The Health-Care Crisis Hits Home - TIME

It doesn't have to be this way....

"The diagnosis was only the first shock. The second came a few weeks later, in an Aug. 5 letter from Pat's health-insurance company. For six years — since losing the last job he had that provided medical coverage — Pat had been faithfully paying premiums to Assurant Health, buying a series of six-month medical policies, one after the other, always hoping he would soon find a job that would include health coverage. Until that happened, 'unexpected illnesses and accidents happen every day, and the resulting medical bills can be disastrous,' Assurant's website warned. 'Safeguard your financial future with Short Term Medical temporary insurance. It provides the peace of mind and health care access you need at a price you can afford.'"