P.O.V. | Critical Condition | Hector's Story | PBS

http://www.pbs.org/pov/criticalcondition What happens if you fall sick and are one of 47 million people in America without health insurance? The documentary film "Critical Condition" by Roger Weisberg premieres on PBS's P.O.V. series on Tuesday, September 30 at 9 PM on most PBS stations. (Check your local listings.) The film puts a human face on the nation's growing health care crisis by capturing the harrowing struggles of four critically ill Americans who discover that being uninsured can cost them their jobs, health, home, savings, even their lives.

Hector Cardenas, a warehouse manager in Los Angeles with diabetes, opted to amputate his infected foot before losing his job and medical benefits. When his insurance coverage lapses, he struggles to repair his broken temporary prosthesis on his own. He cannot walk properly or earn money without a permanent prosthesis, but he cannot afford the permanent prosthesis without a job that offers basic medical benefits.

A production of Public Policy Productions in association with Thirteen/WNET New York and American Documentary | P.O.V.

Find out more about this film: http://www.pbs.org/pov/criticalcondition

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News & Politics

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• trailer
• uninsured
• health
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• Weisberg
• P.O.V.
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• medicin

[ssick1]

Al of us are always a few moments away from a life-altering accident that will hurl you into a spiraling downward tunnel. You think you have great insurance until something bad happens. I met the co-producer of this film. She stated that it was very difficult to stay on top of all three of these people in the film, especially Hector. He's cracking jokes on screen but really, he is embarrassed and ashamed. Have some compassion. Do something about this. Write legislators. And please, get educated.

[awareham]

Your job or your foot? I'm sorry, even if I had an office job I think I would have to go with the foot. This guy must be on tranks . . . or he's about to pop off. Do not give this man a gun license!. No socialized health care, but 12 billion a week to give to defense contractors for a "war" in Iraq, or to bail out the richest of the rich on Wall St. My 6 year old daughter will be paying for this stuff for the rest of her life. These people, elected officials, are STEALING from all of us!

[aknowneemus]

@dee1879 man, are you living on the same planet as the rest of us.

I know people that have been waiting for disibility for 3-5 years. YEARS!

Not to recieve it , but just the application and denial process. You would think that a person could just walk to the nearest clinic and get treated. It doesn't work that way.

Diabetics need insulin, and that's expensive even with insurance. If a person is not working "low cost" means nothing. It has to be "no cost" I don't know of any FREE clinics!

[aknowneemus]

through my wife's work, i have the best,BEST of medical insurance and get the BEST medical attn.

Seeing this just makes me thankful and makes me thank god that i'm lucky.

Because that is really what it is. LUCK.

I could easily be this guy.

great documentary.

[dee1879]

First of all, those participants who supposedly couldn't work, could apply for disability and then receive Medicaid. So why didn't they? If they were working and then couldn't afford medical care? Well, there are all kinds of very low cost presription assistance programs, especially for the over-weight gentleman who is diabetic. And I happen to know of free clinics covering alot of the issues invloved in all of those cities. These people needed to get benefit counseling not pity.

[tombstonetom]

This happens everyday to insured Americans all over the country. This story is more the rule than the exception.