National health care debate hits home for Fargo man

• Tony Franzwa

Twenty-five year old Tony Franzwa of Fargo first noticed something while attending classes at MSUM. He was having trouble focusing on the blackboard.

Talk about it

The US Supreme Court is meeting behind closed doors to decide the fate of President Obama's Health Care plan. The debate outside the court - as well as inside - focuses on the government's role in paying for health care.

Twenty-five year old Tony Franzwa of Fargo first noticed something while attending classes at MSUM. He was having trouble focusing on the blackboard. He didn't think much of it. He passed it off.

Things changed dramatically when doctors discovered lesions in the back of his eye. It was an eye disease he was born with, leaving the retina in his left eye blown and useless.

Tony Franzwa – Without Health Insurance: “The right eye still has the yellow lesion and it hasn't burst. That is why I am able to see out of my right eye.

The problem facing Tony now? There is no guarantee his right eye will stay healthy.

Tony Franzwa: “The doctor said it could be tomorrow that it could burst or never or 30 years.”

On top off this, Tony, like so many young working adults has no health insurance. His effort and work history is not the problem.

Tony Franzwa: “I am working three jobs right now.”

It is a challenge facing many young adults who are working multiple jobs with no benefits. It is a gamble staying out of the hospital because of no health insurance.

Tony Franzwa: “It is scary to think about it, but I try not to think about. I just live on like nothing will happen.”

As the Supreme Court debates the Obama Health Care Plan, Tony would like to see a state like North Dakota have some kind of program to help young adults who work but cannot afford health insurance. Minnesota has it. Meanwhile, Tony's friends threw a benefit for him, raising money to help pay for the high cost of his eye surgery.

Tony Franzwa: “Glad I got to work at the bingo place, because all the ladies there loved me and they were a big help.”

The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the health care law between now and June.

Tags: kevin wallevand, news, fargo, health, reporters, updates