43.6 million Americans in the richest country have no health care coverage.I am one of them.

I last had comprehensive major medical and dental coverage in 2001.I went to bed at night worry free. I knew if I needed care it would be at my fingertips.That was an empowering feeling.I had the safety net I so needed.Today that is no longer the case.

Recently I had an accident and a visit to the emergency room via ambulance.Despite my pain I was concerned about first, the cost of the ambulance ride.When I arrived and learned xrays were ordered my little brain calculator went into overdrive.I was in a panic.

After my release I with great hesitation made my way to the cashier window.There I learned I needed to make a good faith payment of $150!!! I gave them what I had,which was significantly lessI but I did made payment in good faith.I am apprehensive about receiving the bill. Whatever the amount it will be more than my budget can sustain.

Over the years I have had few serious health related issues and coverage was not a major priority.I have since seen the light.I failed to realize I will age and with age my and your bodies change and even break down.We experience things unlike anything we could have ever imagined in our nightmares.I remember my Osteoarthritis diagnosis.I was floored,I could not believe it was happening to me.Come on after all, that only happens to old people.That is what I wanted to believe.I was diagnosed when I was 43 years old.

I only get to the doctor about once a year.The vists are not preventative,no just going to the doctor for my routine yearly work up.I go when there is a problem.I pay out of pocket for his services and my care is limited, I only get what I can pay for.

My health is at stake.I know some will argue we all need to be able to take care of ourselves and that my and your health needs are not all important to them.They are in disagreement with any plan that will require them to put into a healthcare fund.I am not saying anyone should be forced to do that.What I am saying to the companies is make it affordable for all.

I learned in 1994 that having life insurance was not all that great.My parents paid into several life insurance policys for 30 plus years and at their deaths all the policies were less than 10k.They did not understand how it truly worked.Sadly the agents were no help.They did not have their policy holders best interest in mind.

So where do we go from here? When will we be able to afford to live?