Washington, D.C. - January 18, 2017: Joanne Fitzgerald, an interior designer from Washington D.C. has had gastritis, a pre-existing condition since college. In times of stress, her gastritis flares up, causing lesions. A flare up occurred during the stress of divorcing her previous husband -- who's insurance she was on. Her doctor recommended an over the counter remedy. When looking for her own insurance she was denied by Kaiser Permanente and United Healthcare because of her pre-existing condition. CareFirst eventually accepted her, but wouldn't cover anything to do with her gastrointestinal tract.
Joanne Fitzgerald is photographed at her D.C. home.
CREDIT: Matt Roth for The New York Times
Assignment ID: 30201331A