"I didn't have health insurance again until this year when I began working for Apple. I had a relapse and this time my blood went even lower to 2,000 platelets which is extremely dangerous. Another week in the hospital, and only transfusions of IVIG, I am still not responding to the Prednisone which has kept me off work, caused me to gain 25 pounds and is making me almost suicidal.

"My hematologist has another drug, Rituxan that will provide better results than the Prednisone that I am not responding to. Unfortunately, Rituxan is $4,000 per shot as it is an IV drug. My insurance carrier, United Healthcare, does not want to cover the cost of this drug. So, despite my deductible and out-of-pocket maximum having been reached, I still cannot get this drug. I find this disgusting and I am suffering. My co-insurance bills continue to come in everyday and are much more than I can afford making $12 per hour," said Mira as she continued fighting for the medication her doctor would like her to try and that she hopes will offer better relief from her pain.

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Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

For more information, or to contact this patient: Liz Jacobs, RN 510/273-2232.

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By Donna Smith

CHICAGO — From the streets of San Francisco on June 19th to the sidewalks of Washington, DC, on September 22nd and now on to the Magnificent Mile in Chicago on October 23rd, the nurses are making sure they spread the single payer message directly to the for-profit insurance company industry trade group, AHIP (America's Health Insurance Plans), with more than 1,300 member insurance companies. 

In Chicago, like in DC, NNOC nurses joined with local single payer activists and those concerned about healthcare justice in hazmat suits and with caution tape to present a visual image of the dangerous insurance industry dealings that cause suffering and even death by injecting profit motive into the U.S. healthcare system.

Despite cold temperatures and the watchful eyes of several AHIP attendees, Dorothy Ahmad, RN, turned the heat up with a call for the end of the profit-taking middlemen in the healthcare system as James Thindwa from Chicago's Jobs With Justice holds the bullhorn and gets ready to declare the quarantine successful and Chicago safe from more damage done by those who would profit from denying care to sick Americans who trusted their insurance plans would keep them protected.

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If you’re like me, you search online for anything you need. If the pipes get clogged and you need a plumber, you look for one online. If your car breaks down and you don’t know a good mechanic, ditto.

But what about insurance? When you feel like you’re paying too much to cover your car or home—or you need to see the doctor and don’t have health coverage—do you know how to find the best deals and get cheap insurance online without spending all day doing it?

Though it’s wise to learn some basic insurance terms before trying to lower your rates on the Internet (see our handy-dandy insurance glossary for quick help here), you might be surprised how fast you can apply for free insurance quotes and get competitive rates online.

But what’s the difference in shopping for insurance online and fulfilling some other need there? Searching for a plumber, mechanic or other service provider requires calling each one, relaying the problem, asking for hourly rates and waiting for someone to come fix the problem (or standing in line for hours at the local repair shop to get it taken care of).

But to shop for insurance online, you can use a web site like InsureMe, spend just a few minutes completing our easy form, get matched with local insurance agents in minutes, and get multiple quotes faster than you can say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”—from anywhere in the world.

Seriously, as you’ve probably seen in the news lately, many insurance companies are hurting—just like the rest of us—and that leaves you in the driver’s seat when it comes to getting insured. So for the most competitive rates, hop online and find cheap insurance now. It’s much less hassle than you may think!

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