MICHAEL PEREZ / Staff Photographer
Iyasu "Izzy" Habtemicael workstwo jobs and relies on the city's free clinics for health care.
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Lack of insurance brought diabetic near death
Flower delivery man was hospitalized for $41,000 because he could not get into see a doctor.
Iyasu Habtemicael is an uninsured diabetic who missed an appointment at a free city clinic due to work. He couldn't get through to reschedule, and then gave up trying. A few months later, his blood sugar soared, and he spent five days in the ICU. Taxpayers covered most of the $41,000 bill. It all could have been avoided by easier access to care, said the nurse practitioner who treated him.
Contact staff writer Michael Vitez
Contact staff writer Michael Vitez
at 215-854-5639 or mvitez@phillynews.com
