So I was struggling but able to make ends meet, and even have the occasional $5 treat (app, ebook, Starbucks Mmmmmm....), then I got hit by an illegal (no, that's not a race). All of us went to ERs, mine to a trauma center, after the ho$pital acquired infection, it was six months in a specialist ho$$$pital ICU. I'm alive but nearly fainted when I totaled the bills. My retirement and emergency savings kept me alive otherwise everyone would have denied care until it was too late.