Some words on the health care crisis

Today I found the following e-mail in my inbox:

(Printed in Yukon Review, Feb. 20, 2010, by Carol Ruth)

If 45,000 people died this year as a result of terrorist attacks, Americans would respond with anger. If another 20 million were injured, citizens would march in the streets until politicians stopped the terror, retaliated, and provided care for the victims. Demands would be made for the slaughter to stop. Our fellow citizens would not die without a fight.

If 45,000 more died the following year, Congress would have long been forced by popular demand to focus on the protection of our citizens. Americans would insist Congress ignore lobbyists and concentrate on the good of the people. No expense would be spared in developing the finest fighting equipment possible; we would happily pay to train multitudes of the best fighters the world has ever seen.

If 45,000 additional people died the third year, prayer vigils would be held frequently in every city, town and village to pray to stop the madness. Every church leader would focus on the victims and demand a stop to the slaughter and pain. We would understand and share the agony of others; we would be furious if the attacks were not stopped.

If 45,000 more died in a succeeding year, anyone who said that the costs of were not worth it to put an end to the madness would be rightfully deemed a traitor. We would draw and quarter any politician who fought against the ending the pain of our fellow citizens. Those who made money off the misery of others would be called war profiteers. We would indict any politician who accepted money of anyone whose bottom line overrode the survival of the citizens.

Big events capture our attention, but the slow drawn out pain of our friends and neighbors escapes the nations undivided attention. It should be just as shocking as a terror attack that, according to Reuters, every year 45,000 Americans die due to lack of health care, most of it caused by a lack of health insurance. America may have the best health care system in the world, but it is not protecting every citizen. Millions suffer needless pain or bankruptcy because an illness wipes out everything they have and leaves them in debt for the rest of their lives. According to Business week, only about half of Americans receive medically recommended care for chronic or fatal conditions.

45,00 terrorist deaths would cause constant media attention. Yet, every twelve minutes an American dies from lack of health care, while millions more suffer in silence. Corporate owned media frequently discusses the costs of care and ignores the pain. Other industrialized countries have taken up the challenge and provided health care for all. As a result, the life expectancy in those countries is as high as 84 years, while the American life span at 78 years ranks below Bosnia.

The health care of almost everyone under age 65 is tied to their work. When someone loses his or her job through no fault of their own, that person is doubly penalized because they usually lose their health care as well. The system is also skewed when the sickest among us are the least able to hold down a job or to purchase health insurance. Health care should be separated from our work or age just as surely as defense is available to all.

Health care should be focused on healing the sick and keeping everyone well rather than the bottom line. Just as Nero fiddled while Rome burned, disaster will always strike when leaders ignore the pain and suffering and focus instead those who only worry about their personal gain.

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How can people just ignore the pain and suffering, and yes, death, that results from embracing the status quo? Powerful monied interests are deceiving the public on the subject of health care.