by Cecilia Escamilla-Greenwald
David and I had plans for a Saturday night date. We’ve both been so busy that we thought it would be nice to have dinner and watch a movie at home. David has been so busy with the Vanguard and the California Progress Report and I’ve been so busy working day and night on a campaign for work that has allowed me no days off for a week. David’s back had been bothering him a bit over the last couple of days, but we figured he would feel better by Saturday and we would then be able to have dinner together on a date night. That was our plan, but like any plan that can be modified, amended or broken this one was.
Yes, we planned for a night together at either Katmandu eating some delicious Saag Chana Masala with some warm, tasty naan or enjoying some falafel accompanied by a tasty salad sprinkled with balsamic vinaigrette and a side of basmati rice at the newly renovated Cafe Mediterranee. We could then watch a movie at home and just relax. Ah yes, it was going to be a night of relaxation after an especially busy week. It was going to be a date night, time to spend together with the love of my life and just enjoy each others company, but we didn’t think our date night would end up being at Sutter Davis ER with David sipping water instead of Diet Coke and eating crackers that helped curb the nausea and allowed him to take the medication the doctor gave him. No, that was not our plan for a romantic evening, but it was a night that helped me to appreciate evermore the access to quality healthcare that David and I have. It was a night that I met some people in ER who are going to be paying for their visit over the duration of the next year. It was a night that I once again realized that healthcare reform needs to happen sooner rather than later. Actually, it was a night that I realized that healthcare reform really needs to happen now.
David was diligent about following the doctor’s orders, but his condition worsened. I called him throughout the day to check on his status and each time he felt and sounded worse. I knew we would have to postpone our dinner plans since he was still not feeling well. I was running errands when I got a call from David who could barely speak. He told me he felt miserable and needed me home as soon as possible. I rushed home and as soon as I entered the door he said, “We have to go to ER now. I feel horrible.” He looked pale with blushed cheeks and felt very, very warm. I helped him to the car and drove over to Sutter Davis. We went to Sutter even though we have Kaiser as our healthcare provider because David was feeling so ill that the thirty minute drive to Morse Avenue Kaiser and the two to five hour wait in ER made him more sick just thinking about it. He had to be seen right away. He could barely stand up and was feeling nauseous and in agony and getting worse. I was very concerned and scared. There was a short wait, but as always has been our experience, the nurses and doctors at Sutter were very nice and quick to respond.
While in ER there was a little girl who was brought in by her mother and for some reason was crying at the top of her little lungs and I couldn’t help but hear her family talk about the cost by saying that they had no option but to bring her in to ER regardless of the cost to their family.
There was also a woman with limited English speaking ability who had injured her hand at work. Her medical issue would be taken care of because it was an on the job injury that would be taken care of by workers compensation.
There was a man who brought his wife in and they too were concerned about the cost of their bill but knew they had no choice but to come in because of her emergency situation.
The little girl crying in pain made me think of my little grand-niece who I spoke with earlier in the day. She informed me that she and eleven other children in her 3rd grade class were sent home because they either had a cold, as she did, or the flu. She told me that the school was being cautious because they were sick. She was very fussy and said to me, “Guess what? I feel grumpy because I don’t like being sick and away from school.” I asked her if she had seen the doctor and she said that she had not because they could not afford it. I then asked to speak with her grandma (one of my sisters) right away and informed her that no matter what the cost I would take care of it. I told her to please take my niece to see the doctor as soon as possible.
Seeing all of this activity in ER made me think of the struggle that President Obama is facing right now as he attempts to get some type of healthcare reform passed. Healthcare is one of the top issues on the minds of Americans. There are contentious town hall meetings taking place all over America, blogs devoted to the subject, ads addressing the concerns of each side of the issue, and airwaves filled with stories of people going bankrupt paying for outrageous healthcare bills. People are losing their jobs, their healthcare, their homes and their dignity. This is all happening in this great country of ours that puts men and women on the moon. It’s happening in this great country of ours where researchers in California believe they have hit the jackpot in modern medical breakthroughs by possibly discovering the cure for AIDS. Why then can we not come to the realization and agreement that we need healthcare reform now not later? Why is there fear that we are all going to be forced into a government healthcare plan, when the fact is that we are not? Why is there fear that President Obama is going to “euthanize your grandma?” Why is there fear that President Obama is going to take away Veteran’s benefits with his healthcare plan? Why is there fear that government is going to take over healthcare when that is not the case? Public Option or no Public Option? The debates continue and meanwhile thousands lose their homes, their savings, or their lives daily while the debate continues as we wait for accessible, affordable healthcare.
