Bobbie loves her life in Redding, CA and made it clear to us that she doesn’t want to be seen as a complainer. That doesn’t change the fact, though, that this psychotherapist is paying a heavy price for pursuing her dream of starting her own private practice.

Having left the safety of a job with a larger agency, she found herself on the individual insurance market settling for a plan with a $3600 deductible to keep the monthly premiums within budget.

It’s not an ideal situation for someone who needs regular check ups following a diagnosis of skin cancer. She’s supposed to see the doctor every six months but pushes her follow up visits to once a year because it’s an out-of-pocket cost for her, one she can barely afford on top of the premiums.

Her health coverage aside, she’s happier now that she controls the number of patients she sees, not having to endure back-to-back appointments always with an eye on the clock like she did at the agency. This mental health expert knows that her choice to go out on her own has meant less stress and a better sense of well being. Still, the poorer health coverage leaves her financially vulnerable, relying on a plan with ever-increasing premiums and a deductible that makes it too expensive to use.

Frustrated that she pays so much for inadequate care, Bobbie told us, “This is unacceptable. The insurance companies only want to insure healthy young people.”

Our visit with Bobbie reminded us of Bea in Charlotte, NC who we met earlier on the Cover America Tour. A domestic violence counselor who also struck out on her own and was forced into buying a high-deductible plan she can’t afford to use, Bea told us, “The American dream is only for the young and the healthy.”

Two women pursuing their dream careers 3,000 miles away from each other came to the same unfortunate conclusion. They know they’ve made the right business decision, but are constantly reminded that it has meant a loss of their health security.

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