Outrageous Costs

Sharon has worked in the food industry for 18 years. For 10 years had a family health insurance plan that cost about $200 a month, then in 2001, her employer cut benefits (as so many smaller firms have done in recent years) and started offering a new health insurance plan with less comprehensive coverage. Figuring having some health insurance was better then having none at all, Sharon enrolled. But after a trip to the doctor and subsequent tests and procedures - including a mammogram, sonograms and a stereotactic biopsy to remove two precancerous growths - Sharon unexpectedly found herself thousands of dollars in debt because her insurance plan only covered a small fraction of the costs. She tried to apply for financial assistance, but because she technically had insurance, she wasnt eligible for help. The fine print of insurance policies are notoriously difficult to understand, and often result in confusion over what is and isnt covered. Sharon set up a payment plan and eventually paid off her medical bills, but not before being harassed by bill collectors asking her to send more money.Organizing for America has collected hundreds of thousands of personal health care stories. The grassroots effort is building support in communities across the country for a plan that adheres to President Obama's three principles for reform: lowering costs, preserving patient choice and increasing access to quality care.

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: BarackObamadotcom

Length: 03:15
Rating: 4.5513306
Views: 8540

Tags: organizing for america health care insurance reform

Video Comments

sayuri64000(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

l love

megarational(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The real complete equations are: universal health care financing = eveyone contributes = everyone, regardless of income, is covered. Our current system = some don't chose to contribute, but when they end up in the emergency ward we have to pay for them. More choice = no choice if you can't afford ridiculously high premiums and whatever choice the insurance co's give you when they deny your claim.

TheQueenRat(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

ha really?

JAYMZACHILLES(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

OBAMA WILL FIX THIS MESS :) im from the uk soon to be liveing in the usa :) and i have full confidence that this man MR OBAMA will change the usa for the better :)

Lordes(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You are saying that since I live in an area I should accept and love all things about it. So when this healthcare plan gets passed you will be anti-American I you don't love it. Am I correct? I do not love everything about Texas. It's a backwards place. I do love america. You are what's called a fascist nationalist. You deserve no respect. When the plan gets passed, if you don't like it, "move out of america!!!" how's that for your own medicine? Lol

esd2000(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I think she said it was insurance through her employer, not something she signed up for. And yea she probably should pay something, but her insurance pay a couple of hundred of a ten thousand dollar bill doesn't really sound like insurance. Or should I say good insurance.

esd2000(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Some of you who comment have no heart, compassion, morals, or a fully functional brain.

Lordes(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

you have lost all common sense and communication skills. lol

lightsout38(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

so you admit your are anti texas and anti american....good......I'm glad you can at least understand your own hypocrisy....enjoy watching your dismal healthcare plan crash and burn hahaha

lightsout38(November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Your'e having trouble understanding what I'm saying but I guess I can try and spoon feed it to you in more lay terms (lay means simple) universal health care = everyone has to pay whether they want to or not. Our current system = you have a choice. more choice = more freedom.