Share Your Story: What do preventive health services with no co-pays or deductibles mean to you?

In  November of 1990, two of us, a friend who was also an activist in the peace movement and I, were diagnosed with colon cancer. I had health insurance through my husband's job as a professor. My friend had none. Because I was diagnosed early, the doctor took out the internal malignent polyp, and then removed 4 inches of colon, plus some other items that it would have matasticized to cancer. As a result, I was cured in a matter of a month, and didn't have to have radiation or chemotherapy. I was advised to have colonoscopies every year for 5 years, and then went down to every 3 years. Blessed relief!My friend did not have insurance; she used most of her money to pay for her children's needs. She was diagnosed, finally, at the same time I was, but it was already months too late. She died in January of 1991, about the time I was cured without consequences.Insurance care really matters to me, and I have been actively pushing for it ever since!   

 I am a senior citizen who is fortunate enough to have Medical.  In 1999 I was confronted with multiple health hazard, and had I not entitled to Medical it would have been very tough.  Still, I am suffering with extremely dry mouth and dry eyes (Sjogren's syndrome) and medication not covered by Medical; which I have to cover it out of my income.  I can imagine how devasting experience it would be for those who have no health coverage at all.I think since health is wealth for every one, I strongly support health education and to boost the awarness of the society and how to keep day to day health situation in order to remain healthy; also to inform to eat the right food in order to be away from obesity.   

I have never had medical insurance as an adult.  I do not believe in the medical industry that exists in the US.  It would be a good thing if we really had health care based on evidenciary science and not what the drug and chemical corporations foist on us.  There are times when getting a meaningful diagnosis would have been helpful such as the lower back pain that has plagued me since an auto accident last year.  There is no way I can afford the runaround between so-called specialists who might diagnose the problem.  All they want to do is give drugs which I would not touch.  They don't heal; only supress and then do additional harm.   What would be meaningful is full access to all healing protocols including the holisitic ones.  Without such health freedom access, medical insurance is a very scarey and unaffordable prospect.

It really upsets me to know that there are so many Americans that do without health care. Many lose their wealth and their health because of this.  That is a disgrace to America workers.  I have worked all my life, once I started having medical issues the employers wanted me out.   Just because some of us have health issues does not mean that we can not be productive in society.,  Nor should it be a leverage for employers to be able to get rid of a employee.  There is not an Amercian that does not need health insurance.  It should have nothing to do with who you are, race, age, ethnic, etc.  It is wrong for women to have the same job as a male but not have insurance.  That is discrimination and I have been discriminated against in this manner.  Health care needs and over haul so that Amercans can get medical assistance.  It is about saving lifes not losing them because America health Insurance System needs overhauled.   Women or children should not  be punished just because they are from single parent families.  Wake up Washington you are hurting Americans and the deversity that America is about.  God please help our health care system save lifes not hurt lifes and their families.    I have spoke to many elderly that have worked all their life but they have to do without because our health system is failing Americans.