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Bitter pill: The cost of health care in the U.S.
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Lung Transplant x2
My husband, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis at age 45. Within 2 years he was unable to continue his work as a high school teacher due to rapid health decline. He received a risky lung transplant at IU Med with private insurance through his employer and was covered well. In less than 2 years he had to be re-transplanted due to chronic organ rejection - this time on Medicare disability. His drug costs and annual 'donut hole' have to be charged to our home equity line of credit or credit card each year. At nearly 3 years - we are in debt with no hope to pay it off in our lifetime. He had a good job. I have worked, and am now working as a pastor of a small church working additional hours to teach music lessons to make ends meet. My husband and I have navigated a very similar path with medical issues and expenses. Though I am extremely grateful for all who helped us in various ways, and for my job which I love, I also know my husband and I would be in very different circumstances were it not for a long term medical crisis and continuing expenses. I feel for all those with similar diagnosis and expense. We never truly recover from the financial loss, let alone the loss of health, and hope for our financial future. Our annual expenses ['donut-hole'] are close to $10,000. - our share of the cost. Thank you for posting this story and bringing attention to this American healthcare crisis. Peace.
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