I have always been responsible for getting health insurance, either privately, or group health insurance through my job. However, since becoming unemployed and the COBRA subsidy ending, I am no longer able to afford health insurance, and I have also been denied insurance because of minor preexisting conditions. I am not eligible for Medicare yet and do not qualify for charity care. Even when I had full coverage with Anthem-Blue Cross, I had to pay $950 for a colonoscopy. Wading through all the various healthcare plans in the past has been very time consuming and confusing. I have spent much time seeking and applying for healthcare coverage, and it has caused a lot of needless stress in my life, which is not good for my health. It would give me much peace of mind, save time and energy, and be affordable IF we had a single payer healthcare system based on equity and compassion instead of profit.
Kathy Varnam