http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_620_Heart_Matters.mp3 Musician David Bass has struggled with the health care system his whole life - that struggle inspired his wife to become a nurse. Plone 2.0 http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_620_Heart_Matters.mp3/logo.jpg http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_620_Heart_Matters.mp3 <h4>HEART matters</h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/576f30929c2af470ff861ee3bfa76e0e" alt="David Bass" height="100" width="100" />David Bass</p><p>The presidential candidates are seeking support for their proposed health care plans, citing rising costs across the board. This year, uninsured Americans are expected to spend $30 billion on out-of-pocket medical expenses.</p><p>Musician David Bass was born with heart problems and later required a heart transplant to save his life. But he was turned down by his doctor for care because he lacked health insurance. He talks to Dick Gordon about how he navigated the Medicaid system to get on the transplant waiting list. </p><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/2bf5bd7e7725696e1c79f5e1e36bdc46" alt="Rebecca Porter" height="100" width="100" />Rebecca Porter - <a href="resolveuid/47b6b503cb8df1bca14b040f8f8722db">see their family</a></p><p>His wife Rebecca Porter also joins the conversation. She says David's heart problems sparked her interest in nursing. Now that the family has medical benefits, she says, her family's outlook on the future has changed.</p><ul><li><div>See <a href="resolveuid/3f0bf9fd7b7d27d7a62e5b1206084f3a">David with the heart machine</a> on his son's first birthday</div></li><li><div>Learn more about David's current band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thefreighthoppers" target="_self">"The Freight Hoppers"</a></div></li></ul><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a><br /><br /><h4>FINDING HER FIGHT</h4><p>Our series on political awakenings continues. </p><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/63ac516a2b99284da13bb2cd8fb7e0bd" alt="Galena Segal" height="100" width="100" />Galena Segal</p><p>After Galena Segal escaped the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, she found work as a hotel cook in Los Angeles. She and her fellow workers routinely stayed after hours, but they were never paid overtime. So when Galena was fired after asking for a raise, she decided it was time to take action.</p><p>Galena talks to host Dick Gordon about what it meant to have the right to fight.<br /></p><p><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a></p> Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:00:00