One of the things that really upsets me about the US system...People have referenced how insurance is usually obtained through your employer. If you don't have an employer (or a spouse that does) you have to buy private insurance that is usually more expensive and doesn't usually cover as much. That is, IF they will sell it to you.

Before I got married, I was self-employed, so I was supposed to buy one of those private plans. However, because of my psych diagnosis and meds, no company would accept me for medical insurance at all! Even though I was young and healthy otherwise, I was too "high risk" to insure. This is not small issue. If you wind up in the hospital w/o insurance the cost could be crushing. My friend had a baby at the hospital w/o insurance. Everything went well and it was a textbook delivery. It cost them $20,000.

They are working on reforms to address this. After a mandatory period w/o insurance (during which I was lucky enough not to need much medical care) I was able to buy a state subsidized insurance for us high risk folks. Unfortunately, that program was just cancelled due to running out of funds. Supposedly, the new health care reform that takes effect in 2014 will prevent denial for pre-existing conditions. However, the health insurance companies are always one step ahead of the game and they have a lot of power. And many politicians and citizens don't want the reform to occur.

Sorry so long. It is something that really bothers me. I believe everyone should have access to health care.

Best,
EJ