Cindy Powers needed 19 surgeries over the course of five years for abdominal problems and life-threatening infections. “I knew of at least three times where she died on the operating table and they had to restart her heart,” her husband, ... [Continue Reading]
Watch: Still Paying Off Bills From Twins’ Birth. The Kids Are 10 Now.
Marcus and Allyson Ward carefully planned their finances before having children — but they owed $80,000 after their twins were born prematurely. Years later, after exhausting savings and retirement accounts, they are still paying off that debt. The ... [Continue Reading]
Damaged Credit Delays the Dream of Buying a Home
It makes me sick about medical costs and how this whole thing is done.Amanda Pitzo Joe Pitzo, 42, Brookfield, Wisconsin Approximate medical debt: $350,000 Medical Issue: Cancer What Happened: Joe Pitzo and his wife, ... [Continue Reading]
A Sexual Assault and Years of Calls From Debt Collectors
I was being haunted by this zombie bill.Edy Adams Edy Adams, 31, Austin, Texas Approximate Medical Debt: $131 Medical Issue: Sexual assault What Happened: Edy Adams had just graduated from college when she was sexually ... [Continue Reading]
Double Shifts, Credit Card Debt, and Family Loans When Twins Were Born Early
We had a plan that we were not going to be homeless.Allyson Ward Allyson Ward, 43, Chicago Approximate Medical Debt: $80,000 Medical Issue: Childbirth What Happened: There were times after her sons were born 10 years ago ... [Continue Reading]
Hospital Lawsuits and Garnished Wages on Top of Diabetes
I am taken aback by how callous they have been.Elizabeth Woodruff Nick Woodruff, 37, Binghamton, New York Approximate Medical Debt: $20,000 Medical Issue: Diabetes What Happened: Nick Woodruff’s wages were garnished ... [Continue Reading]
A Surgery Shatters Retirement Plans and Leads to Bankruptcy
They took everything we had.Sherrie Foy Sherrie Foy, 63, Moneta, Virginia Approximate Medical Debt: $850,000 Medical Issue: Colon surgery What Happened: Sherrie and Michael Foy thought they’d made all the right ... [Continue Reading]
Denied Care for a Dangerous Infection Because of Past-Due Bills
I feel as if I’ve failed as a parent.Ariane Buck Ariane Buck, 30, Peoria, Arizona Approximate Medical Debt: $50,000 Medical Issue: Infection What Happened: Ariane Buck knew it was important to stay on top of his ... [Continue Reading]