Health Care Stories: "The Only Way To Continue To Receive Care Would Be To Put Ourselves in Abject Poverty"

Today, health insurance companies consider even the most minor ailments pre-existing conditions.  People with HIV, who have serious and costly healthcare needs, are routinely denied coverage because of their illness. Healthcare reform will give individuals with insurance new freedoms to change jobs or even work for themselves because they will no longer be forced to remain in employer-provided coverage. 

“I have been living with HIV for a year, and luckily was diagnosed while covered by private insurance provided by my employer.  While I am currently healthy and on solid ground, so to speak, I feel trapped in my current job and am unable to pursue other opportunities to better myself because of being subject to employer-provided private insurance.  I am caught in the current health care system.  If I tried to leave my current job I would be without health insurance and unable to afford health insurance, less be flat out denied coverage as my HIV would be considered a pre-existing condition.  If I or anyone ever found themselves in such a position the only way to continue to receive care would be to put ourselves into abject poverty...  I am in need of an affordable, easily transferable, and flexible health insurance option that provides me the access to health care that I need to live out my dreams and remain a productive member of society.”

Gabe, MN

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*Please note that actual names have been changed to protect individual's confidentiality.  Media interested in interviewing HIV-positive people about health-coverage issues should contact AFC Communications Director Johnathon Briggs at jbriggs@aidschicago or 312-334-0922.