Selling health insurance is no guarantee of a decent policy Posted by Meg at 11/24/08 03:43 PM

With a shortage of quality, affordable heath coverage options on the market, Ken's customers - and his own family - endure expensive, unreliable health insurance

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (4)

One Woman's Desperate Plea Posted by Blake at 11/21/08 08:32 PM

Moving from job to job doesn’t just mean unpredictable income, constantly learning new responsibilities, and re-adjusting to a new workplace. For many, such as Mary in Lexington Park, MD, it also means a life of poor health insurance or no insurance at all. In her words she’s been “uninsured or underinsured” for most of her life, and it’s begun take a toll on her health.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Cover America Tour (Re)Union Posted by Meg at 11/19/08 10:14 PM

Thousands of miles traveled - and none of them in an RV. Cover America Tour story sharers came from all corners of the country to Consumers Union headquarters for the second annual Activist Summit.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

The plight of the uninsured... doctor Posted by Meg at 11/05/08 03:14 PM

Turns out that no one - not even a doctor - is immune to outrageous premiums and denial for pre-existing conditions.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

All of that money gone, and for what? Posted by Meg at 09/22/08 05:55 PM

Savings account drained, Cindy and her daughters teeter on the edge of living uninsured.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

The end of the beginning Posted by Meg at 09/18/08 05:03 PM

The first 17,000 miles were only the beginning on the road to health care reform.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

My Lousy Insurance Ate My Stimulus Check Posted by Blake at 09/16/08 06:10 PM

The Cover America Tour trekked across America's heartland for a second time on our way from the Democratic National Convention in Denver to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. On the way we interviewed Barbara from Le Mars, IA.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

That'll teach you to use your health insurance Posted by Meg at 09/16/08 03:05 AM

Kim is used to taking on the giants in the pharmaceutical world in the fight for safer drugs. But she was blindsided by another giant - her own insurance company - and found herself in a battle to keep her health insurance.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (3)

Somewhere between insured and uninsured Posted by Meg at 09/15/08 11:30 PM

Health insurance should be good for more than just cancer or getting hit by a bus.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Daughter's health insurance is priority number one Posted by Meg at 09/13/08 08:46 PM

This young couple goes uninsured but does whatever they can to make sure daughter Fiona stays covered.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Baby born abroad makes for serious savings Posted by Meg at 09/10/08 06:24 AM

Kifah in Chicago Ridge, IL, mother of two, had a financial decision to make about the international birth of her second son.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Conventions recoup and the home stretch Posted by Meg at 09/08/08 02:54 PM

We're down to our last couple of weeks on the road, re-energizing after back to back weeks of convention-mania

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Locals greet the Tour crew at convention city house parties Posted by Meg at 09/05/08 01:16 PM

Gatherings in Denver and Minneapolis provided the perfect opportunities to meet and greet with local consumer advocates and supporters. Want to be a part of the next big get together? Read more.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Cover America Tour spends the week in the Twin Cities Posted by Meg at 09/03/08 01:08 PM

We arrived in St. Paul after a few days' drive from Denver, barely recovered from the DNC but looking forward to a packed week of events at the RNC...

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Going Back to School to Afford Health Care Posted by Blake at 09/02/08 01:02 AM

For 36 years Doris taught 7th through 12th grade English and after saving carefully, paying off her mortgage and considering her options, she decided it was time to retire. Still a few years away from qualifying for Medicare, she must rely on the retiree health insurance that she earned as a teacher, but this hard won benefit has turned out to be a far cry from what she expected.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

DNC to RNC via *all* of the Sioux Cities Posted by Meg at 08/31/08 07:38 AM

GPS has its limitations when you don't know what state you're in

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (4)

The kids come first for these dedicated school employees Posted by Meg at 08/29/08 08:10 PM

For Patricia and Maria, focusing on the needs of their own kids - and other peoples' - means making sacrifices when it comes to their own health care.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

When following the doctor's orders means poor health insurance Posted by Blake at 08/28/08 09:52 PM

After 30 years working in the computer industry - mostly in Silicon Valley - Barry was ready for something new. So at 61, he's actively retraining himself for a career in alternative energy. But he's found that living outside the safety of employer sponsored health insurance has been a rougher road than he imagined.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Bringing health care stories to the conventions Posted by Meg at 08/26/08 09:54 PM

After a summer on the road talking to people from coast to coast about health care, the Cover America Tour asks Denver convention-goers what they think about the problems.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (5)

Cover America Tour hits the Mile High City Posted by Meg at 08/25/08 10:39 PM

First stop: Denver. Next stop: Minneapolis. The Cover America Tour kicked off our conventions leg of the trip, ready to talk health care with the streets full of convention-goers.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Hard Work Doesn't Mean Decent Health Care Posted by Meg at 08/23/08 10:17 PM

Mike and his family put their lives into running a small business, but all that hard work still doesn't add up to affordable health care.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Postcard from the Road: Sedon-ahhh Posted by Meg at 08/22/08 05:57 AM

It didn't take us long to realize: a half day in Sedona just isn't long enough.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Coast to Coast Families Fight Posted by Blake at 08/21/08 04:30 PM

From South Carolina to Sacramento we’ve seen first hand the tragedies hospital-acquired infections can create for a family. During our recent visit to the California state capitol we met Cindy, who discovered she’d contracted MRSA after giving birth to her second child.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

The right career move means bad health care options Posted by Meg at 08/20/08 05:35 PM

