[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FACES OF THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS

 Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, I rise once again in my continuing 
effort to put a face on the health care crisis in America. Today I want 
to tell the story of Mr. and Mrs. Carthel Strunk of Beaverton, MI.
  Mary and Carthel Strunk are in their early fifties and are the 
parents of three grown daughters. Thirteen years ago they moved from 
the Detroit area to Beaverton, a small mid-Michigan community. Shortly 
after their move, Mary found work at a local grocery store, and Carthel 
ran his own paint and bumper business. They both received comprehensive 
health insurance coverage through Mary's employer.
  Ten years later, in 1991, Mary decided to leave her job to help her 
daughter with newborn twins and to open a quilting business. Through 
COBRA, Mary and Carthel were able to continue their health insurance 
coverage for 18 months at her former employer's group rate of $175/
month, with a $500 deductible.
  In May 1992, Carthel was diagnosed with emphysema, a debilitating, 
life-threatening lung disease. When the couple's ability to use Mary's 
former workplace health plan ended in December 1992, they could not 
find an insurer who would cover Carthel. After researching different 
plans, Mary was able to purchase coverage for herself at a cost of 
$125/month, with a $500 deductible. Prescriptions were covered, with a 
$5 copayment once the deductible was met. Mary, who was blessed with 
good health, continued paying for her coverage until December 1993, 
when her premium rose to $168/month. This cost was 20 percent of their 
income and was just too much for them. Mary was forced to cancel the 
policy. Since then she has been uninsured.
  The Strunk's are not wealthy. Their yearly income averages about 
$10,000. Carthel had to leave his paint and bumper business due to his 
emphysema because he could not breathe in the paint fumes and other 
fumes associated with his work.
  In December 1992, Carthel applied for Social Security disability 
coverage from Medicare. He was denied because he did not meet the 
eligibility requirements needed for a person with emphysema. He has 
appealed, and is currently awaiting the judge's decision. Even if the 
judges grant him eligibility, it could take up to 2 years before he can 
receive any benefits. Despite their low income, Mary and Carthel are 
not eligible for Medicaid because of a life insurance policy valued at 
$2,500. This, along with their personal assets, put them just over the 
required $3,000 limit on allowed assets.
  Carthel and his family are extremely concerned that any assistance 
they manage to get could come too late. Recently, an x ray revealed a 
spot on one of Carthel's lungs. Although the spot is not of great 
concern now, the family fears it could develop into something which 
will need considerable medical attention.

  In the meantime, Carthel's emphysema is at a stage where some days 
just walking up one flight of stairs in his home causes shortness of 
breath. He is on several different medications, including one for high 
blood pressure. Mary estimates that they spend anywhere from $100 to 
$300 per month on medical costs, including prescriptions and tests. 
Although this expense is difficult for them, Carthel continues to see 
the doctor regularly. with his emphysema, he does not want to risk 
missing a doctor's appointment or forgoing testing.
  If Carthel's situation weren't disheartening enough, in March 1994, 3 
months after canceling her policy, Mary had an abnormal Pap smear. In 3 
months she will have another smear. If it is still abnormal, further 
testing will have to be done. As you can imagine, Mary, like Carthel, 
now lives with the fear of more extensive medical treatment with no 
means of paying for it. Their greatest fear is that one, or both of 
them will need to be hospitalized.
  In spite of their situation, the couple is happy living in this quiet 
small town. They believe they could live off their income, if it 
weren't for their medical expenses.
  Carthel and Mary's situation was brought to my attention by their 
daughter Noreen. She describes her parents as good providers, and 
honest, hard workers. She worries about her parents, and the fact that 
they are lacking health care coverage at a time when they need it most. 
For now, in order to access any type of assistance they would have to 
impoverish themselves. This is an option to Strunk's do not want to 
consider.
  Mr. President, Carthel and Mary are Americans who have worked all 
their lives and tried to take responsibility for their health care, but 
are now unable to pay for necessary medical services. Preexisting 
condition clauses and spiraling health costs are devastating families 
across our country. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the 
Senate to make health care reform a reality this year.

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