Guaranteed Healthcare

Independent Trucker Loses Business and His Dream

"As an owner/operator in the trucking industry, I was contracted to a major trucking company. I purchased my health insurance at what was to me an enormous monthly cost of $760 through that company," said Lyle Schiele of Dallas, Texas.

"In February 2006, I had some minor chest pains. Doctors found clogged coronary arteries and treated them with stents in two locations. As a result of this diagnosis and treatment, I was medically disqualified from trucking for 90 days. As a contractor, I wasn't covered by COBRA and therefore lost my health insurance."

"After returning to trucking as an owner/operator and applying with several different insurance companies, I found none would sell me any health insurance.  Recently, as a matter of necessity, I sold my truck and went to work as a driver with a company, primarily for the health insurance benefit."

"I was not looking for a handout. I don't mind paying my own way. But I am no longer given that opportunity. The 'American Dream' of owning and operating one's own business and success based on one's ability and performance has been taken away. Because of the health insurance issue I can no longer operate as an independent again," Schiele said.  Most recently, Schiele said that the cost of fuel adds to his worries about ever returning to an independent trucking operation.

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Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

For more information, or to contact this patient: Liz Jacobs, RN 510/273-2232.