Recently I conducted a "What Worries You?" Booth that allowed people to share stories, perspectives and worries about current healthcare costs. I set up at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Teresa Farmers Market, on November 30th, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Although the temperature was in the 40s and there was a light drizzle, many people of the community showed up. From 9 am to 1 pm, I reached out to the customers of the farmers market, as well as the vendors. Handing out informational pamphlets and showing off my posters, I attempted to bring awareness and attention to myself and my purpose of being there.
At the booth, I discussed many poignant experiences and struggles relating to the high costs of medication and health services. Being in my own bubble, I never truly had a view of the real and raw troubles that my fellow neighbors and community were (currently) facing. In fact, some of the meaningful conversations I shared brought me to tears. Especially after the holiday Thanksgiving, where we recollect everything we are grateful for, my "What Worries You?" Booth really uncovered the detrimental effects medication prices and treatments have on people.
Majority of the worries were about the high costs and long term accumulation of medical bills and debt. There was a consistent pattern of people describing how they still are paying off their medications and bills from years ago. These are the issues we need to adknowledge. Many senior citizens were worried for their wellbeing as well as their friends' as most of them were retired with not enough money to pay for prescription drugs and hospital visits. Even with insurance there are multiple people who still had trouble with the copayments.
After collecting over 50 responses, you may wonder how these would help with the cause. I've decided to share some of the responses with you to highlight the actual problems these costs have on the lives of average people in the community. These cards allow people to be heard. It is unlikely the big corporations and corrupted business directors are even thinking about how their actions affect the lives of our regular citizens. We can collectively share the struggles and work together to alleviate these daunting burdens and worries. By hearing out these worries, we can ensure that they aren't alone. Use these cards as motivation to fight for a better future. Write or email Big Pharma Companies as well as Congress and legislators to bring light to these issues Americans are facing today!
Share this article with family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, teachers, classmates, anyone! It is important to unite together and have more people supporting one other!
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