I had a serious childhood illness - sort of like spinal meningitis - that led to a three-month hospitalization. Afterward, I couldn't be insured because of a pre-existing condition.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
For many years I didn't have health insurance.
People won't buy insurance until they're sick. If you can call on your way to the hospital and get coverage, it's not really insurance at that point.
My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.
What's more difficult than knowing there's an effective treatment for your children, but you can't afford to offer it to them because it's not covered by insurance?
I was born three weeks early, and I kept being ill. From the age of zero to four, I was always in hospital having tests done, but they couldn't find out what was wrong. They discovered that one of my kidneys wasn't working properly, and it had scarred. I had to have 32 injections in my arm in the morning and evening to try and make me better.
My fiancee's brother-in-law was recently paralysed in an accident and it really brought home the fact that thousands of young people live with spinal injuries. It's an issue I wish had more coverage.
I'm ticking things off my list: I had a tumor removed; I had spinal surgery; I had four surgeries in three months.
For many Americans, including many who are employed, going to the doctor when they fall ill or become injured may not be an option because of the absence of health insurance.
Pre-existing conditions for those previously insured must not lead to someone being unable to get insurance.
When I was 11, I spent eight months in the hospital with rheumatic fever and almost died.