So poor we were able to qualify for a children's medicaid program for low income working people (stay at home mom).

Without that aid, I'd have faced a lifetime of medical debt, no doubt leading to personal bankruptcy.

She is now a mother of 3, a practicing part time family nurse practitioner married to a doctor practicing family medicine in a very rural setting in North Dakota where the little hospital has only one fulltime doctor. I happen to be vain enough to think the investment taxpayers had to make had a decent return.

I remember my first talk with the pediatrist oncologist after the shocking diagnosis who began breaking down the protocol treatment. I told her (UVA children's hospital) that this was fine and good, but "I have to tell you I have no way to pay for all that."

She said, "Our social/financial team will support you in this---not to worry, "No one can afford this."

I don't even have the words to express the relief I felt from that conversation.