Health Care Stories: "If it becomes too expensive for me I have the other option....death."

The health care reform legislation now under consideration in Congress, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, will ensure that future applicants for coverage in America cannot be denied because of a pre-existing condition and offer essential choice in terms of selecting a suitable plan. It is also important, however, that these options offer more affordable coverage for Americans, and any reform of the health care system must address lowering the cost of care and expanding high-quality coverage.  This can be achieved by supporting a robust public option that competes for the best care alongside private insurers, preventing them from taking advantage of the current reform legislation to enroll more customers without having to reduce the cost of coverage.  

“…I am a self employed individual and do have access to private healthcare insurance through an organization I belong to. I do pay the entire premium myself, out of pocket. If I did not have the state [license] required to participate in this program, I would have NO access to any other private insurance. I have a pre-existing condition that would disqualify me from participation. Without my health care insurance and resulting treatment, I will quite simply die...It would be reassuring to know I had alternative insurance (public option) to consider...How selfish have we become? I was born in the US, had a full time job at age 18. I have worked, paid taxes, and had good healthcare coverage paid through the companies (for 30 years). Early in 2008 I was suddenly out of work with no health" insurance. Luckily I had one option, an insurance plan that cost me $700/month. Now I don’t know about you, but that is a lot of money to me. I guess if it becomes too expensive for me I have the other option…death.”  

Peter, CA