Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.
Carol Matthews
Des Moines, IA
In July of 2004, my husband Dan was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Before he died the terrible death that cancer so often brings, he went through 8 months of costly medical treatment. It feels ironic to say I was lucky. However, had Dan not had such excellent insurance coverage, I would be in financial ruins today.
As a young widow, I had to go on COBRA after my husband died. I paid an exorbitant amount of money each month for the privilege of continued coverage. I'm not sure how I got by--and the COBRA payment was, by far, my greatest monthly expense. Unemployed and depressed after losing my young spouse, I struggled to make the monthly payment. My insurance challenges did not end when I went back to work and received insurance coverage as one of my benefits.
In October of 2008, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Although my employer is a good boss and provides solid healthcare coverage, I feel trapped because I know that I don't have the freedom to make professional decisions without considering whether or not I'll have health insurance. Because I am now terrified to lose my insurance (I will most likely be uninsurable for several years following my cancer diagnosis, despite the fact that I am now cancer-free and face a low risk of relapse), I felt forced to choose to take a position I would not choose if losing healthcare were not a fear.
Health care for all Americans should be a right of citizens in an enlightened, advanced society. No one should be forced into poverty because of medical bills or trapped in unpleasant employment for fear of losing their insurance benefits.
Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley
Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs
