Healthcare: It's a You-and-Me World

A line started forming just after midnight Tuesday at the Los Angeles Forum in Inglewood, California by thousands of people hoping to get free medical, dental and vision services being offered courtesy of the non-profit group Remote Area Medical. The people in line were not just the uninsured, but also the insured whose deductibles and co-payments are too high for them to handle.

Whether we are one of the insured or uninsured, the debate over the American health care bill affects us.

I have been listening to the debate astounded by those who are opposing the possibility of health care for all of our citizens. Those who are opposing the bill seem to think that if we provide services for the uninsured, that we will somehow be taking away from them - or, as a number of the protesters have argued, "taking away their America." I find some irony in that argument. Isn't America a country that built itself on this premise: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." (Quoted on the Statue of Liberty).

I wonder if this you-or-me mentality is something that we are going to have to contend with for the upcoming decades, or if we can consider a shift in perspective to a you-and-me nation, and ultimately a you-and-me world?

"Just as blood in the body must flow to all parts of the body for health to be maintained, money is useful when it is moving and flowing, contributed and shared, directed and invested in that which is life affirming. When blood slows down and begins to stop or clot, the body becomes sick. When water slows down and becomes stagnant, it becomes toxic. Accumulating and holding large quantities of money can have the same toxic effect on our life." - Lynne Twist, The Soul of Money

I mention this quote because it seems to speak to the toxic meltdowns we have seen recently -- Bernie Madoff, AIG, Lehman Brothers -- and in particular the situation with the health insurance companies.

We've heard about those Americans rejected by health insurance companies for having a "pre-existing condition." I have been one of them. Getting that letter in the mail (twice) stung with a feeling that the insurance company's choice was never really about the well-being of people, but rather it was about more money in their pockets.

Well now the money has clotted in their bank accounts, and the toxicity has grown to infect our whole country. If things continue to go in the direction they have been, our "health care" system will turn into a "health chaos" system.

Luckily, there are companies like Remote Area Medical who believe in sharing time, talents, and resources to help those in need. "An infected tooth can't wait while Congress debates healthcare reform. We're taking care of people who need help now," says Don Manelli, Executive Producer of the week-long LA event.

I am not saying that doctors, health organizations, or health insurance companies should be offering their services for free. Of course not. What I am looking at is where the money is getting caught up, where it is losing its flow, and what can we do to change this?

As we continue in this health care debate, I wonder if it is possible to shift the very basis of the way we think - from one where we compete and fight for what seem like "scarce" resources, to one where we realize that there actually are enough resources and that we just need to look at how we allocate them so we can help one another.

Comments

[MicheleCA]

this story should be on the front page!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[jan4insight]

Terrific article. Thank you!

[Chip W]

"We're all in this together" is a liberal outlook.
"We're all on our own" is conservative, though that could probably be expressed better.
This isn't absolute; it's more a continuum, but you won't be seeing conservatives adopting "We're all in this together." Not very quickly anyway.

[Tabby Biddle - Huffpost Blogger]

I hear you Chip. There are definitely two different outlooks going on right now -- and yes, I agree -- they are not absolutes. I wonder if along the continuum there might be a shift toward, "We are all in this together." I agree that it's not likely to happen quickly, but over time I think it could happen. I am an eternal optimist for human nature.

[kpal]

The scarcity mentality. It's paranoid and illogical. It's un-Christian and un-American, but at the same time it appears to be absolutely fundamental to RIGHTWING EXTREMIST thought. Do the math.

[chriss0114]

I guess Sarah decided AGAINST honoring the American soldier because she wants to make things up!

Silly Sarah used to be FOR death panels when she was governor...I wonder what changed?

http://gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=1094&type=6

Also, those on Facebook can vote on a poll to get her Facebook account revoked for abuse:

http://apps.facebook.com/realpolls/m/76g5ulg1k

[Chip W]

I don't know what you're referring to, but I read Sarah Palin's Facebook post - the one that was a "rational" discussion about Death Panels.

It wasn't abusive. It was taking a little piece of fact, then using wild-ass extrapolation to arrive at a conclusion that, if you enjoy being paranoid, could be considered maybe slightly possible, and certainty something to be deathly afraid of, and to make loud noises about.

The comments on her post were mostly "Keep fighting for our Freedoms, Sarah." Stuff like that.

[notmd]

Your point is relevant as it applies to the competitive nature of hospitals..Already the discussion around the EHR is whether your institution is ahead of the curve from a competition perspective rather than hospitals working together to reduce costs(eliminate duplicative services) and improve quality care(share clinical knowledge)..It will take courageous leaders that recognize a more regional perspective and work with other insitutions to improve quality and reduce costs..

[mlimberg]

The Obama Healthcare Plan would not correct anything and cost a bunch.

If Obama's car had a flat tire, under the current plan, Obama would crush the car, take over the auto industry and install "rock" tires on all the future cars. No more flat tires.....

[PWM]

Canada spends 11% of its GDP on healthcare, everyone is included, no one turned away, and there is no preexiting. No Canadian family went bankrupt due to hospital bills.

US spends 18%, and we all know the problems.

So what the US is doing is spending 7% more on healthcare than canada and nothing to show for it. To keep the present system is to waste trillions for what? So insurance CEOs can make bonuses that are something in the range of $100,000 per hour.

[Tabby Biddle - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you PWM.

[snookers]

You just wonder if 18% GDP if extrapolated to 100% of the population, would be closer to 25%-30% of GDP'..
The egotistical attitude is troublesome. .
Like watching a scifi movie, devoid of any compassion for fellow humans in need.
Centuries of civilization and still back to cavemen mentality., Maybe cavemen though did have more compassion for their fellow humans than 21st century Americans. How else did they survive as a species..

Since I grew up in The Netherlands, am familiar with a government sponsored insurance plan. Mandatory in Holland since the1940'S unless you had private insurance. Affordable premium based on income only.
Interesting In 2006 they(Holla­nd)abolish­ed that and now it is all private insurance. The government will pay part of the premium depending on income. .
Income tax upto 51% but you have to make bundles to pay that rate.
Cost about 10% GDP. About one GP per 250(in US about 1 per 450). 100% of the population has a regular GP.
It is scary how Americans are so gullible to scare tactics//outright lies by the lobbyists/­politician­s without checking facts. . They are just protecting their $$$$$$. Most politicians are protecting future $$$$/perks for re-election campaigns/jobs after congress.
By the time this bill is approved , it will be so watered down that it hardly can be called health care reform.
BTW most Americans still have the illusion that the USA has the highest longevity/lowest infant death rate in the world. Just ask.

[jennyjen]

This story should be all over the news. What is wrong with the republicans and blue dog democrats? What are they thinking? Do they just write the uninsured or those who can't afford even the deductible off as stupid or unworthy? Again - what is wrong with them?

Funny I haven't seen this on Fox or CNN or even MSNBC - Keith - Rachel - Ed - this story needs to be told over and over and over again. The president should attend one of these events. He should have one of his town halls with folks waiting in line. Wonder if that would be newsworthy??? Oh man I would love to see how shameless the loud the protesters would dare to get in this crowd? Hmm maybe they would take a break and actually listen for a change?

Much appreciation and gratitude for Remote Area Medical. My son just became an RN a few months ago and I will see if there is a way we can volunteer here in Colorado. Thanks so much for a wonderful service.

[Tabby Biddle - Huffpost Blogger]

It is really amazing to see the love and support that people put forth to help out one another. One of my friends is an RN and went to go volunteer with Remote Area Medical in LA, but they actually have all the RNs that they need right now. Amazing. So many people volunteering their skills and time to help out those who need the help. It just goes to show there really are ENOUGH resources - we just have to create programs that help allocate the resources. I think this is a key to moving forward with our health care plan -- setting up systems that distribute the resources.

I agree with you that Remote Area Medical needs to get more attention from the media. That inspires people to get involved -- and also opens the hearts of those not aware of things like this. They got coverage on 60 minutes and in the New York Times. I am looking to see where else.

Congratulations to your son for becoming an RN! It is incredible work. Thank him for that. That would be great if he could get involved with Remote Area Medical.

Thanks for writing in.

[jennyjen]

This story was featured on Real Time with Bill Maher last night. They nailed it. The segment asked - why are the insured so angry while the under and uninsured are so quiet? Another question they asked was - why does the US need this program that was designed for third world countries?

I am in my 50's and my father supported a family of 9 on a mid level management salary. We had all the medical care we needed - including vision dental orthodontia - you name it. We even had a doctor who made housecalls. I still remember him walking the neighborhood with his black bag. Why bring multiple children to the doctor to treat the mumps or the flu when the doctor could just stop by and treat everyone in their own beds? This is still a common practice in Europe so I am not just a nostalgic middle aged woman.

So glad to hear that Remote Area Medical is fully staffed. I just wish they could expand this program. The need is so great. It should be available in every major city. Wonderful for Los Angeles and Virginia - but much more is needed. I wonder how many people did not attend the Los Angeles event because of the cost of childcare -or they were afraid of losing their jobs - or because they were too ill to wait in those long long lines.

Just heartbreaking.

[QOTW]

"As we continue in this health care debate, I wonder if it is possible to shift the very basis of the way we think - from one where we compete and fight for what seem like "scarce" resources, to one where we realize that there actually are enough resources and that we just need to look at how we allocate them so we can help one another"
The entire system is broken, from top to bottom. Nothing had been done in the previous 8 years to shift the very basis of the way we think, no effort was made to re-allocate our sufficient resources more effectively. Healthcare reform is being actively undermined by the the same people who sat idly by for the 2 previous terms as the system crumbled before their very eyes, the same people who now persist burying their collective heads in the sand because they wrongly believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the healthcare system as it currently is.

[grinrevere]

"I wonder if it is possible to shift the very basis of the way we think - from one where we compete and fight for what seem like "scarce" resources, to one where we realize that there actually are enough resources and that we just need to look at how we allocate them so we can help one another."

There is exactly that kind of thinking and plan--it's called Expanded/Enhanced Medicare for All/Single Payer. The cost savings from eliminating the obscene waste and profits from the insurance middlemen could cover everyone--medical, dental, vision, home care, even long term care. That is what is in the HR 676 bill that will finally be debated on the house floor and voted on. Call your congress person and tell them to support HR 676 (as well as the Kucinich amendment for state's rights to enact single payer). Go to www.1payer.net to send free faxes to support the bill.

We can ALL have real healthcare as a human right---not just the right to feed insurance company coffers by being mandated to buy their defective product. 60% of bankruptcies are for medical reasons----75% of those Americans thought they HAD insurance to cover their expenses until they actually got sick.

[slobuzz]

its socialized medicine!!!!!-the poor will always & have always had free medical -just look at the lines of poor illegal immigrants in front of all univ. of calif hospitals ! sheesh

[OLDDOG65]

It is nice to see idiocy in full bloom. And you sir are not only and idiot by YOU are the
problem

[PWM]

A public option is needed because there are people the insurance companies will not cover.

And it is not socialized medicine. Your ignorance is amazing.

[camanokat]

It's not only the poor who should be concerned. Hubby and I pay $1100+ a month for coverage and still we ration our own care because the deductibles and c-pays are so high.

And slobuzz are you going to turn down social security and Medicare when you are old enough to qualify for those programs? I guess you'll never call the police or fire fighters either?