I went to the gym to work out today, and as I got on the treadmill, I got quite a shock. I started out at a slow speed and glanced at the TV monitor which was playing a commercial with a woman lying in what appeared to be a hospital bed. She was not saying anything, but had this deep, sad expression that words just could not describe. The camera then went to a man sitting next to her bed (both of them looked to be in their 40's). He also did not say anything, but had this grieved look of helplessness on his face. The camera then faded to black, with these words:
"Losing everything because you don't have healthcare is a price too high to pay."
That hit me like a brick wall and I just about lost it right there. I immediately looked away with a tight grimace and forced myself to think of something else before I broke down.
Meanwhile, just out of earshot, I'm sure one trainer leaned to the other and said something like, "Wow – that guy must really be out of shape. He's just warming up and he's already about to puke."
