Health Insurance in America--The Status Quo Must Go!
Recently, I was reflecting about the fact that 46 million Americans are currently without health insurance. Just who are these people?
In my office we see many people without health insurance, and often these are not the poorest of the poor. Many of our patients who are poor qualify for Medicaid, and have at least some access to health care services. (This is far from perfect, which we will discuss at some later time.) It seems the "working poor"--those that make just enough to not qualify for medicaid, but whose employers do not offer much in the way of benefits--are the most at risk. I recently heard a talk that by the year 2024 no employer will offer health care benefits to their employees, that's at the present rate of employers dropping their health plans due to cost. We are in crisis, but no one seems to be talking or doing much about it!
Another group are those who don't understand how to work through the system or for whatever reason, don't cooperate with the system. Have you ever tried to keep track of the ever changing face of requirements? Just when you think you've got it figured out you realize things have changed again. In our neighborhood we spend an incredible amount of time keeping track of people. Their addresses change, their phones are disconnected, and on and on. They often think they have benefits but find out they've been canceled when they arrive at the office; then what do you do. Their cancellation notice went to some address that is now ancient history. What happens when they need medicine? Can you say go your way brother, be warm and well fed, we'll pray for you? That's not good enough! In most places these people never get beyond the receptionist! They usually end up in some ER further complicating the clogged system!
Then there are those who just "slip through the cracks", such as the 8-month-pregnant woman who came to Albany from New Jersey to avoid a domestic violence situation and has no health plan. We also have a number of patients who are in the country illegally. Some might think these people shouldn't get care because of their immigration status, but I took an oath to care for all people. Even those in prison receive some form of health care.
These are all people! They laugh, they cry, they hurt, they bleed, they have families, at least the more fortunate ones, they are like you and me! The uninsured are not only in the inner city, we just see a lot more of them here. We cannot just drive to the suburbs and pretend it isn't there just because you can't see it from there. If we really love humanity, then we better do something about it! The clock is ticking on our society, and God is watching. What are you going to tell Him when He asks " what have you done for the least of these my brothers?"
The status quo must go!!! Write me and tell me your ideas.
Dr. Bob
In my office we see many people without health insurance, and often these are not the poorest of the poor. Many of our patients who are poor qualify for Medicaid, and have at least some access to health care services. (This is far from perfect, which we will discuss at some later time.) It seems the "working poor"--those that make just enough to not qualify for medicaid, but whose employers do not offer much in the way of benefits--are the most at risk. I recently heard a talk that by the year 2024 no employer will offer health care benefits to their employees, that's at the present rate of employers dropping their health plans due to cost. We are in crisis, but no one seems to be talking or doing much about it!
Another group are those who don't understand how to work through the system or for whatever reason, don't cooperate with the system. Have you ever tried to keep track of the ever changing face of requirements? Just when you think you've got it figured out you realize things have changed again. In our neighborhood we spend an incredible amount of time keeping track of people. Their addresses change, their phones are disconnected, and on and on. They often think they have benefits but find out they've been canceled when they arrive at the office; then what do you do. Their cancellation notice went to some address that is now ancient history. What happens when they need medicine? Can you say go your way brother, be warm and well fed, we'll pray for you? That's not good enough! In most places these people never get beyond the receptionist! They usually end up in some ER further complicating the clogged system!
Then there are those who just "slip through the cracks", such as the 8-month-pregnant woman who came to Albany from New Jersey to avoid a domestic violence situation and has no health plan. We also have a number of patients who are in the country illegally. Some might think these people shouldn't get care because of their immigration status, but I took an oath to care for all people. Even those in prison receive some form of health care.
These are all people! They laugh, they cry, they hurt, they bleed, they have families, at least the more fortunate ones, they are like you and me! The uninsured are not only in the inner city, we just see a lot more of them here. We cannot just drive to the suburbs and pretend it isn't there just because you can't see it from there. If we really love humanity, then we better do something about it! The clock is ticking on our society, and God is watching. What are you going to tell Him when He asks " what have you done for the least of these my brothers?"
The status quo must go!!! Write me and tell me your ideas.
