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Are You Covered?



Are You Covered?A Special Series Of Profiles On Americans And Their Health Insurance

A majority of Americans say the health care system is in need of a fix. But how much to change is the main sticking point of the national debate. This series explores nine different situations, from the uninsured to those who have the best insurance that money can buy. This series is produced in collaboration with NPR News.


Federal Worker
 | Uninsured | ‘Gold-Plated’ Insured | Medicare Recipient | Underinsured | Employer-Provided Insurance | Voluntarily Uninsured | Medicaid Recipient | Individual Market | Illegal Immigrants

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Are You Covered?


Federal Worker: Rhonda Dorsey


She feels lucky to have health coverage that helps pay for daughter’s diabetes medicine.

Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Explained

– Audio Slideshow

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Are You Covered?


Uninsured: Fernando Arriola
Had full health coverage for years at his former job, but since starting his own contracting business, there are no affordable coverage options for him and his wife.

How Health Overhaul Would Affect The Uninsured

Video: Fernando Arriola

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Are You Covered?

‘Gold-Plated’ Insurance: The Stabbe Family and The Lovells

For two families, “gold-plated” insurance has made a huge difference in the health care they recieve.

‘Cadillac’ Insurance Plans Explained

– Video: The Stabbe Family 

– Video: Rusty and Deb Lovell 

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Are You Covered?

Medicare Recipient: Audrey Bernfield
She says she prefers Medicare over a private insurer.

Medicare Coverage Explained

– Video: ‘I Hope Medicare Stays Healthy For A Long Time’

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Are You Covered?

Underinsured: The Martin Family

Between the two of them, Martha Martin and her husband Jim work five part-time jobs, but still can’t afford health insurance.

The ‘Underinsurance’ Problem Explained

Audio Slideshow

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Are You Covered?

Employer-Provided: Dave Koenig

He has a job with good benefits, but thinks some aspects of the insurance industry should be changed to protect patients from losing coverage.

Employer-Based Insurance Explained

Video: Employer Provided Private Insurance

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Are You Covered?


Voluntarily Uninsured: Lyn Robinson


She chooses not to buy insurance and says she likes deciding where and when to spend her medical dollars.

People Who Choose Not To Have Health Insurance

Video: Voluntarily Uninsured

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Are You Covered?

Medicaid Recipient: Gracie Scarrow

She didn’t have the money for care after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. With her daughter Lela’s help, Gracie turned to Medicaid.

Medicaid Explained

Audio Slideshow: A Life Under Medicaid

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Are You Covered?


Individual Market: Cindy Richards


Richards is a freelance writer and editor who buys health insurance to cover herself and her family.

Individual Market Explained

Video: Buying Insurance On The Individual Market

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Are You Covered?


Illegal Immigrants


A family doctor from Rio Grande City, Tex., says failure of health reform to address the needs of illegal immigrants could cause collapse of hospitals in the region and open the border to public health risks.

How Health Reform Bills Would – And Wouldn’t – Affect Illegal Immigrants