Q U I C K S C A N

Christian Response
Emotions Are Fragile
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"How sick should I let myself get before I go to the doctor? I lost my health insurance coverage."

Mary, 53, has a complicated heart history. For the last three years, this college graduate and mother of two grown sons has endured several stress tests and catheterizations, had five stents and a pacemaker implanted, and lived through a botched coronary artery dissection. Her body rejected the stents, and she spent over $250,000 on more coronary tests as doctors tried to diagnose her heart problems.

For 17 years, Mary was a nationally licensed loan originator and branch manager for a mortgage corporation, earning almost $100,000 a year. She was completely on commission and relied on her executive husband’s "Cadillac" medical benefits.

Things changed when Mary’s husband left her and they divorced. She lost her job in this struggling economy and, after COBRA ran out, was left with little health insurance.

For many people, the struggle with rising health-care costs has already reached a critical point. More than two in five American adults under age 65 had trouble paying their medical bills last year, according to Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based health policy research group. Of those people, 39 percent had used up all their savings, 30 percent had racked up huge credit-card debt and 29 percent said medical bills left them struggling to pay for basic necessities such as food and heat.

Christian Response

"Without faith, I would have given up," Mary says. "I believe God has a reason for me to be here today." She repeatedly prays for courage and is inspired by the words of Ephesians 6:10-11: "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm...."

Mary felt this meant she had to take control of her health and be proactive. She intensely researched other health insurance policies, but it was challenging due to her preexisting condition. She found some "coupon policies," which gave coupons for "money off" procedures. She looked at her state’s mandated coverage, which was expensive and only allowed four doctor visits per year.

She was finally approved for permanent disability, but since she did not have a "terminal condition," her state did not place her on Medicaid.

Emotions Are Fragile

"I feel like I am walking on eggs right now; I could be bankrupt in two days. My pacemaker cost me $50,000!" Mary continues. "I dread the high cost of my prescription drugs."

Losing control of her health-care independence is humbling. Mary hopes to find a part-time job. She knows she might have to rely on family, her church or social agencies to carry her through some tough times.

So until Mary gets placed on Medicaid, she clings to hope and embraces good health practices and wellness and prevention techniques.

The truth is that we are all a hairbreadth away from tragedies—serious illness, death of a loved one, financial ruin, estrangement from our spouse, children, parents or friends. We are not in control—of anything. The answer is to recognize this and to realize that God is our refuge, our strength, our rock. Jesus is right here in our midst. Never alone, we can walk with him.

Sister Karen Zielinski, O.S.F., was director of communications for the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, from 1991 to 2008. She is now director of Canticle Studio, for products which focus on spirituality and health. She can be contacted at whollyhealthy@ AmericanCatholic.org.