The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122219 Message #2687686
Posted By: Peace
26-Jul-09 - 08:33 PM
Thread Name: BS: Nationalized Healthcare, good? bad?
Subject: RE: BS: Nationalized Healthcare, good? bad?
Doug, I DO understand your concern. I am aware that for the people who have good coverage, America's syatem is damned good. But for people who do NOT have your level of coverage, life inside the medical syatem just ain't so good.
As a human--who on occasion has compassion--it hurts somewhere deep inside to see a mother not be able to get the best health care available for her child. I was one of those kids. Back in the 1950s, I can recall my mom begging a doctor to come to where we lived because I was in agony. My right ear was infected and she had NO money to get me to a hospital, nor any money to pay even if we got there.
She made $22/week and our rent was $24/month. At month's end she had nothing left. As in the fridge was empty and the cupboards were bare. I saw that woman wear sneakers to work because she had had to get me school clothes. OK, another sob story. BUT, the doctor DID come. He asked about the swelling on my head. I'd been banging it against the wall to try and stop the pain of the ear.
He gave me an injection of what I now guess was antibiotics and left some pills with my mom. I do remember he asked for $5.00. I don't doubt that man is dead now, but he will live as long as I do, for sure. His kindness will never leave my memory.
Life HAS to be more than 'I've got mine and fuck the rest' because the day it isn't life will not be worth the cost. I am not suggesting YOU feel that way, Doug. I have read too many posts from you that speak against that type of thinking. So, that said, now what?
Your level of care will NOT drop. I think about James Herriot and his vet practice. Alf White was the kind of vet anyone could look up to. We need doctors like that, and a system that supports those doctors. Medicine should be about making people well, not making money. We have the priorities wrong. I hope it changes.
On another note, one of my children is studying neuro-science. She will become a doctor or scientist. IF she chooses medicine, I would be very proud of her should she choose to gross $100,000/year in a job that usually nets lots more than that. Money simply says what we are deemed to be worth. Volunteer work says what we ARE worth, imo.
Best wishes to you.
BM