Today we are taking the day 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.

Cathy Warner
Des Moines, IA

I knew a woman, Karen Ellis, who lost her job and had to resign from the Broadlawns Hospital Board of Trustees due to health complications with cancer. Karen didn't have health insurance after she left her job. Throughout her cancer treatment Karen had been hospitalized several times. Her potassium levels were fluctuating. She was told she needed to get her potassium levels checked frequently. Costs for this would have been around $900 per test. Karen couldn't afford these expensive tests and had to go without labs.

Just after these complications Karen passed away in her home. I was told that this was probably the cause of death. This was a woman that worked in health care for years, was active in health care issues and was left with no coverage for her necessary lab tests. This just shouldn't be. The worst part is Karen's story is common. Some 22,000 people a year die simply because they don't have insurance to seek proper treatment. People need affordable options besides just employment benefits to secure health care coverage.

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