Patti TeeuwenTwo years ago I was working as a waitress as I had done for most of my adult life. I was 22 and one of the furthest things from my mind was my lack of heath insurance. Unfortunately, it was not far from my mind for long.

On the 9^th of January I went to bed, the next morning I woke up unable to move my legs. I arrived at the hospital and had to make the scariest statement of my life, “I can’t feel my legs.” I was only 22 and I had no health insurance, an impending debt, and was out of a job.

That morning I was hospitalized and was placed in the Intensive Care Unit. I went through test after test. Cat scans and MRI’s constantly. Instead of being able to concentrate on what was wrong with me I was worried about how much all the tests were going to cost me. I was supposed to be moved to rehab when I developed a blood clot in my hand. My stay was extended for two more weeks. In my mind that was just thousands of more dollars of debt. I was diagnosed with neuropathy and told there is nothing that can be done to cure it except time.

Leaving the hospital was one of the scariest parts because I knew as soon as I felt the hospital walls I was fair game for creditors and collectors.  I spent 4-6 hours a day on the phone with different doctors and the hospital trying to figure out how to get more charity or discounts.  No matter how much time my parents and I spent on the phone my debt never seemed to come close to manageable.

After an intensive rehabilitation program my body was chemically addicted to pain killers.  Once again I was hospitalized, and $30,000 was added to my ever increasing debt.  I was physically wrecked and had to face $300,000 worth of debt. All of this by the time I was 23.

Fortunately, the hospital charities were able to help with some of my debt, but I was still left with a staggering amount.

I still have the pain of neuropathy and I am still without health insurance.  The repercussions have been more than just physical.  I don’t answer the phone knowing that creditors are always on the other end.  In the upcoming months I am filing for bankruptcy.  I can only imagine what others, younger and worse off, have to go through. Now all I can do is take better care of myself and hope there are no more hospital visits in my future.  That is why I believe that health insurance should be more affordable and accessible for all.