I've Worked Hard All My Life, but I'm Still Drowning in Medical Debt

At 59 years old, A.J. describes herself as “a single woman with strong family ties, living in Florida and struggling to stay afloat because of the high cost of everyday living.” She began work when she was 16 and works a full-time job with health benefits. She has never relied on government assistance. Yet despite doing everything “right,” A.J. finds herself drowning in medical debt. “I work hard, I have health insurance, but it’s never enough. The cost of healthcare and dental care is always more than my coverage, so I end up maxing out my credit cards just to pay for hospital bills, prescriptions, groceries, and even car repairs. Life is hard.”

A.J. lives with multiple chronic conditions—diabetes, hypertension, and glaucoma—which require ongoing medical attention and costly medications. Recently, her dental health brought on yet another financial crisis. One of the teeth supporting her partial denture came loose, and she needed immediate care. She turned to Florida Voices for Health, where she was connected with affordable dental care resources in her community. Unfortunately, even these “affordable” options still carried a staggering price tag. “The tooth actually fell out before my appointment,” A.J. recalls. “The dentist said the root had to be extracted, which cost me $100 out of pocket. But when it came time to replace the partial, I was told I’d have to pay $1,400 more because of a ‘missing tooth clause’ in my insurance. Altogether, that’s $1,500—and I just don’t have it.”

For A.J., this experience was nothing new. “Having dental insurance feels like having a $25 coupon—it never covers something, but too many things aren’t covered at all." She is now exploring whether her employer offers hardship assistance to help with medical expenses, but she admits the process leaves her feeling defeated. “I feel like I don’t stand a chance of getting ahead. Every time I try, another bill pulls me back under. Caring for myself keeps me in debt. It’s so unfair.”

A.J.'s words echo the reality of millions of hardworking Floridians: employed, insured, tax-paying—and still struggling. “We wonder why people are financially stressed,” she says. “It shouldn’t be this difficult to live. Life is already expensive enough when you have a low income. Add healthcare costs, and it becomes impossible.”

A.J. hopes that sharing her story will empower others to share their own experiences and advocate for themselves, too.

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