While private-jet-load after private-jet-load of lawyers, lobbyists and politicians talk and talk about health care reform, the news outlets are full of heartbreaking stories of people in severe need of medical bill help.

There are two stories out of North Carolina about home-grown and hand-picked fundraisers to help a few folks facing big medical bills following medical emergencies.

In Winston-Salem, a community is coming together with several neighborhood-supported gardens and dinner-fundraisers to help the family of three-year-old Errol Clifford, who recently underwent his third open-heart surgery. His mother described the situation: “We have been drowning in medical bills, even in the interest on medical bills.”

Just down the road in Asheville, local bluegrass musicians are throwing a special concert to help 25-year-old Americorps volunteer Palmyra Romeo who suffered a brain abcess over the summer. Although Romeo had health insurance, she quickly ran over her limit and now cannot afford physical therapy or medications.

And then, over in Kansas City, several families are pulling together to hold a yard sale to help out the family of 17-year-old Jeremy Tye. Over the last six years Tye has faced three strokes, a burst blood vessel in his vein and multiple surgeries. His father’s health insurance covered most of the expensive, but he lost his job months ago, leaving the family in a pinch.

These stories illustrate both sides of the coin. They show the immense love and support of communities across the country. Neighbors still come together to help those in need.

But on the other side is the tough truths about health care in the U.S. right now, as illustrated by the New York Times in a story about a 25-year-old Susan Halley. One bad hamburger led to a hemorrhage of her intestines and trip to the emergency room. Before she knew it, she had $27,000 in medical debt while earning only $33,000 – pretax – while working for a non-profit group that helps disabled people. The hospital wouldn’t negotiate with her, and they sued, demanding she sell the car she used to get to work.

These stories break my heart. Essential medical care shouldn’t break the bank.