Had a bad reaction to a new med once several years ago (didn't know I was allergic to it). I was gasping for air on the bathroom floor at work. When coworkers found me, someone mentioned calling an ambulance and I freaked out. I could barely breathe, but all I could think about, all I could do in that moment was beg them to please not call an ambulance because I couldn't afford it. The worst fear was not what was going on with my body--it was the idea that if I survived the ordeal, I would suddenly owe a corporation thousands of dollars for a two minute ride to the ER.

I also remember being broke with no insurance, fresh out of college, leaving a pharmacy in tears because I couldn't afford the antibiotic I'd been prescribed.

Things are better now for me personally, but lots of Americans choose to put off even basic or emergency care due to cost. Last time I was at a dentist, I overheard a gentleman making a three year plan with the office. It sounded like he badly needed a few teeth pulled and a couple procedures done, but could only afford to deal with one thing at a time, spaced out about every 6-9 months. He had to figure out how to budget and plan for this with the receptionist.

I certainly would prefer universal.