Dr. Bob
posted by J. John Kwon at 6:14 AM
19 Comments:
Dr. Bob, Loved to hear of your work. I'm an RN in NY State here (about 2 hrs west of you). Would love to participate in helping with time, if you can use a nurse, or by "adopting" some of your people in need. Have always been pulled towards Africa, so I'd love to join one of your missions to there. Thanks, for your care...Sue Donegan
I loved the story in People about Dr. Bob. I'd love to be of assistance. Sue
I am one of the uninsured in the suburbs. Due to a disability I hide for fear of being fired I can't work enough to get benefits through employment.I took myself off disability voluntarily to try and contribute again. I wish there was a Dr Bob in my part of the US.(southeast US)What you do is trully outstanding!
Hey Guys, Thank you so much for sharing your hearts, best wishes, and stories. I am really encouraged by the generosity and courage that I have just read from you. I can be reached at 518 689-0282 I need all the help I can get. Next Africa trip July-Aug. '07. God bless you! Dr Bob
Dr Bob, Bless you for what you do. I work in the healthcare field in the billing department. Too often I see the effects of lack of healthcare for those who have no insurance and can't afford it.
I am not sure what the solution to our healthcare problem is but I agree that something needs to happen. There are a lot of people suffering b/c they can't afford healthcare.
God bless you and your family for what you are doing.
Dear Dr. Bob:
This is the first time I am posting a comment on the web. I was very touched by the article that was published in the PEOPLE magazine, which contains a good summary of the fantastic work you do. Please keep it up, and rest assured, I will help you in any way I can. God bless!
Best,
Deepak
Dr Bob-
I was reading People magazine this evening while I was getting my hair done at the salon. I was very moved by your story and your humanitarian efforts, etc. Feeling very lucky that I pay nothing for my health insurance and at the same time, spending $200 to get my hair done. I will be matching the money I spent on my hair to donate your cause..I will give more in the future. Continue your good work.
Erin, Dayton OHIO
What a great spirit you have doctor bob. I seen you on good morning america, and was over whelmed with your spirit and soul.
what a great show when I seen you on Good Morning America, what a great soul and comforting you have.
Dear Dr. Bob, God bless you!!!
I am one of those uninsured in the suburbs. My husband pastors a very small church and I work too but without insurance. Our younger child still qualifies for state child health insurance (for which I'm grateful).
You are one of the few who understands what God said about doing it unto the least of these. He will reward you greatly in heaven!
Blessings to you! Merry Christmas!
Carolyn
I work for an insurance company and I can honestly say that I feel horrable for doing so. There are a million and one ways for them to deny a valid claim for the sake of delaying payment or with the hopes that it will go un-noticed long enough that they will no longer have to pay it legally. Everyday I go above and beyond to try to help people I know need it who call in. I would hope that this country would begin a national healthcare program soon. For profit health care insurers are ruining the quality of healthcare in this country. I work for an insurance company but I have no benefits and I make too much to qualify for medicaid. I only make 26G a year and I have two kids I support on my own. There has got to be a better way.
I have a son,(32 years old) that has found himself sick and without insurance. Long story short,hurt his back over a long period of time. He could not continue his job anymore due to this back trouble but yet could not pinpoint the problem or how it happened. A few days later, shoulder and arm pain was so intense. We have been to emergency room 4 times, walk in clinics, health center, but orthopedic Dr's. will not see him because of no insurance. There is a lot more to this story that is so sad. Needless to say, we can't get any help because of this insurance problem. I have paid for everything (all my savings) as we have went but most dr's will not agree to see him. We are going to a Chiropractor now and he agrees he needs to be seen by a specialist. He thinks he has a torn muscle in the shoulder. He himself has tried to get him in with 7 orthopedic dr's and has been turned down. We have offered to pay them up front, offered a credit card and they still say no. On top of the shoulder problem, through going to the health center, they discovered he has hepatitis c through blood test. The health center says the shoulder is out of their expertise. I think it is so sad that we have americans who are in a position like this and cannot get health care. We are in our 9th week of this and don't know where to turn. My son has since moved in with us, because he can't work due to arm. I honestly don't know where to turn. I wish we had a Dr. Bob here in Dalton, Ga. God Bless you! Any advice?scrapbooker47@yahoo.com
