07/10/2026
In Georgia today there are 1.2M without health insurance – the 2nd highest rate in the nation. And with the recent passage of H.R. 1, current estimates suggest that an additional 500,000 people will lose their health insurance in the years ahead in our state. We must make sure these individuals have access to critical healthcare.
Each one of these individuals has a story to tell, and this series – Humans of Clarkston – presents real stories of our patients. Today's story is that of a patient who after retiring was unable to afford health insurance and thankfully was able to receive treatment for cancer through Mosaic's partnerships.
If you want to help more people in our community like him access diagnosis and treatment, please donate today. We cannot do this without your support.
💊What is your name?💊 Aaron Brown (name has been changed for the purpose of this story to keep the patient anonymous).
💊What is your story?💊 I worked in Louisiana for three years with a refining company and retired from that job in 2022. I have two adult children. My daughter, who resides in Georgia, is married and has two kids. After retiring, rather than return to Jamaica, where we are from, she suggested we move to Atlanta to help her with the kids.
💊How did you find out about Mosaic?💊 I had COBRA for 18-months after retiring in 2022— after which we found ourselves without health insurance. We kept checking around, and a broker who was trying to help us obtain health coverage suggested Mosaic.
Mosaic was a blessing in disguise. We filled out the forms and started going there— we are really happy to have found a health clinic that we consider world-class. The staff are very nice, people-oriented, professional, and very caring. We found very good primary healthcare there— my wife and myself get our annual physical checkups, we get results on time, we're able to get prescription drugs. We're very happy with the service.
Fortunately, in my examination, I asked about a lump on my left bicep, and the doctor said we need to do something about it— as she wasn't comfortable with it. She referred me to the head of the Wellness Center who did some paperwork for me and referred me to Northside Hospital, which gives support with financial assistance as needed. They referred me to a surgeon oncologist— they found it was cancerous. I had to do radiation as well.
The doctor at Mosaic has been following up and called to check in to see how I was and asked if there was anything she could do after the referral and diagnosis. We are praying for a full recovery. After the surgery which involved a deep and wide wound, they said I am cancer-free. In their wisdom they said it was best to remove all the cells. I will need to be monitored for five years. I'm confident.
💊What has Mosaic meant to you?💊 What amazes me and stands out is that Mosaic took that initiative. Initially, I wasn't feeling any pain from this tumor and lump on my bicep. But the biopsy said it was an aggressive cancer, and they wanted to act on it right away. Mosaic didn't just overlook it, but led me in the direction to do something and get the help to get the problem resolved.
They have a place in my heart. I feel like I have gotten good help there, and I appreciate the receptionists, to the nurses, to the doctors, they are all very professional in their approach and very people-oriented. Mosaic is a special place to me.
