On Friday, August 8th, Healthcare United, in tandem with Oregonians for Health Security, hosted a Women's and Children's Roundtable in Portland, Oregon.  Special Guests included U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenhauer, State Rep. Carolyn Tomei, and State Rep. Diane Rosenbaum. Healthcare United caregivers brought their children (myself, included), and we discussed the need for justice in the healthcare system for our families.

At the forum, we heard from the U.S. Rep Blumenhauer and the state legislators.  They each focused on how important it is for people like us (e.g., women involved in community-oriented, politically active groups) to voice our concerns and be involved in the political debate around healthcare.

A few stories stuck out in my mind. One woman spoke of a 9-year-old girl who was playing in the backyard with her younger brother, who was 5, when he stepped on a nail.  The little girl pulled out the nail and there was no bleeding.  She knew that if they told her parents about it, then there would be a fight between her parents over money, and so she decided not to tell them.  The next day, her little brother wouldn't wake up in the morning. He was sweating and unresponsive, and so she finally told her mother what had happened and they rushed him to the ER.   

Another woman spoke of having to chose to work 30 hours a week and have health insurance - and miss out on the lives of her young children - or to work 20 hours and see her kids, but have no insurance.
 
I also shared my own story.  After my son's surgery, which was pre-approved by an insurance company, they denied payment. I was left to fight with them back and forth for over 3 years before they finally coughed up the money to pay it.  If I had been ill, or not versed in how insurance companies worked (one of the many rewards of being an RN), I, too, may be one of the many Americans who had to file for bankruptcy over medical bills.
 
The event emphasized the pressures put upon families who do not have access to health care, are underinsured, or who have no means of navigating our complex system, and the serious consequences that can arise from access issues.

To get active in your own state, please head on over to our States page, where you can learn more about what your state’s Healthcare United chapter is doing to help make healthcare happen!