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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Pat
West Milford, NJ
On January 23,2008 my younger brother, 46, died. He was unemployed. He began feeling ill, it prevented him from getting a job, but because he did not have healthcare, he did not seek medical attention. My brother believed that whatever it was it would pass. He never felt he was seriously ill. He was a truckdriver and in September of the following year, the medical exam he took to retain his CDL told him he was in good health.
Meanwhile my brother was urinating blood and he could not hold down food.
My brother also had a relationship with alchohol. The worse his medical condition, the worse his mental condition, the more he drank.
He took my mother to the hospital when she injured herself in a fall. She told the nurses about how sick her son was. They put her in contact with charity care. He was scheduled with an appointment 4 weeks away. In 2 weeks when he was vomiting blood, my mother called charitycare to tell them of his worstening condition. They moved his appointment up 1 week. Shortly after that, he was having difficulty breathing, my mother called an ambulance, he died 4 days later, on the day of his charity appointment.
My brother Tim, would have gone to the Dr. if he was not concerned about conserving his small savings while unemployed.
I know that if he went to the dr 6 months before - he would not have died.
This country desperately needs to provide healthcare to everyone in a manner that it is preventative and accessable.
Thank you for all you do and providing me a opportunity to tell my story.
*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.
