Nancy and Richard Markley live in Oak Park and have two children, DiVia and Ezekiel. Nancy is a stay-at-home mom, and Richard works for a publishing company as the imaging manager. The family currently receives insurance through Richard's job but has to pay $740 per month for coverage.
The Markleys were hit hard by healthcare costs this year and have been unable to pay for much needed improvements to their nearly 100-year-old house or save for their children's education. Additionally, Richard works for a young company and there is always the risk of a merger or buyout that could leave them without coverage. Like many, the Markley family feels squeezed by circumstances beyond their control.
"We know we're not poor, but we're just caught in the middle," Nancy said.
