Guaranteed Healthcare

The Perils of Pre-Existing Conditions and the Struggle of 29-Year-Old Critical Care Nurse

"Due to the high stress I have experienced as a registered nurse in a critical-care environment, and sometimes the requirement to work odd shifts, I developed a condition called irritable bowel syndrome with abdominal pain and constipation," said Tina Marino from Phoenix, Arizona. "As a result of my diagnosis, I am unable to secure individual health insurance coverage."

"Overall, I am pretty healthy; I don't smoke, and have never been hospitalized. I was declined healthcare coverage because of my history of irritable bowel syndrome. In order to pay down my debts, I am working through a nurse staffing agency for the higher wages, but health benefits don't come with the job."  

Single Mom Fights to Give Daughter a Chance

"I'm a very hard-working single mom, but my income puts me in the no man's land of making too much for assistance but not enough to support my daughter and me," explains Carolyn Freeman of Cottonwood, Ariz. "I make sure my daughter has health insurance, but it comes with lifetime exclusion for anything related to her stomach."

"I pay $69.95 a month for a 'discount plan' for myself that saves me very little and requires me to travel 50 to 100 miles to a doctor who accepts the plan. I have three test orders from my doctor, including an endoscopy and sonogram, but I simply can't afford them."