taoCMS™ Demo Site: Real People, Real Stories
Real People, Real Stories
Each of the real life stories on this page are from North Dakotans who know first hand how the holes in our health care system can hurt even the best prepared. For more and more Americans, health insurance and a good job may not protect you from financial ruin or from having no way to pay for necessary care. Each experience shows how your health can be (and is) sacrificed for insurance company bottom lines. Sadly, these experiences are only a handful of those that show the need for health care reform in our country now.
Leif Snyder
Insurance just didn't want to insure him. So, eventually, after he had to watch his eye-sight desert him, Medicaid will pay more than was necessary to give Leif humane treatment and a little too late health care.read on...
Helen Dobler
Bismarck, ND -- Helen was forced to become her husband's primary caregiver after complications from Type II Diabetes required the amputation of both his legs. Eventually, the physical and emotional strain caused health problems for Helen, who, at 65 years old, was forced to return to work. read on...
Barb Price
Driscoll, ND -- Medical emergencies while uninsured racked up a total bill of approx. $30,000. Eight years later, Barb is still suffering financially. read on...
Wayne Wolfgram
Wahpeton, ND -- After having surgery for a double hernia, Wayne's incision became infected. Knowing he couldn't afford an ambulance, despite having health insurance, he spent three days curled up on his bathroom floor until he was well enough to drive himself.read on...
Corey Wahlund
Fargo, ND -- Corey has suffered from fainting spells, loss of feeling in his limbs, and chest pain for several years. He decided to give up his health insurance when he went back to school, but his symptoms continued and, eventually, got worse.read on...
Ellen Linderman
Carrington, ND -- Ellen Linderman was denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. Because her treatment by the insurance company is so representative of other Americans, she was asked to attend President Barack Obama's address to Congress on health care reform on September 9, 2009. read on...
Lacey Strand
Dickinson, ND -- Lacey Strand has been fighting cancer since 2003. She is uninsured and is thankful her mom was there to search for financial help to cover the costs of numerous surgeries and hospital stays. She says she can't imagine what it would be like to go through this alone. read on...
Tonja Turrito
Bismarck, ND -- Tonja spent 7 years caring for her husband who, despite being a full-time employee and having full-coverage insurance, was denied coverage when he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. The insurance company said it wouldn't pay because Alzheimers is an incurable disease. The financially careful and secure can still be financially destroyed in our current health care system.read on...
Jim Heck
Bismarck, ND -- Although highly educated, Jim Heck has been laid off and is now living on unemployment. Of his $14,000 annual income, $3,500 is spent on medical insurance.read on...
Debra Pascua
Bismarck, ND -- Having health insurance and working more than 40 hours a week at two jobs wasn't nearly enough to cover the exorbitant cost of Debra's necessary prescriptions. She is one of many who, under the current health care system, are forced to file bankruptcy. read on...
NDPeople.Org
410 E. Thayer Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
701.224.8090
info@ndpeople.org
