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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Edith
Van Lear, KY
My brother-in-law suffered a ruptured brain anuerysm and stroke on April 2, 2008. By some miracle, he lived. He was in the first facility for one month when the insurance company started trying to put him in a nursing home because he was still in a coma. However, he was also responding by squeezing our hands when we talked to him, and raising his thumb to answer yes. My sister hired a lawyer and fought the insurance company and they agreed to allow him to go to the next facility where some physical therapy would be given. He was there a month, regained full consciousness and was able to talk again. Once again, the insurance company balked at allowing him to move to the next level facility, but did and he has been there nearly month. He can stand with assistance now, walk with assistance and is dressinghimself, feeding himself and taking care of his own hygiene. The doctors at this facility say he needs to be upgraded from sub acute to acute to finish his therapy and go home. The insurance company will not allow him to be upgraded. The decision is made by their precert doctor who has never seen my brother in law, and is making his decision from records submitted by the rehab facility. His insurance will end on July 31, 2008 and they will have to pick up a Cobra plan at great expense to them. Why has our government allowed the insurance companies the authority to over rule the doctors who are treating us? Why must we fight for the treatment that will allow us to live a normal life again. I'm sure my family is not alone in being treated this way. Had my sister not fought as hard as she did, by brother in law would probably be in a nursing home, still unconscious.
*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.
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