A 28-year-old part-time Walmart employee in rural Putnam County, Florida, who voted for Donald Trump has said he would now consider supporting politicians who champion universal healthcare after struggling to afford chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

Michael Depew appears in a documentary released by progressive outlet More Perfect Union on 28 October 2026, filmed in a county where Trump won nearly 74 per cent of the vote.

He describes a diagnosis of aggressive testicular cancer and being told treatment is essential for survival.⁠ The footage captures him contacting insurers with an automated message announcing 17 callers ahead.

Diagnosis and Treatment Costs

The film identifies Depew as a part-time Walmart employee and shows him attempting to enrol in health insurance. An automated message informs him that 17 callers are ahead of him.

According to a social media post sharing the documentary, Depew's doctor gave him three months to live without immediate treatment. The post also described chemotherapy as essential to his survival.

The social media post estimated treatment costs at more than £37,500 ($50,000) and said Depew had no health insurance.

County Conditions and Work Barriers

According to the documentary's transcript, Putnam County has one of the highest poverty rates in Florida, with about one in five residents living in poverty, thousands uninsured and limited access to doctors. Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act meaning many low-income adults without dependent children do not qualify.⁠

Depew is hoping Medicaid will provide coverage, although Florida has not expanded the programme under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, many low-income adults without dependent children do not qualify.

The video's reporter Natasha Del Toro observes that access to care has grown harder since the elections in this strongly Republican area.⁠

Read more

Political Shift and Community Response

DePew expresses support for broader coverage. 'Everybody having health insurance will be absolutely amazing,' he says.

Asked whether such proposals would influence his vote he replies 'Yes. 100%. We shouldn't have to fight to just stay alive.'⁠ A social media user sharing the clip noted the 28-year-old's situation and his openness to politicians advancing universal insurance.⁠

A GoFundMe organised by Del Toro and Anand Kuruvilla has raised about £4,190 ($16,000) goal to cover surgery chemotherapy travel and living costs while he recovers.⁠

The case highlights healthcare access challenges in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Although Depew has expressed openness to politicians supporting universal healthcare, he has not publicly identified which candidate he intends to support.

The documentary does not establish whether Depew has since secured health insurance or begun treatment. He has expressed willingness to consider candidates supporting universal healthcare but has not confirmed which candidate he intends to support.

Read more