Maternal and Child Health
Tamara's 18 month old grandson fell ill with a slight cough and signs mirroring COVID-19, but was not tested by his pediatrician. After his oxygen levels dropped, he was taken to the ER but was still not tested for COVID-19 due to not meeting testing criteria.
Surprise Medical Bills
Sue and John own a small business, but with Sue's rhumetoid arthritis they struggled to pay for high health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. When receiving care they were not informed of pricing, and expected to blindly pay thousands of dollars for treatment. John and Sue had to sacrifice milestone celebrations, like their 20th anniversary trip to pay for their outrageous medical bills.
Private Insurance Coverage
Elizabeth has been living with Hodgkin's lymphoma since 2012. She was on Marketplace insurance, but the out-of-pocket and monthly costs were rapidly increasing. Elizabeth switched to her husband's employer-sponsored insurance and was able to not miss many treatment days. One of Elizabeth's major concerns is the rising cost of care for pre-existing and lifelong conditions.
Private Insurance Coverage
Avia began feeling symptoms similar to COVID-19. After visiting her doctor for testing, it came back positive. No treatment existed at the time of infection, and was told to stay hydrated and take Tylenol. Luckily, her insurance was able to cover all of her expenses.
Private Insurance Coverage
Anna, immunocompromised, faced anxiety amid rising COVID-19 cases. Despite experiencing symptoms, she was initially discouraged from quarantine due to timing. While her test returned negative, symptoms persisted. Her insurance initially refused coverage for the test, relenting only after she advocated for herself on social media and had her story picked up by media outlets.
Private Insurance Coverage
Peter has multiple conditions that require ongoing care and medication. He previously faced exorbitant medical bills prior to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Thanks to Medicare coverage facilitated by the ACA, Peter now has access to life-saving medications and procedures. He has become a staunch supporter and advocate of the ACA.
Oral Health
The last time Martha upgraded her dentures was nearly two decades ago. Her insurance through Medicare does not cover oral health, and other bills take precedence. Martha's son has a developmental disability and requires a higher level of care than she can afford. Martha is one of many individuals pushing for better oral health coverage.
Oral Health
Cheryl lost her health insurance after her employer outsourced, leading to a decline in her oral health due to the high out-of-pocket costs for care. While she is covered by Medicare, she struggles to afford necessary dental procedures. Cheryl's dietary choices are heavily influenced by her oral hygiene needs, as she finds some foods difficult to consume.
Private Insurance Coverage
Evens went years without health insurance, and was finally able to gain insurance through the ACA Marketplace. His cost-sharing plan allows him to pay half of what he used to. He feels relieved to know now that if something should happen, he's covered.
Medicaid
Katie's medical conditions greatly impact her livelihood, causing her to work limited hours. Fortunately, Katie qualified for SSDI and Medicaid to manage her diagnoses. Katie worries changes to Medicaid work requirements could interfere with her access to insurance coverage and treatment.