Maxed Out: Insured, But Not Covered

Faced with major health crises, even families with medical insurance can't afford the care they desperately need. Here are the tragic consequences. (St. Petersburg Times)

The debate about health care has focused on the uninsured, but many Americans struggle even though they have coverage. These videos by the St. Petersburg Times profile three families, all of whom have insurance but find their coverage runs out or becomes prohibitively expensive when they need it most.

Friends of the Pierce family are holding bake sales and yard sales to help raise money to cover medical bills for 6-year-old Morgan Pierce who has a rare form of cancer. Monique Zimmerman, who has a genetic disease, stops going to the doctor and risks blindness so her daughters can get care. John and Helga Kenny maxed out on their insurance benefits after John had a devastating stroke. Now the retired couple’s finances are in shambles.

This in-depth project is a timely addition to the national healthcare debate. It includes three videos, accompanying stories and links to other healthcare resources.

Morgan Pierce: 2:34

Monique Zimmerman: 3:04

Helga Kenny: 2:23

CHANNEL: St. Petersburg Times (TampaBay.com)

Video by John Pendygraft
Story by Lane DeGregory

VIEW: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/maxed-out/