Courtney Griffin died at age 20 from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. She was turned away from a treatment center less than two months earlier when her insurance was declined. Courtesy of the Griffin family hide caption
Politics In Real Life NPR is looking at issues impacting people's lives and how they match up with rhetoric on the campaign trial. Follow along and join the conversation on social media: #PoliticsIRL
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Politics In Real Life
Renee Powell's family must pay more than $13,000 per year in out-of-pocket health care costs before they are fully covered. Courtesy of Renee Powell hide caption
Jennifer Kaiser, a 44-year-old legal assistant from Indianapolis, says her yearly raises are eaten up by expenses. Jim Zarroli/NPR hide caption
Politics In Real Life: What Wage Stagnation Looks Like For Many Americans
Nancy Glynn, her husband, Michael Gebo, and their son, Hunter, attend a minor league baseball game near their home in Manchester, N.H. Courtesy of Nancy Glynn hide caption
Politics In Real Life: Paid Family Leave A Big Concern, Not A Top Campaign Issue
Rissa Sawyer receives $486 per month from Social Security — it's low because for most of her adult life she didn't have jobs that paid into the system. Chris Arnold/NPR hide caption
Politics In Real Life: Should Americans Be Auto-Enrolled In Retirement Plans?
University of New Mexico students Monica Nezzer and Patrick Arite work 15 to 30 hours per week giving campus tours in order to help put themselves through college. Steven St. John for NPR hide caption