U.S. citizens are conflicted over the national health care act. Recent polls indicate that about half of the country supports the national health care program, while the other half opposes it. Both factions seem to be adamant about their position.

I will tell you my own personal story about how it has affected me. Until last summer, I had been covered under various health insurance plans for more than 40 years. The total premiums for those years were about $200,000 (in today’s dollars). For about 35 of those years, I was seldom sick and typically visited the doctor only once or twice a year for minor ailments. My average medical costs ran less than $200 per year.

When my insurance coverage expired in 2011, I applied for new coverage with the same company, initials BS, which had insured me for many of those 40 years. They sent me a letter stating that they denied any coverage. I received similar denials from other companies.

This past month, after being denied coverage, I received approval for “Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan,” which is run by the state of California and implements a part of the health care law. Premiums cost around $500 per month. Without the health care legislation, I would have no medical coverage.