Friday, January 25, 2008

The historical issue of health care in this country continues to be fraught with emotionalism, anger, and fear. It is very recent indeed that preventative health care options, like using herbs, have been considered so that wellness can be achieved without the direct intervention of those licensed by the American Medical Association.
I have spoken with lots of people over the past many years about their complaint: people who are illegal in this country or are on welfare get medical care when hard working people do not. The people voicing their opinions know that it is not a simple matter for them to show up at a doctor’s office or hospital to get medical attention because they, being employed, self-employed, under-employed, or with any form of asset, will be billed for all services rendered. They also know that is exactly why there are such high percentages of bankruptcies related to medical bills that are impossible for uninsured and even insured people to pay.
Those who do receive medical attention through some governmental, non-employed, circumstance have not and will not change. Rather than fighting the situation from that base and remaining in fear, it is high time that seeing the problem from the “them” perspective ends. The “them” stops as soon as everyone in this country becomes a “them” to get full health care benefits.

1 comment:

Anita said...

Thankfully this issue is being properly raised. I find it unbelievable that such a wealthy country as the US does not understand the basic right that its entire people should be entitled to stay well. It is vital for any economy to have healthy members of society who are able to fully participate. The benefits of this are obvious. If people become bankrupt due to medical bills, or avoid getting necessary or adequate treatment because they can’t afford it, they will become less able to contribute to society both financially and socially. This in turn polarizes the country either further.

It’s not just people who are illegal immigrants or non workers that the issue of free health care has an impact on. More and more people who have worked all their lives are finding it difficult to get adequate health care from their employers and simply cannot afford to pay the prices themselves. Also when healthcare is dependent on the insurance companies, it’s not always the best treatment available that you are getting, but rather, which drug companies have the most money to line their pockets.

As a British citizen I have always taken for granted the benefits of free health care. I know it can work, and don’t believe that I should be grateful that I can receive excellent medical treatment when I need it, for FREE.