Yesterday my mother called and said, “I have bad news, and it is not something you would expect.” At first I was a little relieved (my grandmother has been ailing). But I braced myself… oh no, what could it be…??
“Your cousin Paul died this morning. He had a high fever for several days. He went to the doctor and they told him it was just the flu. This morning, while in the bathtub to cool his fever, he just stopped breathing.”
Me: He stopped breathing?! How is that possible? What kind of flu simply stops your breathing? (choking back sobs…)
My mother: Well, now they think it was some kind of aggressive pneumonia. He didn’t want to go to the hospital because he was worried about the cost. I’m pretty certain he didn’t have medical insurance. Even those new exchanges are just so expensive.
I say it over and over again on this blog – the American medical insurance system is AWFUL. Not everyone qualifies for government assistance, and our prices are JUST TOO HIGH. No one should be paying the cost of medical insurance with THEIR LIVES.
R.I.P. Cousin Paul. You were beautiful soul, and your joy for life touched us all. I won’t forget what happened to you, and I promise to fight so that others are not ripped from this earth at such a young age, just because insurance and medical care are too expensive.
Has the death of someone you love been hastened by the lack of medical care, or because health care is too expensive? Please share your story. kathleen@defeverlaw.com[polldaddy poll=7751127]
