bob59's Journal

American Health Care

            Events over the past year have made me think a lot about health care in America, and the problems that exist. America is known for having the best medical facilities and professionals in the world. Many people come to America every year for specialized medical treatment; many of them are treated at little or no costs to them. In America the Federal, State and Local Governments spend Billions of dollars each year providing medical care and treatment for Illegal Aliens many of them come here just for the free medical care. In addition the Federal government spends billions each year sending Doctors, Medicine and medical equipment to other countries in the form of grants.

While all of this aid is a Nobel thing and makes our government respected world wide there is a deeper darker part to consider.

            Each year many Americans die because of lack of medical care, medicine or treatment they need. Many more do not recover to an acceptable level of independence because of the lack of proper rehabilitation treatment in a timely manner. This is not because the facilities, treatment and medicine are not available. It is because they can’t afford it and do not have insurance to cover the costs. Medical insurance is not affordable to many Americans. In my brothers case medical insurance available to him would have costs him half of his income. On top of the costs there are many other faults in the insurance and medical system. For instance; Last year was the first time my brother had to go in the hospital. He had medical insurance through his employer at the time. In April 2007 he had a stroke and was hospitalized on a Thursday. On the following Monday his employer terminated his employment and his insurance was cut off leaving us unable to pay the medical bills that were mounting. He did recover from that stroke and was able to return to work in the next few months. However the company he was working for would not take him back so he was forced into lesser employment that had no medical coverage. Insurance would have been available if he could afford it. However because of reduced wages and having to pay high premiums and co-pays he could not afford it.

            On February 5, 2008, eleven months later he had another stroke, a much more severe one. We knew his hospital and rehab would take a long time and be very expensive. I immediately applied for his disability, Medicaid and SSI and was told that because it was a stroke it would be put on hold for three months before a decision would be considered. The problem with this is that after three weeks the doctors said the best thing for him was to get into a rehab facility and out of ICU as soon as possible. However there are no rehab facilities that will take him until he has the ability to pay either through private or government funding so he will remain in the hospital in ICU until a Medicaid decision is made. And at the end of three months there is no certainty that it will be approved. I am not a financial wizard but it doesn’t more than simple math to figure out what costs less. The costs for a person in ICU are about $30,000 per month and their job is to save lives rather than rehabilitate. On the other hand the costs for a rehab facility, which my brother needs is about half that amount. I believe that the average third grader could figure out which costs less.

            I am told that the reason for the three month hold is to see if they will get better. This makes me wonder what will happen then. If he should get better his claim could be denied and he is saddled with medical bills that neither he nor any of the family could ever pay. In any event his claim could be denied and our only option would be to file an appeal which could take another three months or longer. And this is just for Medicaid which has to be approved first. After that I am told that he has to be on Medicaid for 24 months before Medicare will take over.

            This is a 53 year old man born and raised in America and has worked and paid taxes, Social Security and into Medicare since he was a teenager. Until now he has never used or even applied for any assistance, He is not asking for a free ride. He does need assistance from the government he has supported and defended for almost 40 years. I remember as a boy his favorite quote was from JFK. (“Ask not what your country can do for you, But what you can do for your country”). Well it is now time for the country to step up to the plate and do something for those who have faithfully and proudly served and defended our government all their life. I personally think it is past time!

            Every election year I hear all the political candidates talk about how we need better medical care for our citizens. I agree we are in bad need of reforms not in the medical field but in the government policies. Yet with all the talk none of the politicians seem to have the intestinal fortitude to actually step up and do something. In my opinion in order for there to be a real change in health care there must be a change in the hearts and minds of our government leaders. All Americans, especially those running for President, Senator or Congress need to remember and take to heart the quote by JFK. Do something for your country and its citizens rather than your own bank account or career.