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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Anonymous
Denied medical treatment because of mental illness stigma
Although I had various objective medical findings, including undetectable blood pressure! doctors at an HMO refused to offer me anything other than punitive hospitalization at a locked psychiatric ward when I showed up at the Urgent Care and ERs. I was dehydrated, lost 40 pounds over a period of 4 months, constantly thirsty, had dizzying low blodd pressure which made it difficult to stand and walk most days, with incredible fatigue. And I was very irritable. Yet, due to the mental illness names I was labelled with, my primary doctor indicated to Urgent Care and ER doctors that I must be fabricating these symptoms.
After terribly humiliating experiences, I finally took the plunge and broke with that HMO. Beginning over with a fresh set of doctors yielded the information that I had cancer- and, later it emerged that i had type one diabetes and Grave's disease.
I believe these extraordinary merciless experiences with a network of colluding doctors and nurses stemmed from the perception that i was valueless as a human being. I also think there are underlying economic implications here- saving a buck on treating me was perhaps predicated on the belief that if the diagnostic tests showed up nothing, my medicare claims might be denied. But I don't know enough to analyze the deeper roots of the problems I encountered.
All i know is that i have many fears and traumas associated with seeking medical care now.
-signed,
a low income person with several disabilities
*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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Read the Statement of Common Purpose.
