Healthcare Debated For Real

  • Sunday, September 24, 2017

Healthcare is never debated for real until one of us needs healthcare and quickly. I thought what I was experiencing was a stroke. Lost nearly complete control of one side of my body. Ignored it. Thought it only a pinched nerve. Went to my chiropractor the next day for my usual "adjustment." Dr. Lewis, my chiropractor, noticed my facial distortion, left side, and suggested that I leave and go immediately to the hospital emergency on Gunbarrell. I drove myself and admitted myself. I was still not worried, but just a little.

Admission to the hospital and a series of three heart, brain examinations on technology that costs literally millions. The staff at Erlanger, expert medical folk, discovered not a stroke but damaging effects from high blood pressure. The MRI showed a stroke years ago.  

What will all this cost? Let me suggest, roughly $6,000?  Some people can write a check. Many of us cannot. I cannot. I depend on health insurance. For those that think healthcare is not important I urge those complainers to find out for themselves the cost of healthcare by needing a healthcare intervention.  

The GOP, and one brave soul, John McCain, have said no to the latest charade of healthcare legislation. The GOP must be made up of either very wealthy people that can self pay or people that have lost their way of helping mankind.  It is distressing to read those that oppose good medical care and instead point fingers, accusing those that suggest healthcare for all as socialists. They use the words as a weapon hoping to harm the believers. It doesn't.

We all know that healthcare is probably as close to a right as is breathing. The Dems had the right heart in place with the ACA but so flawed was it and the GOP found ample ammunition to oppose. Oh woe, the complainers were legion and rightfully acknowledged their concerns at the cost of insuring self or family. Did the GOP suggest repairing the ACA? Oh, mercy, heavens no. They felt the only way was to repeal and try they did how many times?  Even some of the hard-hearted GOP "benchers" said no over and over again. Could it be that even the GOP sees that  health care is necessary? I think so or better, I hope so for the country's sake.  

Robert Brooks

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