At least somebody’s comfortable
This press release from the N.C. Justice Center landed in my inbox the other day:
“Every year more North Carolinians join the ranks of the uninsured, and every year elected officials fail take the necessary steps to expand access to health care in the state. Perhaps the reason politicians are sluggish to respond to the health care crisis is because there is no crisis for elected officials. An examination of health care benefits offered to city council members, county commissioners, and the General Assembly reveals that most of the elected officials surveyed get full-time health coverage for part-time work. …”
Read the whole report at: http://www.ncjustice.org/assets/library/1240_healthcareelected31jul08.pdf
I don’t begrudge lawmakers their health care coverage, but why can’t the rest of us get the same access? How about basic access? Just allow us to have the diagnostic tests and the medications that can save our lives.
And don’t tell me everyone can get care in the emergency room.
Sure, the emergency room can’t turn anyone away, but they can’t afford to take everyone in either.
And in trying to be considerate of people they know can’t afford expensive tests, they try the simple stuff first. Let’s see if this is constipation and give you a strong laxitive.
OK, now let’s see if it’s diverticulitis. How about gastroenteritis? In a certain percentage of patients, the problem will be a simpler one.
By the time they get around to really diagnosing the problem in more persistent cases, the cancer is stage 3 and no longer curable. It’s a gamble, and every year, tens of thousands of people die because the dice landed wrong.
I can’t fault the hospital or the emergency room staff, but I can blame these legislators who get total coverage for free and can’t get off their asses to do anything for the rest of us.
Tags: Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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