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Britney Lynn found a medication that worked to manage her diabetes — until her insurance stopped paying for it. Trying to manage her condition without access to the drugs she needs caused her to lose her job and can cost hundreds of dollars a month out-of-pocket, leading Britney to forgo care or use less effective medications with worse side-effects.
Dee Burrell was 50 years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and spent three years in treatment — and while her health insurance helped, she quickly learned that even covered patients can fall through the cracks of America's broken health care system.
Michele Gonzalez is a 45-year-old from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, managing COPD, a lung nodule, and a mental health diagnosis. When she transitioned from Medicaid to employer-sponsored insurance, she found herself unable to afford the medications, therapy, and psychiatric care she had relied on — forcing her to stop treatment entirely.
As an engineer, Steve Ramirez understands complex systems. But finding comprehensive health insurance coverage when costs skyrocket has become increasingly difficult. With ACA tax credits now expiring, Steve faces a 642% increase in cost.
Julia Giguere's life-altering symptoms sent her on a difficult journey through the health care system for answers. She kept fighting for two years until she finally got access to the care she needed.
When his daughter Gloria was born with complex medical needs, Leslie Rogers uprooted his life to fight for her survival. The family endured impossible choices, liquidating their savings and facing sleepless nights to keep her alive. Medicaid finally gave them stability, but with cuts looming and critical programs already shrinking, Leslie worries families like his could once again be pushed to the brink.
Adrienne, a Pennsylvania resident and mother of two, never expected a simple diagnostic procedure to lead to over a year of financial and emotional distress. In February 2024, she underwent a thyroid biopsy at a hospital she knew well, the hospital where she gave birth to both of her children and one she visits frequently for appointments. Everything about the process felt routine—until the bill arrived.
Lacey Lyons, born two and a half months prematurely in Whites Creek, Tennessee, has been navigating the complexities of the health care system her entire life. The challenges began with her diagnoses of mild cerebral palsy and epilepsy resulting from her early birth. Thankfully, she’s always had access to world-class care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), but adulthood brought new battles—ones that tested her resilience and her belief in a just system.
Stephanie needed iron infusions following a kidney transplant, but care was delayed due to issues with prior authorization through her insurance provider. Thanks to the repeated efforts of Stephanie's mother Lauren, her caretaker and advocate, Stephanie got the care she needed within 72 hours. A health advocate in her own right, Lauren wonders "how are other patients dealing with this?"