Several days after NPR published and aired the following story, Fresenius Medical Care, one of the two largest dialysis providers in the U.S., agreed to waive its $524,600.17 charge.

For months, Sovereign Valentine had been feeling progressively run-down. The 50-year-old personal trainer, who goes by “Sov,” tried changing his workout and diet to no avail.

Finally, one Sunday, he drove himself to the hospital in the small town of Plains, Mont., where his wife, Jessica, happened to be the physician on call. “I couldn’t stop throwing up. I was just toxic.”

It turned out he was in kidney failure and needed dialysis immediately. (READ MORE)