Guaranteed Healthcare

I watched three loved ones die without access to healthcare, and ever since then have prayed that I won't be next. My Aunt Janet was my age, 43, when she succumbed to cancer. Without insurance or money, she waited until the pain was disabling to go in and seek care. She had bone cancer, and went quickly.

My two friends, both in their 20's, had similar fates...both passed away before 30 of cancer, both unable to go in and seek care without insurance. In my case, I've been struggling with major depression for many years, as well as MRSA and frequent lung problems. Had TB as a child, and am supposed to get regular lung x-rays, though I haven't had one for over 10 years. I have severe lung congestion from a bad cold, and painful MRSA outbreaks all over my body, even my face. I saved money last year to see a doctor, and he told me to, "get my immune system together," because the MRSA was and still is rampant.

Creativity and hope have gotten me through so far. I take the bus and trolley down to County Mental Health for my anti-depressant prescription. Luckily, so far it has been practically free, which is a huge blessing. But the last time I went there, the doctor on duty told me not to come back--they could no longer service me, as it was an emergency room only, and I was becoming a regular. Unfortunately I have been unable to get into any local hospital mental health programs, as they are impacted and not accepting new patients. So I ration my meds, taking days off here and there to stretch them. The result is bad--dizziness and many low days for sure. And I'm not sure I can even get any more. : 0

And the MRSA--I got creative and went to Tijuana to get some help--picked up a tube of Bactroban which does help somewhat to clear up the cysts, but not with the pain. It only cost $10--I cried when he told me! In the US it costs $60 or so to see a doctor, and then $60 for the tube--$120 I simply did not have! Have also tried at least eight rounds of antibiotics for MRSA, but I think that my childhood spent on antibiotics leaves me unresponsive to them, there was no relief from the symptoms. I'm now so desperate that I'm taking a new form of stabilized oxygen, makes chlorine dioxide in the body and (hopefully) breaks down pathogen walls. Crossing my fingers!

I feel strongly that allowing so many to go without will cost us so much more in the end. And why do we have to watch as our friends pass away? It's one sure way to trim down the population, but the cost is too great. Love and peace to all others who are suffering at the hands of a greedy and uncaring administration and their millionaire friends.