that, and ONLY after I found effective treatment. One of the key symptoms of depression is that the person believes that it is their fault, they are lazy, and all they have to do is try harder. It wasn't until I started my first SSRI treatment that I realized how much of that burden I was carrying.
By the way, I am a mental health professional (Marriage and Family Therapist). I have dreamed of testifying to Congress on this matter, and look forward to the opportunity to do so. We need to get depression out of the closet.
*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.
