J. Dean Burkholder's wife lost her $28,000-a-year quality assurance job and, 18 months later, her health insurance after multiple sclerosis robbed her of the use of her legs.

Burkholder thought, No problem. He added Catherine in 2002 to the Inter-County health plan covering his two-man human services consulting firm.

The result? His monthly premium jumped from $605 to $1,500 -- or $18,000 a year to cover three people.

"I was in shock," Burkholder recalled. "But I felt I had no alternative."

He had no way of knowing how a lack of options would ultimately take him down the road to bankruptcy, and worse.

In 2003, Burkholder, of Manheim Township, got another jolt. His share of the annual premium increased to $28,680.

Burkholder still felt he had no choice but to pay it because his wife wasn't the only one who needed insurance. Burkholder had been an insulin-dependent diabetic since he was 13. He also had heart problems.

On an income of $40,000 a year, he paid the premium.

Mounting bills

At the end of 2003, Burkholder tallied what he and Catherine were paying for health care. They spent thousands in co-pays and deductibles for prescription drugs and doctor visits on top of the pricey bill for health insurance.

All told, they spent $46,967.

With health care costing more than they could afford, the Burkholders started raiding retirement savings and running up credit card debt.

Burkholder had hoped 2004 would be better because Catherine became eligible for Medicare and bought supplemental coverage through Aetna. For himself, Burkholder switched to Highmark and began paying $400 less a month.

But he didn't anticipate the uncovered costs of Catherine's medicines. In 2004, their out-of-pocket health care costs, including insurance premiums, rose to $53,471.

To pay bills, the Burkholders took out a $50,000 loan on their Clearview Avenue rancher. Then they borrowed $50,000 more.

Meanwhile, credit card debt grew to nearly $60,000, resulting in monthly payments of $1,500.

In 2006, Burkholder filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy for relief against credit card bills.

With health care costs still going up, Burkholder in 2007 was at a crossroads. He could pay for his insurance or he could make loan payments. But he couldn't do both.

He chose to cancel his health policy and pray that he wouldn't get sick.

Forced to move

The Burkholders still were unable to make ends meet. By 2008, Burkholder was missing payments on home loans totaling $169,000, and the lender took action.

Last summer, the Burkholders were forced to sell. Burkholder called losing the home "like a death in the family."

The Burkholders are now in a townhouse in East Lampeter Township, but only because Burkholder's son and daughter guaranteed the rent.

Like his wife, Burkholder, 62, now receives disability income and has Medicare coverage, a "public option," Burkholder said, "that saved Catherine and me from becoming homeless."

But on an income of $34,800, the Burkholders still pinch every penny. Rent takes 30 percent of their budget. Health insurance and co-pays, even with Medicare, take another 25 percent.

Burkholder shares their story without bitterness.

He says change is needed and wishes Americans would put aside ideological differences and engage in a "caring and compassionate discussion" about reform.

Illness and the exorbitant cost of health insurance led the Burkholders to lose their home and life savings of $130,000. It's not the way it's supposed to work.

jhawkes@lnpnews.com