I also work for an insurance compnay and over the past year have come to see that there is a problem with health care. Those who are lucky enough to have health coverage through an employer may not be any better than the unisured. There are such strict guidelines to each policy and the insurance company doesnt want to pay anything. A family member left there job because by the time they paid for child care and insurance there was no paycheck left. There children are now covered by the state plan but they can not get coverage because the spouse works. They were sick and the doctor suspected Lyme disease and she had to pay 450 up front for the test. If I had the same test done the lab would have been paid a fraction of that by the insurance, so why do the uninsured have to make up the difference why cant it be one standard price and thats what they are paid. I thought we were working towards getting coverage to every one in NY. The company I work for keeps announcing its plans on how they plan on covering the unisured. The details are sketchy but my bet is it will either cost a lot or cover nothing. Aren't routine physicals preventative medicine then why dont insurance companies want to pay to keep people healthy. My mothers health plan will not cover flu shots so she has to pay 60 and for me they were paid 40. Thankfully they offer insurance which was great this year, but for 2007 I will have a 2,000 deductable and pay 20% of all charges. There reasoning behind this is so we can become good consumers and shop around for the best price. I don't choose my doctors by what they charge but how they treat me and my confidence in them. There is a real problem with health care and I am not sure how we can start fixing it but there are problems every where from the amount charged for services and prescriptions, to the helath insurance compnaies becoming or non involved doctors. If anyone has any ideas or is starting anything email me at Dheathhelp@aol.com
Dr. Bob,i was so touched by your story on GMA,you are truly an angel! There are not too many doctors like you who truly care for their patients. May God Bless you & your family!!
Dr Bob, as an ER nurse in a "one hospital community" I see so many of the underserved and uninsured. We have a system in which people are caught with no options. I go to work daily with the hope that a better system will come along. I want to encourage you in the work you are doing. God bless you and your family for giving so much.
Can someone please send me some information about a "good" health insurance plan. I think I can finally afford one, but I don't want to waste my money. I have serious dental issues too. I have only seen a dentist once in my life. My email is needsomehealthinsurance@yahoo.com
I found an excellent prescription discount card at www.rxdrugcard.com. It's only $4.95 for a discount card that covers all the prescriptions for the whole family. After that little membership fee you pay a discounted price at the drugstore and they have those prices on the website to check before you enroll.
Dr. Bob and Leane,
I don't know if you remember us, but Ben was one year ahead of you at Albany Med and we were in CMDS together back then. You invited us over to your house many times and we have fond memories with your family...Ben is in the Navy and we happen to be enroute on a cross-country move/road trip from Florida to WA State, where he will be deployed on a ship to the Middle East. Ben has to attend a conference in the Boston, so we (our family with 4 kids ages 5-13 years old) decided to spend a couple days in the Albany area next week Tuesday evening and Wednesday, departing Thursday morning May 13-15, 2008.
We know you are very busy but we were just wondering if you might have time to meet briefly during our Albany visit? We would love to take you out for lunch, dinner, or even just a quick cup of coffee?
It's so encouraging to hear about your wonderful ministry. We're hoping we can catch up with you a bit...Thanks so much,
Vicki and Ben Lee
A study by the Institute of Medicine, tha basis for the Family USA report, found that uninsured adults are 25 percent more likely to die prematurely than adults with private health insurance. Another academic study found that lack of health insurance is the third leading cause of death, following heart disease and cancer, for uninsured adults between the ages of 55 and 64.
While the percentage of uninsured, working age (25-64) people in the South reported by Families USA in 2006 (20.5%) is similar to overall U.S. percentage of uninsured in the same age group reported by the U.S. Census (19.9%), several Southern states have a significantly higher percentage of uninsured.
For example, the Families USA report found that Louisiana had the highest rate of uninsured among working people at 26.2%. Florida (25.3%), Arkansas (23.2%), and Mississippi (22.1%) also exceeded the regional and national rates. Virginia (15.1%) and West Virginia (16.5%) are well below the regional and national rates.
Other state reports from around the South on the percentage of uninsured working age people include Alabama (20.1%), Georgia (19.7%), Kentucky (19.0%), North Carolina (21.1%), South Carolina (19.7%), and Tennessee (18.3%).
The U.S. Census report shows that the South has the highest percentage of uninsured overall, 19.0%, as compared to 11.4% in the Midwest, 12.3% in the Northeast, and 17.9% in the West.
When you add it all up, there are nearly 8.5 million working age people in the South without health insurance. Even more disturbing, the Families USA report attributes nearly 52,000 premature deaths to lack of health insurance in these states between 2000 and 2006.
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