Our Stories
If we cannot ensure that every Oregonian has access to healthcare, who suffers and who dies?
There are many healthcare stories in this state. Far too many of them involve financial loss, needless pain, and even premature death. Read on to learn more about some of these stories from other Oregonians.
If you’d like to share your story with Health Care for All Oregon, please do so here.
Kristi Reynolds loses job (and health insurance) because of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Shelly Crespi asks legislators to improve our health care system
Business owner Jim Cameron wants single payer health care for all, feels current system is cruel, irresponsible
Lawrence Jacobson of Manzanita: “My drug costs are soaring. Some time ago, my long-time prostate medication was dropped by my Medicare Supplement Plan. Now, it's also been dropped from 340B rural health coverage. My out of pocket costs are now 8x higher, and that's after meeting the pharmacy deductible!”
Sarah Brightman of Junction City, a mother of three, accumulated $70,000 in medical bills for her son over 5 years. Each year the family maxed out their deductible for him. That meant the family did not have money for other activities such as summer camps, vacation trips, household needs.
Deren Ash of Deschutes County: “I had a stroke in my 30’s. I had ‘good’ expensive insurance and no risk factors or preexisting conditions. When I was in the hospital, a team of doctors told me I needed certain care. It required pre-authorization from my insurance company, who dragged their feet while I waited in the hospital. I guess they were hoping I’d give up and go home to suffer. When a team of doctors says I need care but my insurance company delays it, our system is broken. Then I had to pay thousands of dollars because of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, and pay it all again because my deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums reset on the new year.”
Lisa and Chris Heydemann of Wilsonville: “Our daughter Mia is developmentally delayed and deaf. She's the poster child for pre-existing conditions and like many others, we were swimming in medical debt. We short-sold our home because Mia’s care, medications, specialists, hearing aids, and counseling were more important than owning our house. As parents of an adult daughter with developmental disabilities, cuts to medical care would hurt us financially, and dramatically reduce her quality of life. We urge all Oregonians to think hard about the profound impact reducing the availability of medical care will have on the lives of people with disabilities.”
