Monday, August 31, 2009

more politics of health care

Recently I've read several anecdotal stories supporting the need for health care reform. And I've heard people get up in arms and misunderstand or misquote or believe propoganda from the fear mongers and there is an outcry that we don't need to change the system.

Do they really think the current health care system is working? Do they really believe the lies being spread about what has been proposed and the options? Do they really believe the current system is fair and healthy and better than what most other countries have?

Recently my partner overheard a couple of guys talking right outside our house. I don't remember all the details of the story - but it was the usual about not needing health care change, how national health care would be a disaster and people would abuse it, and so on. Then one guy said, "aw, it doesn't really matter anyway, cuz I've already got mine; I don't care."

That's what it comes down to: an attitude of "I've got mine so I don't care what you need or want." I don't know what the perfect system would be or if there is a "perfect" one; I do know that this one is not working.

Today I saw the following article - which was not intended as a commentary about health care in this country, but I think it's a good one to add to the archives on the subject. This article was triple this length, but I think I'll let this article speak for itself - and I know there will be some who will twist this to mean other than I intended. I'm glad he at least has a community to help him where our "health care" system fails.

Where's Waldo 100k winner Erik Skaggs needs your support


Erik Skaggs, 27, of Ashland, won the Where's Waldo 100k in a time of 9:11:05; but was hospitalized later that day and remains in need of medical care.

.... Erik ran and won the Where's Waldo 100 Kilometer Ultramarathon last Saturday in record time but began having medical difficulties later that day.
....
Many friends throughout the ultrarunning community have already asked how they can help. One of Erik's biggest concerns is the mounting medical bill. Erik does not have health insurance. He may be eligible for some assistance through his membership with USA Track and Field, but will no doubt require monies for the deductible and for the expected costs well above the coverage. An Ashland runner and friend of Erik's has opened a bank account at Umpqua Bank in Ashland, Oregon to receive donations that will be used to help defray these medical expenses.

If you are interested in reading the rest of the article, you can do it on the Run Oregon blog on the OregonLive website.

Picture of Erik Skagg from UltraRunning Online