"No, I'm not a farmer and I don't go to church. Why do you ask..?"
Posted on 09/13/2017 3:25:05 PM PDT by Ennis85
Sarai was 25 years old when she died of Wilson’s disease, an inherited disorder that causes liver failure. A liver transplant could have cured her, but she was uninsured and was denied an appointment at two prominent Chicago transplant hospitals, including my own. Sarai’s plight was brought to my attention when a local religious group held a hunger strike advocating transplant access for Sarai and other uninsured patients. When she died, her congregation marched seven miles, holding her photograph and lugging coffins emblazoned with her name, to launch a sit-in in front of Northwestern University Hospital. Her death certificate named liver disease as her cause of death, but that’s not true. The real cause was inequality. If the United States had a Medicare-for-all health insurance system, she might have been saved.
In nearly 40 years as a doctor, I witnessed time and again how inequality kills. Those without health insurance, such as Sarai (there are almost 30 million in the country), often cannot access the most basic care, let alone complex specialty care. But the problem is more serious than a simple lack of health insurance. What insurance card you hold can literally be a matter of life and death.
Consider how our current multi-payer health insurance system affects hospitals, clinics and patients. I have practiced at three hospitals along a two-mile strip of Ogden Avenue in Chicago. I spent 17 years at Cook County Hospital, now the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, rising from intern to chief of general medicine. When I practiced at Cook County Hospital, it was largely a hospital for the uninsured. Despite many improvements, largely because of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, many services, such as screening colonoscopies and hip replacements, are still beyond reach for patients and their doctors.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Today the left wants to abort those who are likely to be born with defects. That’s their cost savings technique.
Can someone point out one physician (outside a special splinter group) who doesn’t watch their patients die?
I’ve been on “single-payer” pretty much my whole life. You won’t like it.
"No, I'm not a farmer and I don't go to church. Why do you ask..?"
This lowlife Ansell pimping his own parents’ death for government deathcare is just as low as one can go.
A Doctor lecturing us on taking care of the poor — that’s rich.
Why didn’t the congregation take up a collection for Sarai? Why didn’t this doctor donate money and time and take up a collection among his peers and co-workers. Perhaps settle for older BMWs and smaller boats, local vacations, etc.
I guess her congregation couldn’t have an event to raise the money......
Our daughter was recently declared disabled from a Tylenol overdose and hence eligible for a Liver Transplant. Unfortunately, the Federal Government made the determination eight years after she was eligible and a;most two years after she died. Yeah, Government Health Care is really great.
But he does seem to be a ditto-head!
How about, before she died, the congregation found a way to work and earn the money for a doctor?
As if “Sara” would have gotten a liver transplant from Britain’s NHS.
Why what a coincidence. That is the same number of illegal bloodsuckers in this country. My, my, my.
Anyone want to bet if you asked this assclown his opinion on immigration he would be all in for amnesty, and open/no borders?
With single payer you can watch them die waiting to see a doctor.
Cubans have watched them and their family die of poverty for a generation. It’s time to kill socialism!
More emotive nonsense and lies from collectivists
More emotive nonsense and lies from collectivists
I’m sorry for your loss
A single payer favorable story on the same day that the liberals have launched their new single payer talking points campaign.
I'm sure we will see many more in the days ahead.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.