Tell Us Your Story

The Families USA Consumer Story Bank

For many years, Families USA has maintained a database that documents hundreds of health care hardship stories. Stories about the experiences of real people help make difficult and often complex policy issues understandable to a broader group. Reporters and policy makers find the stories useful to better illustrate the everyday struggles that Americans face concerning their health care. We obtain permission from each consumer before releasing his or her story.

Here are just a few examples of the kinds of stories we're collecting right now:

Health Care and the Economy

• If medical bills have forced you into bankruptcy or foreclosure, please fill out the form below.
• If the economic downturn has affected your health care options, such as whether or not you can purchase coverage or pay for the medication, doctor visits, or other care you need, please tell us about it.

Uninsured Adults

• If you are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition, unaffordable premiums, or any other reason, we'd like to hear from you.
• If your lack of insurance has caused you to delay or cut back on care for a serious illness, please fill out the form below.

Children's Health Insurance

• If you have or know any uninsured children, please share their story.
• If you have children or know children who have benefited from the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), please fill out the form below.

Medicare Part D and the Doughnut Hole

• If you are having difficulty enrolling in Medicare Part D, are confused by the program, have fallen into the coverage gap known as the "doughnut hole," or have enrolled in a plan that is not working for you, please fill out the form below.

Private Insurance Market

• If you have private insurance but still struggle to pay your premiums, copayments, and/or deductibles, please fill out the form below.
• If you have private insurance but your insurance company will not cover the care that your doctor says you need, please tell us your story.
• If you were dropped from your insurance for any reason, please fill out the form below.
• If the failing economy is affecting your health care decisions, please fill out the form below.

High-Risk Pools

If your state has a high-risk pool (a group plan that will provide coverage for many consumers who are denied other types of coverage) but you can't afford the premiums, can't get into the pool, or don't feel that the coverage is adequate, please fill out the form below.

Other Stories

If you've had any experiences that illustrate the need for better, more comprehensive, and more affordable health coverage, please fill out the form below.

To learn more about our story bank, or if you would like to distribute hard copies of our Tell Us Your Story form to local consumers, advocates, and health care professionals, please download this story bank brochure. We appreciate your support in helping us collect these valuable personal health care stories.

If you would like to share your story, please do so below. Your story can make a difference.