Shortly after, the person in question gave me liberty to speak openly about what had happened to him and his wife. Turns out that's what he wanted all along.
Last September, our friend Andy and his wife Audra lost their two-year-old daughter, Fianna.
Fianna had a cold. Her conditioned worsened, and she was having trouble breathing. Her parents took her to the emergency room. Kaiser Permanente, the largest health insurer in the United States (net income, $1.3 billion), wouldn't approve treatment. They took their child home, and she died.
Andy wrote the story on a site where people chronicle horror stories about Kaiser Permanente: you can read it here.
I've always thought losing a child is the worst thing that can happen to a person. People survive, and they go on, because that's what people do. They even go on to have happy lives with their surviving family, or to create a new family. But I imagine the loss never goes away. And I can't imagine how much pain they suffer, every day.
I wish there was something I could do for Andy and Audra. Andy asked me to help publicize the story, so there it is.
* * * *
I actually did mention Andy's tragedy, although not by name, earlier on wmtc. About a month after it happened, I posted this.
Just among our little group [Joy of Sox community], one person is losing his wife to cancer because they could not afford adequate treatment and cannot afford to keep her alive any longer. Another lost his child because an HMO did not approve treatment, and sent the family home from the emergency room. Their two-year-old daughter died that night.
And those are just two people who have disclosed their tragedies to us. I can almost guarantee there are others.
Something about Cathy Baskin's story is here. If you haven't seen this video, please watch.
I admire Cathy Baskin, not only for being public with her story, but for relating it to the larger political picture. She's not just saying cancer is a tragedy. She's saying cancer treatment only for the wealthy is a crime, and we need health care for all.
Last we heard, Cathy was doing really well, which was wonderful news. But it doesn't change the larger picture.
Neither the Democrat nor the Republican candidate for US President supports universal, single-payer health insurance. Neither one of them supports removing profit from the health care structure.
* * * *
This was a big week in southwestern Virginia: health care week. Thousands waited for hours, some through the night, for their annual opportunity for health care, brought to them by a charitable organization.
They walk through the gates of the fairgrounds, give their most personal information to complete strangers and are ushered off for a battery of tests and procedures.
An expected 3,000-plus residents of Southwest Virginia and neighboring states are here through today for one reason -- to get basic medical care they couldn't otherwise afford.
A crowd began lining up in the wee hours of Friday morning for a coveted spot inside the fences at the Remote Area Medical clinic. Some would wait days for the free service. Some would never get in.
For the majority though, organizers and doctors said, this would be the only time all year they would get medical treatment of any sort.
Remote Area Medical, based in Knoxville, Tenn., has provided medical care for the poor and uninsured in the United States and around the world since 1985.
Since Friday, volunteer doctors, optometrists, pharmacists and dentists have been helping patients during 14-hour days.
Charles Sizemore, a 68-year old retired machinist from Wise County, got in line Friday about 2 a.m. for a basic physical and to get two fillings replaced.
Sizemore raised four children in the area but never had health insurance until he got Medicare when he retired three years ago.
"I wanted to," he said, leaning against bleachers where patients were being registered as the sun rose over the mountains. "There just wasn't enough money. I had to take care of my family, and I never made more than $10 an hour."
All his children have left the area for better-paying jobs, but he's too old to move, he said playfully.
Turning serious, Sizemore said, "I don't mean to be ungrateful. I'm glad RAM comes out and does this. But it's just damned sad that this is the only time most of the people around here are going to see a doctor. It's a damned shame."
. . .
Teresa Gardner said the RAM event is vitally important.
Gardner is executive director of The Health Wagon, a nonprofit organization that provides health care for the uninsured and underinsured in Southwest Virginia. It is the local organizer for the RAM event.
"The main problem is that these people don't have access to even the most basic health care because they can't afford it," she said. "And those that can afford the insurance, or get it through their companies, can't afford to pay the co-pays or the prescriptions." [The story continues here.]
My brother, an oral surgeon, works with an organization that goes into impoverished areas and performs surgeries that local residents otherwise would not have access to. He's been to Kenya, Guatemala, Ecuador and several other places. He's told us harrowing stories about the conditions under which they work, and heartwrenching stories about the gratefulness of the patients.
I don't see a whole lot of difference between those stories and this one from Virginia.
24 comments:
A little advanced warning: I will be selective about what comments I put through re Andy's story. Support of Andy and Audra is welcome. Criticism is not.
What would a Compassionate Conservative say to this? "At least they didn't have to go on a waiting list?"
What would a Compassionate Conservative say to this? "At least they didn't have to go on a waiting list?"
That would be the least of it. The Compassionate Conservatives I'm familiar with are neither compassionate nor interested in conserving anything but their right to be aggressive and hateful. My mother, for instance, would probably get an outraged expression on her face that the injustice of the situation was even being talked about and would say something like, "Well, they didn't have insurance!!", in effect, blaming people's suffering on lack of "personal responsibility" or something. My father would say things like, "What's that got to do with me?!", implying that other people's problems are not his concern and angered that it was being brought to his attention. Not that uncommon to hear those sorts of things in the US.
