A family describes the trials of battling their son’s cystic fibrosis – the costs, emotional stress and life changing events.
The Swanson-Mandigo family’s youngest son Josh, age 20, lives with cystic fibrosis, a chronic disease affecting the lungs.  Several times a year he received IV antibiotics to treat his illness.  These periodic injections, coupled with [...]

For Garry Apelian, family business owner of Apelian Rug, health care reform represents progress and hope. “You can’t rationalize not doing it anymore, even economically” says Garry.  Apelian Rug offers insurance to its seven employees, but their premiums increase by 20-30% each year.  Absorbing these cost increases is hard for both [...]

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 [...]

Small businesses are challenged with skyrocketing health care costs.  In order to balance double-digit increases in premium rates, they are forced to switch to plans with higher deductibles and co-pays.
The Cradle is a non-profit, adoption agency located in Evanston, Illinois.  Recognizing the importance of health benefits, The Cradle offers health insurance to approximately 60 [...]