Cindy Ramer with a photo of herself and her husband
A moving story in the September 7 issue of Iowa’s WCR Courier traces the troubles experienced by long-time CNA Cindy Ramer because she and her husband could not afford health insurance.
Rising medical costs forced the Ramers to file bankruptcy in 2003. Two years later, Cindy tells the paper, she lost her husband to a heart attack – and she still can’t afford to buy him a tombstone.
“It’s really a very, very sad commentary on our society when the very people that are providing care don’t have access to care themselves,” says Iowa CareGivers Association President Di Findley.
Ramer is a graduate of the 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program.
I was fortunate to meet Cindy at the Voices Institute this year. Her story made me cry and then be angry at the way DCA’s have to live. Cindy you are such a strong woman and I just want to say Thank You for the work you do on behalf of DCA’s everywhere.
It is indeed a travesty of justice that the health care workers that spend more time with people than doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers and are responsible for protecting the quality of life and health for millions of Americans, have no health insurance themselves!
Cindy I am very proud of you by getting up and talking about your story. You are knowen state wide and national wide so keep up the good work. Everytime ICA has program about telling our stories Cindy’s story that is told and it makes us cry everytime it is told. She has a lot of support from her Leadership Council about that story.