Wednesday September 2, 2009, 12:59 pm
Oh, whether you're a woman or not, there is place here for you to write your own recent issues with your health care coverage; non-coverage; issues with getting your health care paid for, troubles you've had with your doctors.....let them hear it all!

I'm thrilled to know there's a place where our stories will be seen on the Internet....where we can vent & others will see it. NOW is a huge organization in this country, but it's not just representing women here!

Please take the time to write any story that you or your family have had to deal with. Let Congress know!!! Let them also know what you'd like to see to improve these situations and road-blocks to your health - both mentally, emotionally AND physically!

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 1:03 pm
FYI....there's LOTS of space on this site for a complete & thorough story. Please don't hesitate to write your full story! Mine went on & on & on & on! :))

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 1:37 pm
Thanks sweet Bubbles! Your wonderful, I appreciate this info girl!

Blessings all,
~ FreeSpirit ~

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 1:53 pm
Today, I have spent my entire day to try to get a doctor to take care of my son's broken foot. No one would take him because he, unfortunately is among the uninsured, although he is a disabled veteran.

It is way past time for the US to join the other industrialized Western countries with a civilized health care system for all. The current pettiness of the debate from both side is just making me sick. No person should be left in pain and uncared for.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 1:56 pm
Thank you, Peace! I will share my story later today. It's a long one. This is a great idea and I hope many will contribute. It's a huge story that needs to be told.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 2:02 pm
Thanks,Bubbles! I noted and wrote a bit!

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 2:02 pm
Ok, Betsy....that made me physically SICK! He's a vet and can't get medical care when he needs it??? What's wrong with this picture!?! It's time our country hears ALL our stories. They seem to get more horrendous each time I hear a new one!

Is there a Vet's Hospital anywhere nearby? I know my father (a Korean vet) continues to use his local Vet's Hospital for issues like this & they truly do take care of him....

Lots of luck, and may your son find some relief for his pain. Ohhh, the US may not help him, but he could go onto any street corner in America and get himself plenty of illegal drugs!

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 2:10 pm
THANKS LOVE PEACE... I WROTE AS MUCH AS I COULD, THEN CRIED AS MY FINGERS STARTED TO ACHE... GREAT SITE AND BETTER IDEA, THANKS AGAIN FOR SHAING IT W/ US.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 2:15 pm
My sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor in Dec 2007. She has medical insurance (Blue Cross) through her husband’s employer. (Employer pays a portion of the premium). After the initial shock, she decided she wanted a second opinion. She contacted her insurance company and was told that they actually encouraged second opinions in such cases.

The 2nd Dr had the same diagnosis. She went to talk with a surgeon near her home. She was not impressed with him at all so she called insurance company to find out what they would pay if she decided to go to MD Anderson in Houston, TX which is approx 6 hours and another state away. She was told that if that was what she wanted to go for it. They paid just as if she had the surgery in her home town. She was very surprised but very happy. She had the surgery in Feb. of 2008 and everything went very well. Tumor is gone and she has been given a clean bill of health. She does not have to be checked again until next year. She paid out of pocket expenses of $300…that’s it. She had a supplemental policy through AFLAC that actually paid ALL their expenses while we were in Houston. I love AFLAC

I have to say that I was very surprised at the amount of concern and care she received from the insurance company but they were wonderful. What makes it even more amazing is her husband has had to have 3 surgeries on his back through the same insurance company. They were just told last week that he has to have another surgery and Blue Cross is once again giving them excellent service. I have nothing but good things to say about Blue Cross. BTW, their premiums have not gone up either.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 4:00 pm
Noted with thanks Peace.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 4:46 pm
When my family came to this Country because my father became ill working for the United States Government helping to build the locks for the Canal Zone we were treated as though we were in the way because the Cubans started to come and we were Americans and they did not want to help us but they were more than happy to help the Cubans with free Medical Help.
When I got sick with my appendix and we went to the same hospital where the Cubans got there free everything my mother was told they couldn't help her with the bill so my mother had to go to a loan shark to get the money and it took her many many years to pay the bill and mind you this was in the fivety's and sixety and it is even worse today so I know first hand what it is like to be a rejected American and it is not pretty.
I will never ever forgive this Country to make my mother suffer so badly for something they should have helped her with but yet the Cubans got everything free and they never earned it all they know is take take take but never give back.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 4:58 pm
OK..I'm confused, the story supposed to go on the Site??? I thought, but you want on both places???

Gotta return. Computer lap top to hot. Will come back later, to write when it is cooled down.

Thanks...

And there are some truly heart breaking stories

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:21 pm
NE L, First, I'm so totally happy that things have been turnig out so great for you, your sister, and her husband! There's nothing better than to have a happy ending, and I do believe there is still insurance that is paying for some of the people here in the US. I guess this article & petition is for all those who have had bad experiences, have been denied health care, who continue to be rejected, and/or people who just can't get the coverage they thought they were getting with their health care provider.

I've been lucky in my life to have had good health care, and even this summer, we needed good coverage. But if we had not, I shiver to think the consequences we would have had. Death, probably!

So please understand you are one of the lucky ones. You "have" insurance, you "have" had them pay for your needs, and you "have" been able to stay ahead of the bills that quickly mount up when you are ill or going through surgery. Thanks for sharing a happy ending with all of us here.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:27 pm

Republican Chairman Michael Steele: Meet Amanda Duzak Whose Mother Died From Cancer
At a student dialogue Tuesday, recent grad Amanda Duzak told Steele that her mother was unable to afford medication, and died recently of cancer. Steele turned his back on her, and the "hand picked Republican" crowd applauded...

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:28 pm
Carol H. - I hope you will copy/paste your issues on this site, and shafre them with NOW. It's exactly what they want to hear!

And YES YES YES, Marilyn S. - the personal stories ARE supposed to be written on the space provided on the NOW site. You do not have to share any of them here, as none of them will go from here to there.

:)

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 7:19 pm
My only problem is which story??? Thanx so much 4 this Peace honey ur golden!!!!

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 7:36 pm
I'm about to share my story with NOW...Thanks, Kat! Have a lovely evening! Love and Peace...julie

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 11:01 pm
Just AWESOME my sweet soulzie ... you have shared a wonderful opportunity that will serve to ease the burdens carried with anger, frustration and sadness... letting go in this way is very healing and more importantly knowing that the "light at the end of the tunnel" will shine for so many who will benefit in life by NOW taking these stories to Congress.
Thank you dear heart and many Blessings for your beautiful sister.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 1:29 am
Cross-posted to Facebook PLE; spreading the word!

Thursday September 3, 2009, 10:44 am
Oh Peace... not my visits to the gynacologist.. it would make them blush sweetie darling

Thursday September 3, 2009, 10:45 am
Thanks Bubble Gum Girl!! I took action this morning when I first received the message. I'm one of those that Can't get medical attention that we need due to being uninsured. Mine is w/ a lower back injury & that back injury is what is keeping anyone wanting to insure me. Sometimes I think it's never going to change.
Thanks for posting this big issue.

Friday September 4, 2009, 4:45 am
I have already sent my story to them :)