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.

Kathy Olmstead
Clarion, IA

Kathy can't go back to work at full capacity until she gets her knees and back fixed, but she can't afford to have the procedures unless she works several more hours a week.

Kathy has a very bad back and bad knees that she desperately needs treatment for. Insurance through her former employer was too expensive because the employees were not offered a group discount. Her ailments keep her from her work as a CNA, and unless she can be healthy enough to work long hours as a CNA then she can't afford health insurance to treat the ailments. This catch-22 shows what is wrong with our health care system. People who work hard and play by the rules are driven out of the system because of skyrocketing costs.

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