Healthcare in America is often measured in statistics—rising costs, policy debates, and systemic inefficiencies. But behind every number is a human story. The Cost of Care is my attempt to bring those stories to light, to give voice to those who have navigated a system that often prioritizes profit over people.

This film is personal. Growing up, I saw firsthand how healthcare can be both lifesaving and inaccessible. My own experiences in emergency rooms—after injuries from BMX and action sports—taught me how fragile access to care can be. But it wasn’t until my mother’s battle with breast cancer that I truly understood the weight of a diagnosis, not just in terms of health but also the financial and emotional tolls. I watched her go through treatment while navigating an often impersonal and overwhelming system, trying to make sense of a process that never seemed designed for the people who need it most.

Her experience forced me to confront difficult questions—not just about the cost of care, but about what it means to be vulnerable, to rely on a system that doesn’t always offer support, and to find meaning in the uncertainty. In making this film, I searched for answers: How do we define care in a country where it is often a privilege rather than a right? What does it mean when survival comes with a financial burden? And how do we tell these stories in a way that compels change?

At the heart of The Cost of Care is Shannon Forney, a former schoolteacher whose life was upended by a brain tumor. Through her story, and those of others facing similar struggles, this documentary examines the reality of seeking treatment in a system that often leaves patients with impossible choices. Do you prioritize your health or your financial stability? Should survival come with a price tag?

This film is not just about those who fall through the cracks; it’s about the everyday American— the families who did everything right, paid their premiums, and still found themselves drowning in medical bills. I hope The Cost of Care sparks conversation, fuels empathy, and reminds us all that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.