It’s not that they don’t know how to pay. They don’t think they should have to pay and know they’ll get free care regardless. Don’t neighborhood health centers give free care even without Medicaid? The sad part is that paying even $1 helps people to be more responsible and accountable. Over time, as they do more for themselves, it can lead to a better life.
The welfare-state enablers who paint people as victims aren’t doing them any favors. Years ago, I saw a report about a program at a large hospital that took people from welfare and started them out working in the kitchen. After they’d demonstrated their good performance on the job, they were asked to choose where in the hospital they’d like to pursue a career. They interviewed this woman who looked in her 30s and had decided to pursue nursing. She was on the floor with the doctors and other staff. You could tell she was respected, needed, and very well suited to her job.
She spoke of how much better she felt about life and how happy she was that she could be an inspiration to her kids. This woman likely went on to earn additional credentials within nursing, all paid for by the hospital. Forgive my long-windedness, but I’ve never understood why people see these very light requirements as a bad thing.
Well said.