American Healthcare
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008Okay…I will start this post by paying tribute to my Grandfather, who passed away earlier this week. He was a very kind man who, along with my Grandmother, raised a hell of a good family. I want to thank him for taking me to see a million movies when I was a kid and I am glad I got to see him earlier this week before he was gone. He is missed already by me and my family.
As for this post, since I usually have something political to say, I will say this. Although it seemed that the people of Kaiser Permanente had good intentions in caring for my Grandpa this last week, I can’t help but be skeptical about whether he received the best care now and over the past few years. It seems that too many of our healthcare decision are based on money and financial influence, rather than what is the best treatment and how people can achieve optimal wellness.
First off, you can never trust that you are being given all of the tests that you should be. If a test is expensive and they “think” they know your situation within 75% accuracy, they won’t approve expensive tests. My father was bed-ridden for weeks earlier this year with excrutiating back pain and they would simply not approve the tests that could help narrow down his problem. He probably spent considerably more time in pain, missing work, while doctors guessed at what was wrong.
Second, nearly every day that my Grandfather was in the hospital over the past few years, mostly with heart related conditions, he was served meals with red meat and other salty or cholesterol heavy foods. This infuriates me to no end. In fact, my cousin works at a hospital here in Sacramento and says that their “nutritionist” weighs about 400 pounds. What in God’s name are these people thinking? When are people and, even more importantly Doctors, going to recognize the impact that diet has on wellness? Why do doctors wait until people already have terrible heart and other conditions before recommending lower sodium diets? Plain and simple, most disease is caused by what we put in our bodies. If people ate more vegetables and less processed food, we would have a healthier life and planet - period. Why is it that doctors are constantly recommending medicines and not better diet?
Third, this last week, my Grandfather’s liver failed. Once it did, Kaiser changed his status to “Comfort Care”. Basically, this means they will no longer treat him or try to help him at all, other than to administer pain relievers and try to make sure he passes away comfortably. Whether this was the best option or not we will never know. The reality is, because of the track record of Kaiser and most HMO plans, and other American healthcare policies, you can’t help but question whether this is the best option or they simply do not want to absorb the cost of the expensive treatments my Grandfather needed. If he needed expensive medicines, an extended stay or a transplant, would they do this for a 65 year old man with ongoing problems? Anyone who has experienced American healthcare is probably capable of questioning their motives.
At any rate, my Grandfather suffered a lot over the past few years and, although I am super sorry to see him go, I am hopeful that he is experiencing a more comfortable existence now. I am appreciative of the way that Kaiser tried to be mindful of my family’s comfort and needs this week, despite my concerns. I am proud of my family for their strength and I am glad that we all came together to help each other through this. I only hope that one day, the care of our sick and our elderly will be top priority, over money and all else. If you are reading this, please put healthcare reform at or near the top of your list of important social and political issues. Our friends and families deserve the best possible treatment for all they might encounter.
Much love to everyone.
-Joey Flores
The Capitalist Hippie Complex
www.CapitalistHippie.com
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