What would you do if you received this text from your child as I did this morning?

“Hi. Could I borrow $5000? Only if you have it available from a cash source (don't want to cause taxes for you). We depleted our HSA with all the medical expenses in the last year and still have bills to pay. I would need to start selling off stock and mutual funds at this point and pay the taxes on the earnings.”

I told him I would not loan him the money, but I would send the $5,000 immediately which I did. Is there any other choice? Not for me.

His wife is one of our three daughters in law who are dealing with breast cancer. The third is having surgery this week and if necessary, I will help them with out of pocket costs too.

Of course everyone realizes the mess we have when it comes to paying for healthcare.

In this case there is a $3,500 deductible and $6,500 annual out of pocket limit. This son is fortunate in one way, his employer pays the entire $3,600 monthly premium. Our other children are not so lucky with deductibles of $5,000 to $7,000 and high premiums. HSAs may help, but as you see, once they are used, you must start over.

I suspect our youngest son will need help during their health care crisis too and we are glad to help and very grateful we are able to do so. Most people are not so fortunate.

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