dr. van rhee: it's in general terms a much more complicated system. one additional burden to the patient is that the patients have to navigate this complex financncial world, both in ters ofof the benefit that they are able to receive, and alslso dealing g with insurance aspec, which can be quite daunting. reporter: the clinic's own social worker counsels melanie, helping her to find support. melanie's salary wouldn't have cocovered her threree-weektatat the hotel. her treatments are sometimes lengthy. melanie: for me, it's hard to accept charity, because i'm a giver. i'm a big giver, i'm not a real taker. so, i'm the onone that's alwas used to doing for everybody else. i've raised fofour childr. reporter: melanie knows that none of this would have been possible without her famililys support. shshe proudly shows photos to r doctor. family and philanthropist support is essential, as there is not a national right to sick leave in america. melanie and stephanie are lucky. they can take off a couple of paid sick days or vacation days when they're feeling