That narrative was difficult to read, but I'm glad your friend Andy found the strength to write it.
Once again, I'm grateful that I live in Canada. Attention American neocons: no matter what Rush Limbaugh may have told you, there are no waiting lists for critical care in this country. If your life is in imminent danger, you get treated and it costs nothing.
My father would say things like, "What's that got to do with me?!", implying that other people's problems are not his concern and angered that it was being brought to his attention. Not that uncommon to hear those sorts of things in the US.
Seriously? There are some folks who don't care about any other people at all? What was his response to Katrina? Or the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean? Or the "big one" whenever it hits the west coast?
What kind of upbringing results in people who don't care for anyone other than those they know?
(Not intended to be an attack Deang... I'm just shocked.)
I doubt Dean would hear that as an attack, as he's the first one to be disgusted by that attitude.
To answer Scott's question, yes, there are millions of people who only care about themselves and people exactly like themselves. In a culture that emphasizes independence, individuality and the spirit of the lone pioneer, it's quite common.
Really. OK, I'm naive. I thought in a society that was based on Christian values, where Christian religion is a big part of the culture, that people would at least care about others, even if they weren't willing to lend a hand or do anything about it.
In Canada here, if people genuinely don't care about a group of people, in general they will say they care but just do nothing to help. Does that not prevail in the US? Do people really say "screw the {identifiable group}"?
Seriously? There are some folks who don't care about any other people at all? What was his response to Katrina? Or the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean? Or the "big one" whenever it hits the west coast?
Unfortunately, yes, seriously, and he's not alone. I take it you've never watched Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage or anyone else of their ilk. The "I'm out to get mine and that's all I care about" is pretty common in the US.
As to what his responses would have been to the crises you list, most of them occurred after his death, so I don't know for sure, but I can tell you responses I heard from others with similar outlooks.
Katrina: "Those people shouldn't have been living in such a flood-prone place anyway." (from a coworker)
The Tsunami: "It was God's will." (another coworker)
California earthquakes: "They happen because of all the sin in California." (my mother)
And I didn't take your comments as an attack. To someone unfamiliar with such people, it does seem unbelievable. As for its origins, I don't know. In my dad's case, probably more societal than familial, since his sister is not that way at all, though they are all very racist. And it is Texas, so ...
Now back to the proper topic of this post (sorry, Laura).
To answer Scott's question, yes, there are millions of people who only care about themselves and people exactly like themselves. In a culture that emphasizes independence, individuality and the spirit of the lone pioneer, it's quite common.
And with that, you've hit on one of the major cultural differences between Canada and the US. Now, I don't think Americans are cold and uncaring as a rule. Nor do I think Canadians are particularly superior when it comes to helping others. But our highest values are not connected to the image of the pioneer. America's iconic hero is a cowboy on a horse. Canada's is a policeman on a horse.
When some Americans think of universal health care, they get the image of a paternalistic government stealing their hard-earned cash to hand out to a bunch of freeloaders. When I think of universal health care, I see the community rallying round to help people, only writ large. Similarly, I'm proud that some of my taxes go to social assistance programs, and would not be ashamed to get said assistance if I needed it. Canada has been described as the world's largest small town, and in this respect we are.
Dean, no need to apologize, it's all on-topic, or if it's not, it's the flow of the conversation. No problem.
Scott, I suppose there are some people who would seriously argue that the US was founded on Christian values. I think it is based on the profit motive, and Christian values is a smokescreen or an extremely thin veneer.
In Canada here, if people genuinely don't care about a group of people, in general they will say they care but just do nothing to help. Does that not prevail in the US? Do people really say "screw the {identifiable group}"?
To the people we're talking about, saying they care would be an admission of weakness.
This is not to say that Americans don't care about other people. I think they do, to the same degree people everywhere do. But the general approach is on an individual basis.
TV news runs a story about a child who needs health care, and they're flooded with donations and offers of help. But pay for other people's health care out of their taxes?! No way. (Although increasing numbers of Americans do want to do this.)
In general people's problems are looked at as individual problems, often of their own making, not as social issues that may have a societal solution.
And with that, you've hit on one of the major cultural differences between Canada and the US. Now, I don't think Americans are cold and uncaring as a rule. Nor do I think Canadians are particularly superior when it comes to helping others. But our highest values are not connected to the image of the pioneer. America's iconic hero is a cowboy on a horse. Canada's is a policeman on a horse.
I've called it speaking in the "we" instead of the "I". I think it's the bottom line of why I feel happier and more at peace in Canada.
I suppose there are some people who would seriously argue that the US was founded on Christian values.
That group of people does not include the founders of the US, however.
