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**pavlik** · 06-21-2011, 11:09 AM

My brother had throat cancer 18 months ago. Luckily, the cancer was localized, removed with surgery and the follow-up chemo and radiation treatments seem to have worked. He had health insurance through his job, but he was out of work for nearly six months and the disability insurance did not cover his bills. He had to borrow money from his retirement account, an account already devastated by the 2008 crash. He'll turn 61 next month.

When his wife divorced him ten years ago, he lost all equity in his small home. They refinanced, but now his loan in upsidedown as home values in Florida have fallen dramatically. His salary has been flat for three years and his company -- he's worked for them 27 years -- quit matching his 401k in 2009. He earns less than $35,000.

Last week he slipped in some water in his home and injured his back. He refused to go to the doctor because he hasn't met his $500 deductible and told me he could not afford it. I took him to a walk-in clinic and paid the $85.

Near tears, he told me, "I've worked all my life. This is America. If you work hard all your life, this isn't supposed to happen. This is America."

06-21-2011, 11:09 AM	#2
pavlik Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 423 Senior Member	My brother had throat cancer 18 months ago. Luckily, the cancer was localized, removed with surgery and the follow-up chemo and radiation treatments seem to have worked. He had health insurance through his job, but he was out of work for nearly six months and the disability insurance did not cover his bills. He had to borrow money from his retirement account, an account already devastated by the 2008 crash. He'll turn 61 next month. When his wife divorced him ten years ago, he lost all equity in his small home. They refinanced, but now his loan in upsidedown as home values in Florida have fallen dramatically. His salary has been flat for three years and his company -- he's worked for them 27 years -- quit matching his 401k in 2009. He earns less than $35,000. Last week he slipped in some water in his home and injured his back. He refused to go to the doctor because he hasn't met his $500 deductible and told me he could not afford it. I took him to a walk-in clinic and paid the $85. Near tears, he told me, "I've worked all my life. This is America. If you work hard all your life, this isn't supposed to happen. This is America."
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