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Why People with HIV Need Health Care Reform
 The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is working with a broad coalition of AIDS organizations to collect individual healthcare stories from people across the U.S. living with HIV/AIDS. These personal anecdotes help us creatively and effectively appeal to members of Congress and President Obama to support the strongest healthcare-reform provisions possible. Additionally, these stories generate media attention on the importance of healthcare reform for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Read HIV-Related Talking Points on Health Care Reform here.
Please consider sharing your story confidentially by clicking here.
Read health care nightmares here.
Help us gather nightmare stories!
Download resources from the Health Care Reform Toolkit here.
Health Care Stories from Across the Country
 “I cannot get any insurance other than Medicare because of my HIV…because of my need to change drugs that become unbearable due to the side effects, my doctor has to go through a ‘state approval’ process which can be lengthy....” Ryan, Georgia
Quality public health insurance options would allow HIV-positive individuals on strict prescription med regimens like Ryan the opportunity to collaborate with his doctor and eliminate life-threatening, prescription approval wait times. Read Ryan's full story here.
 “I lost my job, health insurance, home, car, savings, and credit rating along with my health, friends and dignity…” Christine Harris, Texas
Forcing vulnerable individuals suffering from chronic health conditions to wait two years before becoming eligible for Medicare jeopardizes their health by limiting access to proper, affordable treatment, and eliminating the Medicare waiting period will allow individuals access to continuous and reliable care immediately. Read Christine's full story here.
 “I want to work, to be a productive member of society, however, by doing so, I risk losing what little health care I have and my drugs alone cost $41,000 last year, and that was not including the hospital visits I had the prior 3 years!...I find myself trying to decide between living off of the government to obtain medical care, or work and lose all of it.” Susan, Illinois
Susan should not have to choose between working and keeping medical coverage; expansion of current government-funded health assistance programs like Medicare to a more realistic and inclusive federal poverty level could allow her to work and continue to receive much-needed state support. Read Susan's full story here.
 “Because I was on disability, COBRA allowed me to extend coverage by 11 months, but at the same time it allows providers to increase premiums by 50%. Of course the insurer did so, and now I’m paying $750 per month – nearly half of my SSD benefits – for insurance... ” Nelson, Mississippi
Inadequate public health care options forces individuals like Kyle to go uninsured while waiting for Medicare eligibility, which puts already economically-underprivileged people at a greater disadvantage of accessing quality health care at the most vulnerable time. Read Nelson's full story here.
Read more stories here.
AFC’s Healthcare Hero-in-Chief, Melanie Paul
 On August 4th, AFC’s very own Supportive Housing Program Coordinator Melanie Paul shared the podium with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis (D-Chicago), and others to demand real health care reform at a major Chicago rally. Melanie told her story to let Congress know that yes, it can be nearly impossible to stay healthy when you have a medical history, even if you are employed and insured. She is just one of millions of Americans whose very wellbeing is put at risk because of our broken health insurance system.
See pictures from the rally here.
Collaborators and Partners
Please become a Health Care Stories partner by helping to collect stories about why people with HIV need health care reform. Feature the icon (on the left) on your organization’s website, and link to this page to read the stories people have submitted. Here’s some language you can put on your page:
Individual Stories Needed to Advocate for Federal Health Care Reform: We are collaborating with AIDS organizations across the country to collect individual health care stories from people living with HIV/AIDS. Personal anecdotes, like your own, will help us advocate with Congress and President Obama for the strongest health care provisions possible. Featuring such stories in the media can also help influence public opinion and strengthen demand for an affordable, high-quality, insurance options, including a much-needed public plan. Your story can make the difference! Tell us your story today! Read stories others have submitted!
Media
 Check out the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) Vice President David Munar live on CNN talking about why people living with HIV/AIDS need comprehensive health care reform.
Media interested in interviewing HIV-positive people about health-coverage issues should contact AFC VP of Communications Johnathon Briggs at jbriggs@aidschicago or 312-334-0922.
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