Let me suggest to my fellow MD that this is a very small-n study, with strong heartstring tugs, yes, but little objectivity or understanding, which is ultimately designed present a naive political - not medical - opinion of the most damagingly left-wing sort.
Let me also suggest that there is no obstacle to this doctor paying out of his own pocket for treatment for people he sees.
Let me also suggest that there is no obstacle to this doctor starting a charity that targets medical professions and the rest of the healthcare industry for VOLUNTARY donations to support care for the indigent.
Instead, this doctor spends his time writing a propaganda article for a rag which, while prestigious as can be due to leftist media hype, is put out by an organization so left-wing that only 17% of MDs chose to join. His solution is to take money and freedom from the citizenry at large - at the point of guns, and under the boots of thugs and the watchful eyes of spy agencies - to do what he won’t do or try to do himself.
Coward with a cause.
re: “Let me also suggest that there is no obstacle to this doctor starting a charity that targets medical professions and the rest of the healthcare industry for VOLUNTARY donations to support care for the indigent.”
I totally agree with you on this. Christian missionary organizations build hospitals, fund and provide medical personnel and medicine to villages and people groups worldwide (when allowed to by local governments).
Why cannot this be done in our own nation? Now that I think about it, this probably IS already being done here.
I agree that the story tore my heart out, but the author’s answer is “universal healthcare”?? Is there no other option? I just do not believe so. I do not want government control over our healthcare nor do I want people who cannot afford it to be left to die in the streets - these two options seem to be how the question is framed.
But, I do not accept that framing of the question.
Excellent post. Thank you.