Sarah Gustavus was burned by $2500 in medical bills. It was about three years ago, and she actually had health insurance at the time. While working a second job to pay it off, Gustavus decided she didn't want insurance anymore. But now that she's become attached to her status as an uninsured rebel, people have been trying to convince her that she should have health insurance. And not for the reasons you'd think. She tells us her story.

Notes from Independent Producer Sarah Gustavus

My idea was to make people really talk to me about health insurance for a change. I've gotten lectures from strangers at the bus stop and pharmacists, but it was always along the lines of "what if you get hit by a bus?"

I know I could get hit by a bus, or get cancer, but I don't feel like having insurance would really solve all of those problems. Affordable plans have high deductibles. I had insurance for a little over a year and had almost $3000 in out of pocket medical expenses. That's a lot of money when you're a freelancer and recent college graduate.

This story helped start my first decent conversation with my dad about this issue. Turns out, he's having the same problems. He used to have a good job counseling people with drug and alcohol addictions in a Texas prison. When the state needed to cut back on expenses, he lost his job. Now he drives around on two-lane country roads and interviews people who want to take in foster kids. His private insurance is hundreds of dollars a month, with a $5000 deductible. I don't want to be an extra burden on him, but I always feel like I could use $100 in my pocket now, instead of spending it on insurance. It's a dilemma I'm still trying to solve.