It was tucked away in a dim corner, its deep blues and lush greens still radiant under the harsh fluorescent lights. Even from a distance, I recognized it as a gem—a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, marked down to an astonishing price in the clearance section of a famous discount store.
I rushed towards it, my eyes gleaming at the red price tag: $39.99, slashed from the original $398. It was my size. My heart raced. Raised by a family of Depression-era farmers and a librarian and minister whose wealth was measured in love, I’d been taught to save every penny and never pay full price.
While juggling multiple jobs alongside my rigorous graduate studies, I managed to scrape together $1,200 a month for my necessities. I funded my tuition through savings accumulated from my years as a public school teacher. I allowed myself a small budget for treats—a gourmet coffee, dining out, or a trip to a discount shopping paradise.
I grabbed the dress and hurried to the packed dressing room, expecting it to fit perfectly. But as I slipped it on, it clung uncomfortably to my midsection, leaving an awkward gap at the hem. I dismissed it, attributing the snugness to a gassy lunch. Nothing could rain on my parade; I rode the subway home elated, clutching the receipt that marked my incredible find.
Yet, as time passed, the dress fit less and less. I wouldn’t realize until later that my expanding waistline wasn’t due to my diet; I had a rare malignant tumor growing inside me.
At just 25, a vegetarian who had always passed annual check-ups with flying colors and whose grandparents lived well into their 90s, I never imagined health issues would confront me so soon. Suddenly, I was frantically calling my bare-bones student health insurance provider to find an in-network surgeon. Without urgent treatment, I wouldn’t make it to graduation.
I found a surgeon who accepted my plan and was fortunate to get an appointment swiftly. After reviewing my scan and examining my abdomen, he delivered grim news: “You have a greater than 50% chance of dying during the surgery,” he cautioned. “You need a more experienced surgeon for this tumor.” He referred me to the renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Fortunately, I lived just a subway ride away from one of the best cancer hospitals in the world. However, it was outside my limited insurance network. With a rare diagnosis like liposarcoma, options for care were few, and only specialized hospitals had the expertise to treat such uncommon diseases. Their top-notch care came with a hefty price tag.
Thanks to their strong research initiatives and the ability to negotiate with insurance providers, these institutions could accept patients like me, who, despite having insurance, were facing overwhelming medical costs.
As I focused on my treatment, a lengthy surgery successfully removed the tumor with minimal complications. A week later, I returned home to recover, only to be hit with a barrage of medical bills while still on a diet of pureed foods. My insurance covered far less than I expected, using convoluted limitations and technicalities to dodge responsibility for my life-saving care.
I was left with tens of thousands of dollars in debt—an amount exceeding my annual salary. In a panic, I reached out to the social worker I had met at Sloan-Kettering, who assured me that the hospital had a special fund to assist patients like me.
With renewed hope, I trudged to the financial aid office, ignoring the pangs from my abdominal surgery as I carried a heavy load of paperwork. The application required five years of bank statements, income proof, and tax returns. After navigating through mountains of paperwork, I was approved. The hospital graciously wrote off most of my uncovered bills and set up manageable payment terms for the rest. I narrowly escaped bankruptcy, thanks to their charity.
I completed my master’s degree, worked that summer to cover my copayments for ongoing scans and check-ups, and started medical school that fall.
My experience isn’t isolated. As a pediatrician in the emergency department, I witness patients faced with sudden health crises every day. One moment, they are perfectly healthy; the next, they are in dire need of medical attention due to accidents, seizures, or other emergencies.
We all require healthcare at various points in our lives—when we are born, when we die, and during unpredictable moments in between. We may strive to maintain our health through diet and exercise, but beyond those efforts, we have little control over when illness strikes or how much treatment will cost.
Medical expenses are not comparable to other consumer purchases. We can choose where to shop for groceries or clothes, but in healthcare, the choices are often limited. We cannot predict whether a simple broken arm will require a cast or invasive surgery. We cannot know if our newborn will be healthy or face immediate medical challenges.
The cost of necessary medical procedures often surpasses what most individuals can afford. The only available option may be to forego treatment entirely, risking long-term health problems or financial ruin.
Lack of access to affordable healthcare not only harms patients but also destabilizes families, businesses, and communities. When people cannot access necessary care due to exorbitant premiums, high deductibles, or inadequate insurance plans, the consequences ripple outwards, affecting everyone.
Since we will all need healthcare, often in unpredictable amounts, it makes sense for all of us to contribute to a system that ensures affordable access for everyone.
My journey has left me with physical scars, but thanks to the protections offered by the Affordable Care Act, brief assistance from Medicaid, and consistent employer-sponsored insurance, I can afford the care necessary to remain healthy. I am still here, able to contribute to society, support cancer research initiatives, and practice medicine in a way that allows me to help children regardless of their families’ financial situations.
I held on to that bargain dress for years, but after three surgeries and a C-section, I finally sold it online, clearing space in my closet for more suitable attire and earning enough for a few copayments.
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Summary
This article highlights the unexpected health challenges faced by individuals, emphasizing that healthcare is not a negotiable commodity. It illustrates the financial strain of medical treatments and advocates for affordable healthcare access for all. The author shares a personal journey through a serious health crisis, revealing the importance of community support and insurance protections.
Keyphrase
Affordable healthcare access
Tags
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