Guaranteed Healthcare

In Feb of 2002, the day after my 52nd birthday,I had a stroke and a subsequent cranieotomy. On the right side of my brain there was a hematoma the size of a lemon that had to be removed. I was taken to the ED the next morning. I spent two weeks in ICU and another 2 weeks in the hospital. I was extrememly lucky and did very well. I spent some time in rehabilitation and another month at home in rehabilitation. During my stint in rehabilitation there were other patients I spoke to who had insurance but maybe a twenty percent copay. If there hospital stay was 100,000 they could still owe 20,000 and some could not work. I managed on short term disability and was finally able to return to work. I also acquired a seizure disorder and was unbale to drive for about one year. I was worried about losing my house and many other financial problems.

My entire hospitalization was paid for through my insurance which I am tremendously thankful for. There are many others who have not been as fortunate. We need health insurance for all people. It is time to change our archaic health industry. There are too many without insurance or are under insured. If I did not have health insurance or was underinsured i do not know if I would be writing this today. It is completely unfair and negligent to not have insurance for all people in the United States. We need health insurance for all in California.