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In his mid-50s, George Kretchun was finally living the dream: After years of working for someone else, the Reidsville man opened his own catering business.

But when he went looking for health insurance, the dream dimmed.

At his age and with a pre-existing condition, he faced paying more than $25,000 a year in premiums.

The choice was unpleasant. Either find a way to pay a staggering price or go without insurance, which at 56, would have been “Russian roulette,” he said.

“The bottom line is, I would have had to close my business,” Kretchun said.

His only real option: Ditch the dream and search for a job offering health insurance.

Adding to the frustration, some insurers didn’t offer Kretchun any coverage at all. “They wouldn’t even talk to me,” he said.
 

But in the end, he found a new state program that can help people having difficulty finding health insurance, and he’s been able to keep the business.

The program, called Inclusive Health, began offering coverage at the start of this year.

So far, just 1,300 people have signed up, but Michael Keough, the program’s executive director, estimates some 200,000 people could be eligible.

Officials are trying to get the word out about the program, and two events are scheduled this week in the Triad.
For many, the program can provide significant savings.

In Kretchun’s case, he had received a quote of $2,200 for a monthly premium. He now pays $669 a month through Inclusive Health.

His condition, an autoimmune liver disease he has lived with for five years, has been controlled through medication, he said.

He’s grateful for the coverage he’s receiving, and believes no one should have to make the choice he had faced.

“Health insurance should be a right,” he said. “I don’t mind if they tell me you’ve got to pay double. But don’t tell me I’m not allowed to get any insurance.”

Kretchun urges others in similar situations to check out what the program offers.

“It’s just a God-send,” he said.  “It changed my whole life.”

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com