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
Bill
San Jose, CA
Born Sept. 1, 1956, to an auto mechanic and a bookkeeper, I was the first in my family to get a college degree, which would not have been possible without subsidies from Basic Educational Opportunity Grants. After I graduated the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1978, tuition at Pitt doubled. In the Reagan era, funding for education began a long decline. I was a newspaper journalist for 27 years and had solid health benefits the last 18 years of that career. Since I lost my job in July 2004, all my health care has come out of pocket as I have worked freelance journalism, done part-time jobs and spent a third of my 401k retirement.
I spend less for my health, dental and vision care in a year than a single month of health insurance costs. Restated: A single monlthy health insurance payment exceeds what I spend on a year of care. If I bought health insurance, by nest egg would be gone before I pay off my mortgage about six years from now. I am very healthy. Should I suffer a significant illness or injury, I would be ruined.
*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.
