I am very fortunate. I am a 59 year old US Citizen. I have good employer-provided health insurance. I had 2 brain surgeries 7/31/07 and late 9/07 to remove a benign cerebellum tumor and fix some complications, the 2nd one at one of the best University teaching hospitals around. I had 2 in-patient rehabilitation stays after each surgery, and home health care with visiting nurses, PT and OT visits, and outpatient PT. I am returning to work full time on 3/28/08 with some side effects and can't drive yet. I am not sure I will be able to continue working but I'll give it a go.

Just the surgeries alone, the hospital bills ONLY (MRIs not included either) was over $230,000. There were many more expensive claims for doctors, MRIs, consults, and stuff I do not understand. Fortunately, health insurance covered the bills so far. I am still waiting for the neuro opthamologist bills too.

All claims were paid by my insurance. The insurance company did not screw me over. My tumor was a complete surprise to me. I just had simple headaches.

Many people have no support network either. They live alone or with other sick or elderly perhaps, or people trying to survive in the surreal world of Bushchenystan, those without health insurance. They are people who do not matter in Bushchenystan.

The insurance beancounters treated me right but because they sent me home too early after the 1st surgery to remove the tumor, I was back in the hospital for 14 days of in-patient rehab that cost them more money. They paid it too. The insurance said 14 days rehab. That's what I got. The doctors go by the max out time of the insurance.

I have a wife, son at home and a lot of friends and a good neighbor who helped, and looked in on me while I recovered. Others like me or worse do not. Perhaps they recover, or die, with no insurance, and/or network. Not everyone in America has a big family local, or the church group, etc. to support them thru a serious illness. I own my home so far. Others are being evicted in Bushcheneystan. They don't matter.

This is what its like when you do have insurance and a family. And, it isn't a walk in the park by any means. It took 9 months and I still have a way to go. I sat in a chair for 12 straight hours for months so my wife could work and keep our health insurance. I am lucky. What happened to me could happen to anyone at any time. One day I was putting ceiling fans up drinking a beer after driving back from a hardware store, the next day I was flat on my back for months fighting for my life.
The health insurance, my network, and the Family Medical leave Act saved my life and my job. I go back tommorrow.

Why do you have to be lucky to expect to survive and afford insurance if you are not rich? It's wrong. People have a right not a privilege to a life. It says so in the Declaration of Independence. It's not that complicated really.

I believe in God. I made a vow that if I lived I will help the poor, and/or homeless 1 or 2 days/week. I already signed up at a charity that can use me.