Sunday, August 31, 2008

What Keeps Me Up at NIght

In Mexico, when we toast we say "Salud, Amor y Pesetas," which translates to "Health, Love and Wealth," always said in that exact order.  The order of the words is particularly telling because without your health, you cannot enjoy either love or wealth, and without love, wealth can become empty.  In fact, the toast usually becomes shortened to simply "Salud," a wish that is also echoed in France, and even an Israel, where people toast "to Life."  It is no accident that health is one of the few universal issues which binds all of humanity together.  It is also no accident that one of the major issues facing our country as our presidential election comes closer is our nation's healthcare.  

Since I started this journey I have spent many nights laying awake, wondering what all the uninsured people in this country do when they are diagnosed with cancer or any other disease that requires long-term, expensive treatment.  Now luckily I'm a girl with resources.  I have a good job with good benefits, and a family who would support me even if I didn't have the good job with good benefits.  But the reality is that many people in this country face financial ruin and potentially lesser care when diagnosed with cancer.  In fact, statistics show that the uninsured have around a 50% greater chance of dying from cancer than those who are insured.  This means that many people could have survived had they had access or finances for better care.  It also may reflect the fact that the uninsured do not get diagnosed until later stages because they do not take advantage of early screening processes and consistent medical care. Whatever the case, this statistic means that people are not receiving basic preventative care and potentially dying unnecessarily in a country housing one of the best medical systems in the world.  This frankly makes my stomach turn.

Another statement that continues to echo through my head is what my OBGYN told me the day she broke the news that I had cancer.  I remember sitting in her office, just waiting for her to tell me my fate (which I had already guessed... doctors never ask you to come into t.heir office to tell you good news), when she said, "Well, the bad news is that it's cancer.  The good news is that you're in New York."  Does this mean that everyone else in the country is out of luck?  Now obviously this isn't the case, but when you start thinking that some people have to drive upwards of two hours to their nearest oncologist, and even people who have insurance can't get appointments for months before getting an initial consultation... well, I'll let you do the math.  

Now, I am not so naive to think that fixing these problems is an easy task.  In fact, at this moment, I am not convinced that any of the proposals being offered by our presidential candidates are viable solutions, especially in light of all the issues this country is presently facing.  That said, the discussion needs to be had, and in order to obtain a solution that maintains both the quality of our healthcare system and ensures that every citizen has access to basic care, we must participate in the discussion.  For now, our strongest voice can be heard at the ballots in November.  Whatever your vote, I hope that everyone who is eligible makes themselves heard.  In the meantime, I will toast to all of your health and hope that you will joining me also toasting to the health of our communities, no matter what your culture, language or nationality.

Thank you as always for reading.

Straight from the trenches,

DT

Thanks again for reading.

Straight from the trenches,

DT 

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