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Rising Costs
Survivor Turned Advocate
Mickey Trznadel is a survivor who not only battled cancer but also waged a full-on war with his health insurance company to maintain affordable coverage. After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1982, Trznadel witnessed a markable spike in his insurance rate, with premiums increasing twice per year. Even after becoming cancer-free in 1989, there was no relief in sight as rates kept right on climbing.
Stress levels mounted. As a self-employed landscaper, Trznadel prided himself on fair rates for his customers. So when his medical expenses kept increasing, Mickey's paycheck was wiped clean, with little leftover money to save. As a result, Trznade wasn’t able to expand his business and moved in with his mother to lower his living expenses. By 1993 his insurance premiums were up to roughly $750 a month.
In distress, Mickey tried to bargain an agreement with his company. He told them, "I have managed my illness. I'm cancer-free and in good health. When can I reapply for lower rates?" Trznadel comments, "After promising they (Blue Cross) would let me reapply after three years without further treatment, their answer was, now it will have to be five years, then seven years. I had my doctor write a note that my cancer was in complete remission for five years and the insurance company's answer was that I had to wait ten years to reapply." They suggested he apply for ICHIP, a state health insurance program for those considered "high risk" or "uninsurable," but Mickey comments, "There was a two year waiting list and it was almost as expensive as what I was paying!"
Trznadel started writing letters and speaking on talk radio shows, including WJJD AM radio with special-guest host Walter Jacobson. He even received correspondence from then First Lady Hilary Clinton and Cardinal George! After making enough clamor, Blue Cross/Blue Shield finally became willing to negotiate lower rates. Mickey said, "I told him (Raymond McCaskey, Blue Cross' CEO) that if I stayed with my current policy, by the time I reached my early 60s that I would be paying $1,000 a week! He offered me three different policies with downsized coverage and increased deductibles-- paying less for awhile but also getting less at the same time."
Mickey's concerned that costs keep rising and it's causing a terrible strain on people, like his 83-year-old mother who still works full-time. Trznadel is now a staunch health care advocate who believes Americans need to stand together and make noise for change. His advice remains, "Live your life helping people no matter what happens to you. I had cancer, but I couldn't just say, 'woe is me!'"
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