Vernadine Robinson, of Charlotte, N.C., prepares a meal in her home. Robinson is more than $100,000 in debt due to severe diabetes, Lupus disease and other health issues. Robinson worked as a house keeper for 27 years at Wingate college, but lost her health insurance and retirement fund when she became to ill to work. The healthcare reform bill will not help cover pre-existing debt or improve medical conditions for Robinson. “I was so angry, I was so angry. I don’t know who I was angry with...myself...God...the people that cut it [her leg off],” Vernadine said.

Robinson's granddaughter rides with her to pick up her medicine. Robinson rarely drives anywhere due to her prosthetic leg and fear of getting into a wreck. Robinson lives with her her two sons and three grandchildren in a two bedroom apartment in Charlotte, N.C.

Vernadine has reduced her daily medicine intake from more than 21 medicines to seven, replacing many with vitamins.

Vernadine continues to suffer from severe depression and rarely leaves the house and often sleeps most of the day. She is unable to get a job because she will lose her disability and will be unable to keep up with regular bills. As for her medical bills, Vernadine has given up, "I lost my home, I lost my marriage...I lost my car, I lost my leg, I lost my hair, I lost everything, I'm just without nothing now."

Angie Miller,45, has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice and visits the hospital every three weeks to receive an IV that helps keep her cancer in remission, which she will have to take for the rest of her life. Disability only provides enough for Angie to pay her monthly bills and is unable to save in case of an emergency.

Angie folds clothes while her son plays with his nephew, her grandson, before bed. Angie has temporary custody of one of her son's three children, which also further weighs on her limited and fixed income from disability.

Angie plays with her three grandchildren after their nap time. “I want to live as long as I can live, I want to see my grandchildren grow up, I want to enjoy life. So irregardless of what kind of debt I’m going to get into, I’m going to keep getting any kind of treatment that I need,” Angie said.

Angie speaks to her doctor, Dr. Brouse, about her how she has been feeling and if she's been taking care of herself. After being diagnosed with breast cancer twice, Angie's immune system will always be weak putting her at a higher risk of becoming sick.

Keith Robbins is consoled by his girlfriend and supporter Sheryl while at the mall in Monroe, N.C. Keith, 45, a business owner, was well off with a family and home before the recession, after which he had a divorce, lost his home and was diagnosed with tongue and throat cancer. "I took for granted that I was going to be successful for the rest of my life."

Sheryl helps Keith put on his coat after visiting with Dr. Troutman, left, about his neck. Keith received one of the most intensive rounds of chemotherapy to remove his cancer, more than 35 rounds, and is does not yet know if they were able to remove all the cancer. While Medicaid paid for all of Keith’s cancer treatment, Keith receives $450 dollars per month for disability. When he was put on disability, his food stamps were cut in half. “I worked hard my whole life, six, seven days a week, I paid my dues, and to give me $449 dollars a month for disability, I think is a joke,” Robbins said, who would be homeless without Sheryl allowing him to stay rent free at her home.

Sheryl feeds Keith through a tube in his stomach while a friend visits. Sheryl does this multiple times everyday. Keith hasn't eaten a meal in six months.

Robins and Sheryl enjoys the simpler things one afternoon during recovery. Despite all of his troubles he maintains a positive outlook on life and his future. “She has been by my side 24 hours a day, seven days a week since this started. She is an angel. And I could give her millions of dollars if I had it, but that still wouldn’t be enough to repay her for what she has done for me,” Robbins said about Sheryl.