Case Study: A Secretary Died Avoiding a $1,500 Deductible. Wisconsin Built Something So It Would Never Happen Again.

In 2011, Patrick Blackholder was the CFO and COO at Rice Lake Area School District in northwest Wisconsin. Facing a mandated budget cut, he built a $1,500 deductible into the health plan. It seemed reasonable. It seemed responsible. A secretary came to his office. Her husband was out of work. Bills had stacked up. She said plainly: I cannot afford $1,500. I will not use it. Two years later, she died of cancer. She had avoided care until it was too late. Patrick said it as directly as a person...