Public Resources
Community Forum – Share your Stories
Please share your stories with us. Are you having a difficult time obtaining health care? Did you have a good experience with a clinic? Do you have a health story to tell? Using the Comment Bar below, please describe your experience with a clinic, or your experience of being uninsured. The stories will post beneath the comment bar for everyone to read. Thank you for sharing with us.
Please Leave a Story with the Comments Bar, or Read the Patient Stories Below:
I'm writing to you about my current situation regarding my health problems with no insurance. I ended up going to the emergency at Legacy Emanuel hospital last Thursday because I had great pain in my left leg. After some X-rays and an ultra sound they finally found [multiple fractures].?They also gave me some additional information about the fracture saying it could take four weeks or longer to heal and for me to follow up with treatment as advised. They also gave me some paperwork on charity care.
?I live here with my elderly father and mentally challenged brother who I was trying to take care of but now it?s near impossible to do with my condition. I haven't worked in quit a long time because I was also helping to take care of my mother whose health conditions had made her bed ridden here in our living room over a year ago. She passed away this past summer and now my fathers health and the mental state of my brother has made it very difficult for all of us.?I had told my father that I needed to get back to work and I planned on it by the end or this month. It doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon.
[a few weeks later]
I was going to let you know of the final results of everything that has happened since I last called you about my leg.?It turned out to be my old injury to my back which along with the leg injury led to an extreme sciatic pain which shot down my leg and left me crying and hurting for a long time. I did make it to the doctors many more times and have been treated for both injuries and although the pain is sometimes still their, I'm much better now.
I eventually ended up going to OHSU on the hill for a MRI and to the one on 39th and Division for many more visits. I found out I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back. My medical bills were in the thousands and I worried for the longest time, but you were right and the hardship status made my life so much less stressful. Legacy wrote off 100% of the bills and OHSU wrote off 100% for eligible OHSU Patient Business Service billed charges and 50% for eligible OHSU Medical Group charges.
Most of the doctors also wrote them off except a couple so far who are having me pay 50% for Legacy hospital services.
I have been trying to get my self in good enough condition to be able to handle a job that I have an opportunity to work at. I'm?on the list of?[county jobs] to be hired in the next 2 months. I don't know what kind of health questions they will ask but I did great on the test, the interview and the reference checks and I can't pass this chance up. If I can get in condition I can pass the physical and get the job. Thanks for everything.
You have been of the greatest help and have made life for me so much better during this very difficult time. I'm very appreciative and thankful of all that you have done for me.
carol - (originally posted on Mar 24, 2007 11:03:03 pm - at the Uninsured Facts page) It is a shame that there are so many of us citizens that are uninsured, including myself. I have been without healtcare coverage for 7 years. Two factors have contributed to this. One, I went throug divorce and also must stay at home to care for my adult disabled son (aquired brain injury). I have not been able to pay for out of pocket insurance premiums because our income is low. While this is true, I do not qualify for OHP. This does not make sense to me. If we are just getting by, how is it that I don't qualify?? After rent, utilities,auto insurance, groceries, etc. $1,811 mo. there isn't alot left to pay for insurance. I have researched premiums and all are out of reach for me. I have had swelling and pain in my ear for 1 year now and have not been able to have this problem resolved. Everyday I wake my ear and head has pain. I am sure there are thousands of others with similar needs. Legislation needs to take a long hard look at the numbers and realize that preventative medicine saves the state and government more that emergency care. "Healthcare equality for all" thank you
Dear Ms. Hicks:
I would like to acknowledge and compliment the Childrens Community Clinic staff for their professionalism and the medical care received by my children (especially Carlos)..
I am a single mother, educated and professional abruptly unemployed and ineligible at the time Carlos was first seen at your clinic in early December 2007 for any medical or financial help from the state. A very humbling situation, of which I try to stay confident that I will find my way out of soon. The experience will make me a better social worker.
Your front office staff, Ms. Leandra Alanis and Dianne Pozaryki are the reason that I write you today. They treated me from the first visit with respect and support that was empowering. These two women helped me leave your doors not only with hope, but also with gratitude that I was given the referral to your facility. I have now personally been a client at many of the organizations that I have had to refer clients and the Children’s Community Clinic stands out in the customer service and delivery of care. My experiences have varied with different agencies and/or government offices that have left me wondering why some people even work in the social service/non-profit industry. I felt compelled to write to you, because you do have quality employees and to say thank you (CCC) for being part of the community.
I wish CCC and all the staff the best in 2008. Please feel free to forward this letter to any appropriate persons or organizations that would benefit the Children’s Community Clinic or contact me if ever in need of positive testimonial for the clinic.
Sincerely,
Joanna
I contacted Dani Leis a few months ago in when I needed a doctor desperately. I have no health insurance and what little extra money we have goes towards insuring our infant son. She immediately sent me a list on not only all the clinics that saw patients on a free or sliding scale, but ones that specifically could help me with an OB/GYN problem. I contacted several and found that SW Community Health Center could see me the next week. Fifteen minutes after making the appointment, the receptionist called me back and told me they had a same-day opening if I could make it in! The staff, nurses, doctors, and students at the clinic all went out of their way to put me at my ease. They took wonderful care of me, even holding and playing with my 5 month old son while the doctor conducted her exam. I left the clinic not only knowing that my health problem had been addressed, but that I'd been treated in a respectful manner. Thank you so much for this truly essential service, I never would have found the clinic on my own. Jessica L.