I really don't think you do get it. Particularly when this show was written (pre-ACA), it was a common reality of American life that you could get cancer, and not have the means to pay for the treatment. The counterpoint RasputinsDong was making is that in Walter's particular case, he had rich friends willing to help, and didn't actually need to do anything desperate to pay for his treatment.

While that is true, it doesn't nullify the sad fact that this plot point only seems normal to an American audience, because in almost every other advanced country this situation isn't even possible.