Tell Us Your Health Care Story

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/01/15/tell-us-your-health-care-story/

In South Dakota, Kim’s brother Kent hadn’t seen a doctor in years because he couldn’t afford health insurance and certainly couldn’t pay the doctor’s bill out of his own pocket. By the time his bladder cancer was diagnosed in 2003, it was too late. Kent died less than two years later.



Kim was one of the first people who responded to the AFL-CIO and Working America’s 2008 Health Care for America Survey that asks working families about their experiences with the nation’s health care system. We released the survey to a group of union and community activists yesterday—and it already has generated nearly 2,000 responses and more than 500 personal stories of how the nation’s health care system has failed workers and their families. (You can vote on stories you think make the most impact here.)



Today, we’re rolling out the survey nationwide. With the 2008 election campaign in full swing and poll after poll showing that voting Americans say health care is one of the most important issues facing the country today, the survey will put a working families’ face on the raw numbers reflected in the polls.



The survey offers a unique opportunity for you to make your voice heard on the cost of health insurance, quality of health care, access to prescription drugs, solutions to the wide array of health care problems we all face—and impress upon candidates just how important health care is as a voting issue in 2008. Along with specific questions on affordability and quality, experiences with insurance companies, hospitals and doctors and suggested remedies, the survey also gives you the chance to tell your own story.



The survey runs through February and results will be given to the presidential, congressional, state and local candidates to ensure that candidates at every level will understand what working families are experiencing. (Check out a comparison of the 2008 presidential candidates’ health care proposals here.)



Here are just a few excerpts from the survey responses we’ve received so far.

FULL story at link.

Story is here: http://www.healthcareisnotacommodity.org/?p=3

Going to submit it now.

On Edit -- kicking and recommending. :hi: