In the far corner of the store, I spotted it: a stunning Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, its vibrant colors still captivating under the harsh fluorescent lights. Even from a distance, I could tell it was a find—a treasure in the ultra-discount section of a famous New York store. I raced toward it, heart racing as I read the price tag: a mere $39.99, down from $398. It was my size, and I could almost hear the dress calling my name.
Growing up as the child of a librarian and a community leader, I was taught the importance of saving, never paying full price. Juggling multiple jobs while attending graduate school, I barely scraped by, saving just enough for the occasional treat—a gourmet coffee, a meal out, or a trip to a discount store.
Eagerly, I grabbed my find and rushed to the dressing room, excitement building. But when I slipped it on, it fit far too snugly, leaving an uncomfortable gap. I tried to dismiss it, attributing it to my lunch. After all, I was thrilled with my bargain. I took the subway home, receipt in hand, relishing my amazing deal.
Yet as the months passed, the dress fit worse and worse. Little did I know, my expanding waistline wasn’t due to too many carbs; I was harboring a rare malignant tumor. At 25, a vegetarian with regular check-ups and a family history of longevity, I felt invincible. Medical troubles seemed years away.
Suddenly, I was on the phone with my minimal student health insurance, desperately seeking an in-network surgeon. Without prompt treatment, I faced the grim reality of not making it to graduation. Thankfully, I found a surgeon who accepted my insurance and agreed to see me quickly. After reviewing my scans, he delivered a chilling message: “You have over a 50% chance of dying on the operating table.” He referred me to the renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, but the catch? It was outside my insurance network.
With a rare diagnosis like liposarcoma, specialized care is crucial, but options are limited. Most healthcare professionals lack the expertise to treat such rare conditions; only a few hospitals boast the necessary experience. While these facilities often provide exceptional care, the costs can be staggering.
I focused on my treatment rather than the financial burden, enduring a grueling surgery that successfully removed my tumor. A week of top-notch hospital care followed, but soon after returning home, the bills began to flood in. My insurance covered far less than I had hoped, employing a web of limitations and copayments that left me with tens of thousands of dollars in debt—more than my annual salary.
In a panic, I reached out to the social worker I had met at Sloan-Kettering. To my relief, the hospital had a special fund to assist patients like me. I trudged to the financial aid office, paperwork in tow, despite the pain from my healing incision. The application process was daunting, requiring years of financial documentation.
Months later, I finally received approval, and the hospital graciously wrote off most of my uncovered bills, allowing manageable payments for the rest. Without their charity, I would have faced bankruptcy.
I completed my master’s degree, worked through the summer to pay off my medical copayments, and began medical school that fall.
Unfortunately, my narrative is not unique. As a pediatrician in the emergency department, I witness people’s lives upended by sudden illness or accidents daily. One moment, they’re living ordinary lives; the next, they’re confronted with life-threatening crises.
We all need medical care—at birth, throughout life, and often at unexpected moments. While we can make healthy lifestyle choices, we cannot control when or how illness strikes. Moreover, we have limited authority over the financial implications of our treatments. Medical expenses are not like shopping choices; there’s rarely an option to compare prices or negotiate costs.
The expenses for essential medical treatments, like surgery for an ectopic pregnancy or chemotherapy for cancer, can exceed what most people could ever afford. In many cases, the only alternative to high costs is forgoing care, risking serious health consequences or even death.
When access to affordable care is restricted—due to high premiums, limited coverage, or exclusions for pre-existing conditions—everyone suffers. Families may lose their homes, businesses may lose valued employees, and the next generation of innovators may not survive childhood.
Since healthcare is a necessity for all, it’s crucial that we support a system that ensures affordable, accessible care for everyone. My journey through multiple cancer recurrences has been made manageable thanks to the Affordable Care Act and support from Medicaid, which have allowed me to access the care necessary to stay alive. Today, I can contribute to society through taxes, donate to cancer research, and practice medicine, treating children regardless of their financial background.
I held onto that bargain dress for years, but recently, after enduring a C-section and three surgeries, I sold it online. It made space in my closet for more flattering outfits and provided funds for a few medical copayments.
In the end, we must advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes life over profits. For those interested in starting their own families, consider checking out resources on home insemination kits, like the one available at Make a Mom. There are also excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination at IVF Babble and specialized seminars at Intracervical Insemination.
In summary, our health is not a bargaining chip, and access to affordable healthcare is a right we must all strive to protect.