Hi, my name is Rhonda Smith. I work for the Medi Dyn corporation as a Housekeeper at St. Mary's Hospital, where I have worked for the past six years.

I have four children, but can only afford to cover myself under my employer's plan. Right now I pay $56 to cover myself, but it would cost significantly more to cover my entire family. Sadly, I cannot afford the high amount.

Even now I have to skip buying medications for my high blood pressure, or only buy half a prescription for my son's asthma because I cannot afford to buy what we need. My 2 year-old son Devon has chronic asthma and severe eczema. Sometimes Medicaid refuses to pay for the asthma medicine. Sometimes I get lucky and my doctor gives me free samples to use for my son's health problems. Most of the time we just do without.

I have a 14-year-old daughter, Raven, who used to play soccer, but she was suffering from too many allergy attacks so she had to stop playing. I worry constantly when they are outside playing that they do not get hurt.

Both my 11 year-old, Iyanna, and my 7 year-old, Destiny, recently were found to have cavities, but I cannot afford to get them taken care of. Worse, Destiny also suffers from a tooth abscess but we can't afford to go to a dentist so I can't do anything about it. They also need braces, but I can't even begin to think there is a possibility we could afford that expense.

I can't tell you how terrible I feel because I can't afford to pay for the insurance to cover these healthcare needs. Mothers who work full-time for a hospital shouldn't have to worry that their children cannot get medical care. Many of my coworkers are in similar situations, and it's really time that we stand up together to say that this just has to change.

When we have a healthcare system that is so advanced, and I can't get them the medications or treatments that they need because of unaffordable insurance premiums and co-pays, something is terribly wrong. We need to do something about it.

Won't you join me?

Thank you!

- Rhonda