WRAL Investigates  The problem with high health care costs
Posted March 2, 2010  — Emeilia Cowens is enjoying life and
living it to its fullest after a near brush with death last
fall.  That's when the 37-year-old spent two months in a local
hospital and nearly died while fighting the H1N1 flu virus.  "I
feel absolutely fantastic," Cowens said.  Financially, though,
she says she is in rough shape.  Her medical bills amounted to
approximately $330,000, and even after insurance, her out-of-
pocket expenses are still more than she can handle.  "(I have)
stacks and stacks of bills. It's overwhelming," Cowens said.
"It's hard to keep your head above water."  Dozens of bills have
already been referred to collections agencies, she said.  "The
real person caught in the middle is the working individual who's
making a living and working as hard as they can but can't make
ends meet," said Dr. Bill Atkinson, president and chief
executive officer of WakeMed Health and Hospitals. "They're the
classic underinsured."  Atkins