Forty-three-year-old Michael walked into the George Washington University Hospital Emergency Room complaining of chest pain. The Washington D.C. handyman had no health insurance but was not eligible for any financial assistance programs.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel, 43, has been a special-needs individual since birth; his complete lack of hearing in his left ear resulted in a minor speech impediment. He was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 2004 and hypertension disorder. Despite these set backs, he was able to live alone, care for himself and hold down a part-time custodial job for the Prince George’s County, MD public schools. But as a part-time employee, he was not able to receive health care benefits nor could he afford all of his prescription medications without financial assistance. When Nathaniel experienced a syncopal episode resulting in unconsciousness, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Upon arriving at George Washington University Medical Center Dr. Marco Mercader perform an electro-physiology study and a Medtronic pacemaker was implanted.
