Kaiser Health Care Stories

Mary

I am a happy, well cared for survivor of three bouts with three separate cancers. The first was 11 years ago, the second 3 years ago, and the latest and hopefully last 1 year ago. I didn’t take the best care of myself prior to my first diagnosis and have a family history of cancer. However, I am fortunate to have health insurance through my employer and to have the option of the best managed care plan I know, Kaiser Permanente. The emphasis at Kaiser is on education and prevention, including periodic physicals and their associated lab work and screenings. All of my cancers were caught in the earliest stages possible and treated immediately. For the most part I was encouraged to learn all that I could about my condition and to be an active participant in my recovery and future health. Follow-up care is excellent. The latest pronouncement from my oncologist was, “You are cancer free. Keep walking and enjoy life.” I strongly support Health Care Reform that eliminates fraud and emphasizes education and prevention. Yes WE can. We should not expect government to do everything for us. We need to take charge of our own welfare but have the support and resources we need. I believe this is what this administration is all about and that is why I am so hopeful that true change can take place in my lifetime.