Paula* struggles to insure her health in the face of exorbitant out-of-pocket costs and discriminatory policies toward those with preexisting conditions.
Paula wakes up every day with a very expensive, chronic medical condition. While not curable, treatment does exist- with an annual price tag of $50,000.  If Paula did not take the medications, she would [...]

Kathleen tells the story of her younger brother’s struggle to get the treatment he needed.
My name is Kathleen Loepker. I would like to introduce you to my brother, Dale Robert Loepker.  Our health care system allowed Dale to die on September 28th, 2004.  As a home care worker, he did not have insurance, and it [...]

Melody, a Chicago resident, deals with the painful repercussions of second class health care.
While on Medicaid, Melody developed flesh-eating bacteria that caused severe damage around her tailbone, eating away at her pelvic structure and lower back.  Medicaid did not cover the reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation services her illness required.  Instead, she was given inadequate treatment, [...]

High prices and exclusionary practices prevent a young artist from obtaining health care coverage.
Independent artists often have trouble purchasing health insurance on the individual market.  Exclusionary clauses, costly premiums and high deductibles make it difficult for these artists to have peace of mind. As an independent artist, Alicia sought to obtain health insurance on her [...]

A young woman tells the story of her uninsured family and their struggle to get adequate care for their mother.

About ten years ago, my dad was laid off from his job at Phillips Medical Systems.  He decided to go into business for himself and has been self-employed ever since.  This meant our entire family was [...]