Families USA has a new website, Stand Up For Health Care, featuring a very thorough Facts About Health Care page.
America's iconic hero is a cowboy on a horse. Canada's is a policeman on a horse.
"Peace, Order, and Good Government"
I remember one libertarian I was talking to who was immensely offended by that slogan...
Families USA has a new website, Stand Up For Health Care, featuring a very thorough Facts About Health Care page.
I'm pretty sure (tho not positive) that's where many of Sara Robinson's good health care stories were.
I remember one libertarian I was talking to who was immensely offended by that slogan...
Heh. I'm not offended, but there can be too much emphasis on order - in many societies. Especially the US!
I love your new blogger photo.
This is something I have been wrestling with as a life long conservative - the whole concept of socialized medicine. I have long opposed it because of its origin in socialism, but then...
A functional society offers a set of services to mitigate unfortunate events that happen to people at a very minimum.
Law enforcement is a perfect example. We as a society have collectively decided to pitch in to fund it because crimes happen to victims.
Nobody calls it "socialized" law enforcement.
I am now wondering if medicine falls into the same category. Diseases and illnesses happen to people even though though some can be said to be their own doing, but then the same can be said of walking alone in the dark alley and getting robbed. We still fund police to serve and protect the more risky and careless among us.
(And I don't even want to get into national security. Nobody, and certainly no conservative, calls it "socialized" national security even though we could probably ensure the whole world with all the moneys going into it).
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, David.
You may be interested to know that in Canada, most Conservatives strongly support the health care system. It's widely acknowledged that health care cannot be left to the free market, because it's something everyone needs - and society benefits when more people are in good health.
Another thing to note is that we don't have socialized medicine. We have universal, single-payer health insurance.
Doctors are independent. They do not work for the government. We can visit any doctor we choose. But everyone is insured by a single insurer (one per province), no one can be denied insurance, costs are controlled, and there is no profit involved.
Among other advantages, this creates a strong incentive for preventative medicine, as it saves us all money in the long run.
Knowing you as I do - knowing you are a compassionate and caring person - it's hard for me to see what you could have against this system.
It's not communism. It's not the system that tore apart your native country. It's something else entirely.
HMOS are a disgrace, and a con job. My sister had treatment delayed while a group of bureaucrats decided whether or not she qualified for it. Fortunately in her case, it was not a serious issue. I am extremely sorry to hear of your friends' loss of their daughter. For money. They lost their child for MONEY.
What more can I say. The USA is a much meaner, more selfish place than it used to be. I am thanking my lucky stars that I am now in Canada. It is a country that cares about the 'we' more than the 'I'.
I can certainly relate to the "we" identity, but I am not very comfortable with the mounted police officer as an iconic symbol of Canada (if nothing else, because Mounties -- not on horses -- were for many years the ones responsible for keeping tabs on the peace movement, trade unionists etc., at times using some pretty shady tricks, agents provocateurs etc.).
Perhaps at least as relevant: when asked asked to name the greatest Canadian ever, our top nominee was the "father" of socialised medicine: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/douglas-tommy.html
Now that's a symbol (and a reality) we can get behind.
David, good point re Tommy Douglas and the greatest Canadian. I'm surprised no one mentioned it sooner.
"Mouseland" is found several times on this blog. I was very excited when I discovered it.
And the ongoing project to maintain the US health care system's reputation as the worst in the developed world proceeds apace: New regs that require hosptials to tolerate bigots who'll refuse treatment to people they don't like.
What a tragic situation. Stories like this - and the one James posted about the religious right's influence on health care - are big reasons we are leaving the US for Canada. We're young, healthy and insured, but as the story shows having insurance doesn't always mean you get decent care. And it's so easy to lose insurance. I look forward to living where keeping everyone healthy is a priority, rather than corporate profit.
Good luck with the move, Ursula!
We had health insurance, too, but it cost us a lot, and of course was dependent on our employment situations - which can always change.
I feel so good now that it's being paid from my taxes. I feel great about where my taxes are not going!
Mounties -- not on horses -- were for many years the ones responsible for keeping tabs on the peace movement, trade unionists etc., at times using some pretty shady tricks, agents provocateurs etc.
"Were"? Why is this in past tense?
"Were"? Why is this in past tense?
Only past tense because the RCMP's surveillance, infiltration, harassment and active provocation of the Canadian peace movement, trade-unionists and even dangerously subversive womens-rights organizations (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/08/04/rcmp-womenslib.html)
eventually became such a public relations liability for the government that they created the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to do the same nonsense under a different name. And recent events (last summer at Montebello for example http://www.nupge.ca/news_2007/n23au07b.htm) suggests that provincial police forces also get in on the act. So yes, very much in the present tense, though names and acronyms change. And so the Mountie as an un-Canadian symbol is more of a historical reference for some of us, because they have been largely replaced in their FBI-like function of keeping us "safe" from ourselves.
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