So far, I’ve had the good fortune to have survived two heart attacks during my life. The first was pure stress, however, it was made quite clear by a highly skilled, and very well trained, cardiologist that it could have taken my life as easily as a bullet.
The second, on the other hand, came within less then thirty minutes of doing just that. Had I not been within reach of a facility that not only had the tools, but were also well trained in their use I would have been viewing the lawn from the under side, rather then being here to share with you this terribly frightening experience.
The reason I’ve chosen to, and am still able to, relate these facts now is that I had the good fortune of living in a country that boasts the finest health care system in the world. All that was necessary was to transport me to the nearest hospital in order for me I could take advantage of these miracles. Miracles that many are quite unaware of.
Not that many years ago, I worked for a company that built MRI equipment into semi-trailers so that they could be shared by those hospitals that could not afford to purchase one of these wonder machines for themselves. This is the kind of thing goes on every day in this country. Finding innovative ways to supply this marvelous level of health care to every American that needs it.
Now I will inject one point here that should to be clarified. The word NEED is a very important word here. The ‘need’ that I speak of here is the need of an individual, any individual, to receive medical attention in the case of a real emergency. A heart attack, and auto accident, etc. The kind of thing where you need help, and you do not have the time to argue about it. What you will find is that there is not a single hospital in this country that will turn away someone that truly needs help. This is what many see at a prime reason for our health care system costing what it does today, and I have to admit there is a certain amount of fact attached to that attitude.
The real fact is, the health care system that has been developed in this country is the direct product of the funding that drives it. Research is expensive. MRI’s and other far more exotic hardware are expensive. The facilities to house both the research and the hardware are expensive. By now I’m sure you’ve figured out that the key word here is ‘expensive’. I guess what most do not understand is volume of expense that is required, and exactly who actually pays the cost of these expensive components. With or without a dime of insurance, what you pay for a single visit to a hospital will have no effect on paying for the needs of the millions of others that arrive daily without a bit of insurance, nor a time to their name, for their own ‘needs’.
Though most people think they do, the average individual patient pays less then 0.0001% of the actual cost of the health care system. To be able to afford personal health care we pay premiums to those ‘evil’ insurance companies, who in turn, will pay for the majority of the hospital costs as well as a significant amount of the research costs as well.
I know I’ve taken some time to arrive at this point, but, I hope I’ve given the reader a small glimpse into the good side of the American health care system that we enjoy today. The reason for this is that, like it or not, we stand a very, VERY, good chance of having it stripped away from us by a group that is far more evil then any insurance company that has every existed.
This is, of course, the Congress of the United States, and of course their glorious leader Barrack Hussein Obama. The one we elected just over a year ago, on a promise of “Hope” and “Change”. Our mistake was, we did not demand that he tell us what he planned to change. Now we find out that health care was right on the top of his list. As a matter of fact, it is so much of an obsession to him that he has placed it well above things like the jobless rate is still today just short of 10%. It is obviously far above the economy that is still in the tank, and which most economists believe could be completely destroyed by this health care bill that he cannot let go of to save his life.
Now I’m sure you know I could go on for many pages with this discussion, but honestly I would much rather you spend a little time (that’s all it will take by the way) to get on the Internet and check into the facts for yourself. When you do, you will know it very short order, my reason for this article. Actually, the reason is so simple. This whole idea of the United States Government, the same bunch that runs the U.S. Postal Service and Social Security, being in charge of our countries health care mechanisms simply scares the devil out of me.
The absolute last thing on earth I ever want to find in a hospital emergency room is government bureaucrat. I can just hear it, “Let’s see now. Your having chest pains dizziness, sweating, hmm. Yes, that sure sounds like a heart attack. We can probably see you early next week. Ahhh, yes, we can work you in on Tuesday. How’s that for you?” I’m sure some are snickering, if not outright laughing right about now, but you really shouldn’t be. The younger you are, the more trouble your going to have getting the services your going to need just to stay alive. You will most assuredly be doing exactly what people in Canada are doing right now. You will be flying off to the U.S. to get treatment that the Canadian doctors can’t provide for 6 to 12 months when you only have 3 months to live. Oh! I’m sorry. I forgot that you will have the same health care here, if your lucky. Well, there is always Mexico.
It’s time to put a stop to this nonsense once and for all. Call, e-mail, fax, if you have to write a letter to your Congressman and let them know you do not wish to take part in Mexican health care. Then in November do the right thing: FIRE CONGRESS – THE ROOKIES CAN DO NO WORSE!
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I truly understand where the writer is coming from. I do not want to want months to see a doctor nor do I want a doctor who is is being told what he/she can or cannot do by the government. We all know the government’s track record. First of all, I am 70 years old in good health, however, I had knee surgery about six years ago, the “repair” didn’t last long. I finally had to start using a cane to walk and I had about two no more than three good hours a day. I finally saw another doctor at the urging of my primary care physician. After an MRI, things were put on a screen for me to see and understand. I had bone rubbing bone and it was chipping the bone. The surgery was difficult since so much repair work had to be done from the previous surgery. Bottom line, I have a new stainless steel knee, I cannot do the things I used to do YET, but I work out at a gym 2 hours a day, I watch my diet and if anything, a bit underweight. I have dance lessons scheduled to start in May and a very busy summer of going. I have as much energy now as I did at 50, yet this government will tell me – should this healthbill pass – that I cannot have a new knee, I will be “put out to pasture.” I did have some out-of-pocket expense plus I have my gym expense every month. But for a better quality of life, it is worth it. Who is the government to make a decision about my life or anyone else’s life when all they are going to do is look at a piece of paper and the first thing they will see is my age. At that time, it will be stamped – REJECTED – and sent back. Now mine is not life threatening but when you take an active, healthy senior and refuse medical service to improve their quality of life – this is a death sentence. Today’s seniors are yesterdays 50′s. We do not need to be put out to pasture when we are still full of life and everything we can possibly do to to stop this bill – we need to do it. And we all need to make a difference at the polls this year. Also this administration is counting on us having short memories in 2012. Some of us may not still be around but we need to make sure our children are aware of what is facing them and our grandchildren. I agree, Fire Congress, The Rookies can do no worse – and if they do, we will have set the pace, they can be sent home also.