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[csziggy]

105. I lived without insurance for decades

Paid for my doctor's visits, injuries, visits to emergency rooms - all out of pocket. Even paid to have my left shoulder completely rebuilt out of pocket (1993 - ~$14,000).

Then my husband got a job with really good health insurance that kicked in his first day at work. Three weeks later I tore and folded the medial meniscus in my left knee. Since I've had a hysterectomy, another torn and folded meniscus in the right knee, right shoulder surgery, and last year total joint replacement on both knees and carpal tunnel surgery. My out of pocket (deductible and co-pays) just for last year was as much as the left shoulder operation twenty years ago - but if I had to pay the complete cost for the new knees, it would have been over $100,000.

I've still got several years to qualify for Medicare so my best hope to let my husband retire early is the Obama health care exchanges.