Starting her own practice has meant a better life and lower stress for Bobbie. But the trade-off is figuring out how to pay for her health care.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Postcard from the Road: Utah red rocks Posted by Meg at 08/19/08 06:27 AM

The route through southern Utah tops our list of most beautiful drives

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

In sickness and in health Posted by Blake at 08/18/08 09:15 AM

Several years ago Ernest Walston was involved in a severe accident that left him disabled with chronic back pain. Through Ernest’s former employer he and his wife Vivian received health insurance benefits, but after almost three years disabled and living off a pension those benefits are about to change.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

Pushing for reform in California Posted by Meg at 08/16/08 04:20 PM

California health advocates gathered on the lawn of the state capitol building this week to meet the Cover America Tour and speak out in support of several bills pending in the state legislature to improve health care quality and coverage.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Crossing Borders for Prescription Drugs Posted by Blake at 08/15/08 12:03 AM

While in Austin, Texas a few weeks back we sat down with Judith and learned that we aren’t the first ones to travel far and wide for better health care. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, osteoporosis, and mild depression Judith found that the prescriptions she needed were unaffordable even with insurance. This left her with only a few options: forego the medicine entirely, cut the pills in half, or look to other countries for help.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

A calculated decision to go uninsured Posted by Meg at 08/11/08 04:56 PM

Although excited for their second child, the daunting maternity costs are forcing this family to come up with a new strategy for dealing with the bills to come

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (5)

Cover America Tour hits the west coast Posted by Meg at 08/11/08 05:40 AM

It only took us 12,000 miles to get here.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

The ends keep moving Posted by Meg at 08/10/08 06:46 PM

Jeff in Billings, MT describes himself as a little bit of a risk taker. It's a philosophy he applies to his business ventures, as well as his health care coverage.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

No insurance, no worries Posted by Blake at 08/09/08 06:52 AM

Ken retired at age 62 in part because he was worried about the stability of Social Security and wanted to get his piece of the pie while there was still some left. But health insurance was another issue entirely. Three years away from Medicare, Ken had to find coverage for him and his wife. Like many of the folks we have met on the Cover America Tour, the options he found were simply unaffordable.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

A lifelong pursuit of healthcare Posted by Meg at 08/07/08 10:30 PM

A career in teaching has meant years of struggling for health coverage

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Advocates with their own stories to tell Posted by Liz at 08/05/08 05:41 PM

Two weeks ago, we attended the Netroots blogger conference in Austin, TX., a four-day gathering of more than 2,000 bloggers in the heart of the Lone Star State.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Life decisions dictated by health care Posted by Meg at 08/05/08 06:21 AM

From taking - or not taking - jobs to getting married, more and more people are making life decisions based on the ability to get health insurance

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Postcard from the Road: Yellowstone National Park Posted by Meg at 08/04/08 06:41 PM

En route from Billings to Boise, we got to spend a day with the wildlife and geysers in surreal Yellowstone Park

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

First rule: don't get sick Posted by Meg at 08/04/08 12:01 AM

Health care costs are forcing this family to cut corners in ways they've never had to before

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

The blue beast gets a bath Posted by Meg at 08/03/08 11:22 PM

Any idea what 10,000 miles worth of dirt and bugs does to an RV? We found out.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

A loose definition of health insurance Posted by Blake at 08/01/08 06:53 PM

At 50 years old, Matt Herman sold his beer distributorship and retired early. Now he says he just enjoys life through daily golf outings and quality time with his daughter. It’s no secret that he’s done very well for himself - retiring at 50 is out of reach for most Americans. But that doesn’t mean the health care system is working for him. As we’ve traveled the country this summer it’s become clear that people at almost all income levels are having trouble obtaining decent and affordable health insurance.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

Postcard from the Road: Wild Wyoming Posted by Meg at 08/01/08 01:11 AM

... where the buffalo roam

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Paying for health insurance they can't afford to use Posted by Meg at 07/31/08 03:34 PM

Two families just across the Mississippi River from each other tell surprisingly similar stories

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Postcard from the Road: Bighorn National Park Posted by Meg at 07/30/08 07:53 AM

These gorgeous landscapes are really cramping our work style

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

For one mother -- tragedy strikes twice Posted by Blake at 07/29/08 09:42 PM

With a big smile and warm Oklahoma welcome Janne showed us into her home last week. There were no outward signs of the pain and suffering she has lived with every day for 10 years now.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

Postcard from the Road: Dakotas border Posted by Meg at 07/27/08 11:29 PM

We jump for joy... in North Dakota

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

A sad refrain Posted by Meg at 07/27/08 10:24 PM

Health insurance just isn't an option for this violin teacher.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Scene from the RV Posted by Meg at 07/26/08 04:11 PM

The honeymoon's over?

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

Austinites speak out for health care reform Posted by Meg at 07/26/08 04:41 AM

When it comes to health care, this big state faces big problems

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)

Postcard from the Road: St. Joseph, Missouri Posted by Meg at 07/25/08 12:16 AM

Scenes from the heartland

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (2)

Uncertain future for New Orleans hospital - and the uninsured it served Posted by Meg at 07/24/08 06:57 AM

This storm-battered institution closed its doors in 2005 to patients as well as employees. Karen recalls 15 years as a nurse at Charity Hospital, and tells what its closing means for New Orleans.

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (1)

Starting out $9K in debt Posted by Meg at 07/23/08 12:07 AM

John had never second guessed that his insurance would be there when he needed it most

del.icio.us Digg It Google Windows Live Yahoo MyWeb

comments (0)