One Story About Healthcare – Part II

     People tend to think about healthcare as a necessity when a serious illness arises. There are however times when having it can prevent something minor becoming serious. This not only eliminates pain, discomfort, or something debilitating, but it also cuts the cost that arise from having treatment or surgery.   I had an experience last year that illustrates this point.

     I started having mild back pain after the birth of my second child.  I chalked it up to carrying and lifting an infant, plus a 2 year old.   Loads of laundry and bags of groceries reinforced this in my mind  as the  probable cause.  5 years later, the pain grew to an intensity that was no longer tolerable.  I couldn’t sit for long periods of time, I had trouble getting in and out of the car, and getting comfortable enough to sleep was impossible.   I reached the end of my rope when I couldn’t walk without feeling intense pain.  I waited until the Christmas holidays were over and went to the doctor.

      I was sent for and X-ray which revealed something but they couldn’t tell exactly what.   To get a clearer picture, I needed an MRI.   By now my head was swimming with thoughts of the worst.  With all my past medical issues, I never experienced pain.   I prepared myself to hear the bad news.   It turned out I had a herniated disc.  What?  Me?  I never in a million years ever thought I would have a problem with my back.  The physical therapist informed me that disks start to compress after the age of 30.  Throw in the fact that I had late pregnancies, and the fact that this occurred was not surprising.   The good news was that it was likely treatable.  If not, surgery would be an option.

      The insurance company approved 5 therapy sessions to start.  I still had pain after the 5 appointments, so the therapist applied for 5 more.  I was a bit skeptical that the therapy was working, but after 6 treatments I started to notice a difference.  By number 10, not only was I pain-free, but I was definitely more flexible.  The therapist was wonderful and I did what was required at home.  It has been over a year now and I still have no pain.  I recognized some of the exercises as being similar to yoga poses, so I have continue to do these moves as a method of maintenance.  I also don’t lift loads that are too heavy, and bend more at the knees rather than the waist.

     There is no question in my mind that had I not gone to the doctor and sought treatment, I would be in worse shape today.  Had I waited any longer I probably would have had surgery and a longer stint of rehabilitation.   This is what having health insurance can do for people.  In ten weeks I was cured.  A year later, I still feel good.  Isn’t worth it?  Imagine all the people walking around with situations that would not exist if only they were covered.

One Story About Healthcare – Part I

    This is an election year.  One of the major issues that is analyzed and discussed every day is healthcare.   President Obama’s health care plan was approved, only to have it questioned.  The Supreme Court has determined that it is not unconstitutional, but it continues to be challenged by those who do not believe that it is a viable plan.  I don’t know enough of the specifics to make that conclusion, but I do know that something needs to be done to provide affordable healthcare options.  How do I know this?  I have a medical history that had it not been covered insurance, would have cost me approximately $250,000. 

    Anyone who has had a major illness or condition knows that it involves scans, tests, biopsies, surgeries, treatments, and many appointments.   I experienced two major medical issues in the past 17 years that required all of this, and none of it was unnecessary.  Due to good treatment and care, I am healthy and living a good life.   I had a positive attitude during each of these trials, but I wonder how I would have felt if I had to worry about payment.  Would I have received the quality of care that I experienced?  How would I have fared if I had to worry about large bills?   Would I have done as well?  I don’t think so,

    I once had a colleague who was considering going off the insurance plan at work because of the mandatory payroll deduction.  He stated that he never got sick.  I shared my costs for treatments.  His response was, “Well, when it comes to your health it is worth it.”   Sure, but how do you pay for it?  How do you get ahead in life if you are constantly being hit with expenses?   How do people with chronic conditions handle the costs?   He was among the many who don’t believe they would ever have an ongoing condition, or major illness.  A few years later, he underwent heart surgery.

   No one ever wants to become ill.  It isn’t something we envision as part of our life plan.  When it happens, we need access to quality care.  Most of us cannot afford the staggering cost of surgery, MRI’s, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, etc.  So many conditions are treatable.  If I didn’t have access to the doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, labs, and hospital personnel that all provided excellent care, there would have been only be one outcome.  Let’s just say I wouldn’t be here to write about it.

The Freedom Granted by July 4th

      The Fourth of July is here again.  People celebrate with barbecues, going to the shore, fireworks, parades, and family gatherings.   But what are we celebrating?  Do we take time to remember the meaning of the day?  It is the day when America declared its independence, but it also serves as a reminder of a value we all treasure.  Freedom.  It is a term which at times requires a refresher course regarding its meaning.   There are those who tend to forget that all Americans are granted a right to freedom.

Centuries ago, people braved the oceans to escape religious persecution.  They wanted the right to worship and follow traditions as they believed.  Why then does religion play such a part in our political elections and rulings?  If everyone has the right to worship as they see fit, how can any religion determine the social and moral standards of living of people living in this country.  As long as it abides by the law of the land, no group or individual should be told how to live their life.

The writers of our nation’s documents were wise to include the separation of church and state.   It did not stop anyone from having their own beliefs, but it ensured that those beliefs would not influence our laws.  Yet the campaigns of our candidates for public office have to tip toe around certain groups so as to not offend and lose their vote.  This is another game of politics which many can see right through.  Our leaders have to make clear their stance on issues and remember that they are representative of a nation, but any one group.

So on July 4th, remember the people from past generations who fought for freedom.  They are the colonists, the suffragettes, the civil rights leaders, and the thousands of Americans who served and gave their lives defending our freedom.  They are the people who continue to fight for equality.  Remember that we enjoy the rights and way of life that others around the world aspire to.   Every individual has the freedom to live a life that brings the greatest achievement of all.   Happiness.