Good Health Insurance Can Save Your Life

When Lamont McClure became NorCo Executive, he made vast improvements to the medical benefits packages available for County workers. He established plans with health savings accounts for employees who choose high deductibles, and even agreed to match the money He also instituted Tele-Doc, which has saved the county money while giving people with minor medical problems an opportunity to consult with a medical professional by phone or even via video. Though unable to hand out lots of money, he''s done what he can to make sure that those who work for the county get good medical care.

We all tend to take things like this for granted. So I want to share a story about a county worker who is very thankful she works here. Out of respect for her privacy, I decline to tell you who she is or where exactly she works. Suffice it to say she works for the county.

This woman worked in a local department, but it closed its doors. she had a job at Lehigh County, but it was only part-time. She then learned of a full-time opportunity here and was hired at a low-paying job, but one with a pension and good benefits.

Not long ago, she developed a cough. She thought at first it was a cold but it would not go away. she eventually went to a doctor. It turned out she has stage four lung cancer. To make matters worse, it has spread to her brain.

She is undergoing chemo-therapy and doing quite well. In fact she's at work every day and you'd never know she is ill. In fact, the tumors in her brain are shrinking.

She credits this to a magic pill she takes every day. I forget the name of the drug, but it costs $15,000 a month.

Thanks to the health plans that McClure put in place, she is completely covered.

Even more importantly, she is doing well.

I also knew a man who had a brain tumor but no health insurance.

He's dead.