Aleta TaalI am a single mom with a teenager. Last year, my son Ryan developed Strep throat. We were both uninsured at the time. I was afraid without treatment the

Strep throat would progress to rheumatic fever. I took him to the hospital where the $349 visit included three prescriptions I needed to fill. Forced to choose, I used my rent money to pay for Ryan’s prescriptions. The decision cost an additional $75 late fee for my rent, but what was I to do? You have a sick kid and you have to spend your rent money.

Now Ryan has insurance, but I still don't.

I recently had oral surgery. Unfortunately, the dental work became infected. Without money for the antibiotic, I spent countless sleepless nights in pain treating it with salt water.

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Mike Bryant Mike is a self-employed home remodeling contractor who, in February, was diagnosed with cancer – Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the throat. Due to high costs, we have no health insurance. Mike has always been healthy, but recently had to undergo aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Mike’s diagnosis gave us a crash course in the holes of our safety net. We’ve learned so much stuff – it just blows our minds. Until you get into a situation like this you don’t see. At first we were terrified, then scared and then angry.

"We would have qualified for OHP-Standard, Oregon’s Medicaid program, but it is closed. We would qualify for an insurance subsidy, but there is a waiting list of over a year. Instead of finding help in our time of need, we’ve found that budget cuts over the last few years mean we can’t get the assistance we need. We’re really disappointed in government. It’s all about the mighty dollar and not taking care of us and lots of families like us.  Thank God our kids are grown – I couldn’t see how we’d do it.”

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Taneisha WhiteI’m a single mom with 4 kids and work full-time for an employer who provides health care benefits to me and my family. Due to the high co-pays, though, I spend over $250 a month on prescription drugs for my daughter. My daughter, John-Yell, has asthma and a heart condition that require prescription medication to keep her alive. The high cost of prescriptions takes a large chunk out of our family’s budget.

I’m chair of Oregon Action’s health care committee, which is an ally of Oregonians for Health Security. Our committee is working to enact reforms that would help my family and others like my throughout the state. I recently got the opportunity to share my experience with the health care system at a health care forum in Portland.

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