Health Care

Dear President Obama, I'm hoping you will read this note. I truly can't believe the state that the health care system is at in this country, and the fact that so many want to fight you on this. I was in a car accident in 2006 and have third degree burns and grafts from the waist down. I had health insurance through a major company. When my bill came for my 15 day stay in the hospital it read: Insurance Pays $5,ooo Patient Pays $40,000 Seriously, unless you are a corporate CEO living with all your riches, who has that kind of money? The hospital said I cannot negotiate the bill until it goes to collections. So, I've had to sit and wait until a month ago, when it was finally turned over. The bill is now up to $50,000 and accruing 1% interest every month. When you gave your speech about changing the health care system, that was the first time in my life I had ever tuned in to listen to a President speak about anything. So much that you said hit home with me. I now am considered someone with a pre existing condition. Do I take meds? NO. Do I see a doctor for my burns? NO. I just have severe scars. So if scars are considered a pre existing condition, shouldn't everyone have one then? I started my own business in 2009 so I have the worst coverage and pay so much for my plan. Last, I will never forget something you said when you gave your speech that night about health care, "no one in this country should go bankrupt because of an injury or health condition." Well, since my bill has come in I have had to meet with a bankruptcy attorney to see what my options are. I qualify for Chapter 7, so if that is what I will have to do the hospital will lose money, my credit card company will lose all their money, and I will have this on my credit for ten years. All because of these insurance companies not paying what they should be. I have a very good friend who lives in Toronto and we added up what he pays in taxes as a single person and what a single person here in the US pays and he pays less and his health care is included. I am an avid listener of Howard Stern and he agrees with so many of your decisions. His partner Robin Quivers, who does the news, once discussed a recent survey that came out of the top seven advanced countries in the world. The survey was based on quality of health care and the cost. The US was ranked first the most expensive country for the cost of their health care and we ranked last for the quality. What does that say about what has happened in this country? I sincerely hope this letter somehow reaches you. I think you are doing an amazing job and people want to forget what was happening before you came into office. There were bad decisions that had been made for eight years and you were thrown right into the mess that was left. I couldn't be happier with everything you are trying to do. Keep your head up have a beer tonight. Signed, Another Bankrupt Citizen of the US Health Care System Kirsten