Sixty-four-year-old Hazel Bonner has spent most of her adult life in an always frustrating and usually fruitless pursuit of decent and affordable health.

Visiting with her in Rapid City, SD, she reflected back to 1985 when she worked for the local public school system. Her family received coverage through the school’s insurance policy, but Hazel and her oldest daughter were disqualified for the first two years because of pre-existing conditions. In that short time, they were hit with thousands of dollars in health care costs that Hazel continues to pay off today.

In the 1990’s she left her school teaching job to pursue a law degree. When she finished law school she became a full-time sociology professor, but her time was split working part-time for two different colleges, hired by both as an adjunct professor without health benefits. She became one of the millions of American who are uninsured, despite her hard work and an advanced degree.

Things were okay until 2005, but then she began having heart problems. Improperly diagnosed with congestive heart failure, she was treated and sent home multiple times despite persistent symptoms that pointed to other problems. Hazel believes that had she been insured they would have kept her in the hospital until they figured out what was really wrong.

It took several visits and an angry call to the hospital from her daughter, a nurse, to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. The surgery to fix her heart valves was a success, but left her $200,000 in debt and without a house or car.

Today Hazel lives in a motel in Rapid City, renting a room that feels more like a cozy apartment. Medical bills loom, but her positive attitude reflects the fact that through it all, she’s just happy to be alive. Her efforts have been redoubled now that this self-described activist of 30 years is healthy again. She fills every day with community and civic activities, from freelancing for the local paper to advocating for anti-racism programs.

Her 65th birthday just days away, Hazel now sees at least some light at the end of the tunnel. With a repaired heart and newly-qualified for Medicare, she says she has a brand new lease on life. Above her desk is the motto she says she has lived by through the bad times -- and the better times she hopes lie ahead:

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