My name is Dasha Kotelenets and I am a junior at Pratt Institute. About a year ago, I had started experiencing episodes where I get very lightheaded, experience chest pain, and sometimes even faint. After these episodes started happening more than once, I got a checkup at Pratt where I shared my healthcare insurance information. However, Pratt did not share my insurance with the labs they sent my test too and I was randomly sent a $1,000 bill months after my checkup. Having this medical bill over my head was extremely stressful and it took about a year to resolve. 

Even Though this medical bill was resolved, I still have not gotten a concrete answer on what is going on. I keep getting referred to doctor after doctor to find out what is going on with no diagnosis or solution. Every time I go see a new doctor, I have to pay a copay and get stuck with medical bills from all the testing that they have been doing. Currently, I have $300 in medical bills that I have not been able to pay. Without a job, and being a full time student, it has been extremely stressful to have this financial burden over my head. I’ve been extremely anxious over how this can continue to affect me as time passes without me being able to pay  it off and the continuous bills I will get in the future.  

I’m currently being screwed over by healthcare and insurance every corner I turn. While I happen to be more fortunate than others by having a family that is more financially stable, my father just got laid off from his job which has put a tight financial burden on us. This makes it hard to pay mounting bills whilst trying to budget.. While my situation is more fortunate, many people are struggling more and in a lot cases can’t afford to receive any care due to lack of insurance or income. On top of that, I am missing classes for doctors appointments making it more difficult for me to complete assignments. Having a centralized healthcare system and not constantly worrying about copays, deductibles, premiums, will make it easier for everyone to receive the care that they need.