This is my daughter's piece on her brother. We also lost 2 other boys who had heart attacks and no health insurance. They were 44 and 47. Until you lose someone for this reason it probably isn't important. They died, including David (the story) within 7 years of each other. I wonder if healthcare professionals had to live with this, if they would reconsider their negative, bias approach and work on getting something positive done.
I am the youngest of the family of this peace. My sister said it best and I am very proud of her. Our brother Frank died only a few years after David. Frank went to the doctor after David died and wanted to have a complete check up. The doctor told him "Yes they did detect something, but because he was uninsured they would not do more testing." He died about a year later. I work in the healthcare system and I can not even begin to think of looking someone in the face and saying "Yes you are sick,but I am not going to help you because you can't afford it." That is crazy. We are all worth the best of care at any cost.
I ran this story last week on our daily magazine and we are still getting inquiries about it this week. Listeners have said that they really appreciated hearing this personal story. Many wanted to share the story with people they knew in other cities.
I paired it with a harder news story with a dollars and sense perspective on the healthcare debate.
I am one of the very lucky Americans who have great health insurance. As a federal employee living in the Washington-Baltimore area, I not only have about 3/4 of my premium picked up by my employer (indirectly, the taxpayers of the U.S.A.), but I have a choice of health care insurance options. I picked Blue Cross, because I happen to have a chronic illness, rheumatoid arthritis. I have tried to not only follow doctor's orders, but to take good care of myself, but am also reaching an age where I have high cholesterol. Long story short - I am one of the moderate users in my insurance plan. I'm grateful to the people who are paying premiums, and not using as much as I must. I also don't run to see the doctor for every little thing. But that's part of the problem. Lots of people do - run to see the doctor for every little thing. And they demand every single test, and the medication they saw on TV.
I am in favor of universal health care coverage - of some things. That is what is missing from the debate. EVERYONE living in the U.S.A. should have a basic physical, access to vaccinations, well-baby care, and as we age, some basic screening. But should everyone have free OTC drugs for mild allergies? NO. We all need to come together to demand a government-financed option. This option would, of necessity, contract with privately-owned medical practices, pharmacies, and testing facilitities to provide us with the care we need.
My heart goes out to you, Sally, Sallee, and Nancy. I just want you to know that I am one of the insured who does understand. Maybe because I need my health insurance. I use it every day when I take my prescription medication that keeps me healthy enough to work.
Thank you for sharing this tragic story. Unfortunately, people can never relate to this kind of loss unless they or someone they love falls victim and suffers from the same.
Comments for Healthcare and the Death of David
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5 comments
Sally Scarff
Posted on September 02, 2009 at 06:13 PM | Permalink
A Mother Knows
This is my daughter's piece on her brother. We also lost 2 other boys who had heart attacks and no health insurance. They were 44 and 47. Until you lose someone for this reason it probably isn't important. They died, including David (the story) within 7 years of each other. I wonder if healthcare professionals had to live with this, if they would reconsider their negative, bias approach and work on getting something positive done.
Sallee Scarff-Muehlbauer
Posted on September 07, 2009 at 08:01 PM | Permalink
We are all worth healthcare at any cost.
I am the youngest of the family of this peace. My sister said it best and I am very proud of her. Our brother Frank died only a few years after David. Frank went to the doctor after David died and wanted to have a complete check up. The doctor told him "Yes they did detect something, but because he was uninsured they would not do more testing." He died about a year later. I work in the healthcare system and I can not even begin to think of looking someone in the face and saying "Yes you are sick,but I am not going to help you because you can't afford it." That is crazy. We are all worth the best of care at any cost.
Megan Sukys
Posted on September 22, 2009 at 07:53 PM | Permalink
Much Listener Gratitude
I ran this story last week on our daily magazine and we are still getting inquiries about it this week. Listeners have said that they really appreciated hearing this personal story. Many wanted to share the story with people they knew in other cities.
I paired it with a harder news story with a dollars and sense perspective on the healthcare debate.
Ginny McCaskey
Posted on September 14, 2009 at 09:56 PM | Permalink
I have Health Insurance, but I agree with you
I am one of the very lucky Americans who have great health insurance. As a federal employee living in the Washington-Baltimore area, I not only have about 3/4 of my premium picked up by my employer (indirectly, the taxpayers of the U.S.A.), but I have a choice of health care insurance options. I picked Blue Cross, because I happen to have a chronic illness, rheumatoid arthritis. I have tried to not only follow doctor's orders, but to take good care of myself, but am also reaching an age where I have high cholesterol. Long story short - I am one of the moderate users in my insurance plan. I'm grateful to the people who are paying premiums, and not using as much as I must. I also don't run to see the doctor for every little thing. But that's part of the problem. Lots of people do - run to see the doctor for every little thing. And they demand every single test, and the medication they saw on TV.
I am in favor of universal health care coverage - of some things. That is what is missing from the debate. EVERYONE living in the U.S.A. should have a basic physical, access to vaccinations, well-baby care, and as we age, some basic screening. But should everyone have free OTC drugs for mild allergies? NO. We all need to come together to demand a government-financed option. This option would, of necessity, contract with privately-owned medical practices, pharmacies, and testing facilitities to provide us with the care we need.
My heart goes out to you, Sally, Sallee, and Nancy. I just want you to know that I am one of the insured who does understand. Maybe because I need my health insurance. I use it every day when I take my prescription medication that keeps me healthy enough to work.
Lucia Covelli
Posted on September 12, 2009 at 08:41 AM | Permalink
Thank you
Thank you for sharing this tragic story. Unfortunately, people can never relate to this kind of loss unless they or someone they love falls victim and suffers from the same.