In the end by not supporting healthcare reform it’s not “We the People” who will claim victory at the end of the day. Instead it is health insurance companies and Wall Street that will claim victory. I don’t purport to have all the answers, but I do know that we need reform and we need reform that is going to make healthcare insurance available to seniors so they don’t have to spend all of their money on prescriptions and not have money left over for food and other necessities. We need healthcare reform so that all children are covered and the Qiana’s (my grand-niece) of the world and little girls who are brought into ER don’t have to have parents or grandparents wondering how they are going to pay for their medical bills. We need healthcare reform that will ease the burden on small businesses and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less on average to cover their employees. We need healthcare reform that is accessible to people who live in rural communities. We need healthcare reform available to people with pre-existing conditions. We need healthcare reform and we need it now. There is absolutely no reason that every American should not have access to quality healthcare like David and I have. Every American should be able to go to their doctors the way we do and when the need arises go to ER. Every American should be able to fill their prescriptions without taking money from their rent or mortgage or worse yet not getting their prescription filled and becoming more ill.
After spending what I call “Our Romantic Night in ER” and having my eyes opened even more I have committed myself to helping get the word out, the real word out about the need for healthcare reform. I am writing letters, making calls, doing what I can to make healthcare for all a reality and I hope others join me.
*** For those of you who are wondering, David is doing well. I would say he is resting, but The Vanguard never rests. He asked me to write something since the medication made him sleep. I don’t know how he gets up and writes an article at 4:30 AM every morning, but I am very proud of him and amazed at his energy.
Cecilia this is a very good letter. What was the cause of David’s illness? The flu shots? Best wishes.
Dick Livingston
Cecilia:
I hope David continues to improve. Be sure you call Kaiser today — the number on the back of your card and let them know you did this. Take care. And maybe still have “data Night tonight but skip the Thai for a week or so.
Best,
BEN
The doctor believes it was the flu/pneumonia shot combo. He said that not everyone has the reaction that David had, but it just turned out that way for David this time.
He’s doing much better but feeling a little tired which is expected. It’s game day and the St. Louis Cardinals are playing so he’s up watching the game. Nothing will get in the way of a good baseball game!
Best wishes for David’s speedy recovery. One has to wonder about these flu shots though. That was a pretty severe reaction. I wonder if the flu shot was tainted?
As to healthcare reform, there are some very good reasons why people are not embracing Obama’s idea of health care reform:
1) Obama’s plan changes by the hour (slight exaggeration).
2) Obama did not do a very good job when handing out bail-out money to the banks. In consequence, we are in tons of debt as a nation, as banking execs give themselves bonuses. People see this, and are relunctant to hand out more money for a health care plan that is not well defined.
I don’t think people are objecting to health care reform as a concept. I think they are objecting to Obama’s way of going about it, which does not give specifics, and appears it will cost this country a ton of money. We need real health care reform, not just something Obama can point to as proof he kept his campaign promise.
David, hope you are better soon!
I know that your shot was not the swine flu variety. I’ve read that the swine flu shots are rushed, not properly tested. No way that I am going to let the US Pharm industry stick that experimental stuff in my family’s arms.
Last Saturday night I was in the ER at Sutter til late. My 22 month old son had a viral-induced fever of 105 F. He was better in a day or two, but I mention it because the ER MD said that swine flu is LESS serious than the normal flu. Also, the care was terrific by all the staff there. We are very very fortunate indeed to have such a terrific medical facility in our little community.
Wow, Cecilia, I am glad David is feeling better. It certainly sounds like the pain was really horrible. There is nothing like good health care coverage. I am fortunate. When I can I use Urgent Care because I am insured. I try to avoid emergency because it is crowded sometimes with the uninsured. I am absolutely sickened by the disgraceful healthcare mess. I will talk about that later when the discussion really gets going. Have a romantic time.
David, get well soon.
Cecilia, my experience with the Sutter Davis ER has been universally excellent. We are very lucky to have such high quality healthcare in Davis. Many communities don’t even have one provider as good as Sutter, UCD Medical Group, or Woodland Healthcare.
“It’s happening in this great country of ours where researchers in California believe they have hit the jackpot in modern medical breakthroughs by possibly discovering the cure for AIDS.”
We are also spending $700 bio. on eternal warfare.Since we are so worried about the cost of Health Insurance, has anyone ever thought of, or proposed to take a few billion dollars of this money for a worthwhile cause? All other great countries (or civilized societies) have Health Insurance, covering all.
In Spain’s Constitution Health Care is enshrined as a national right of each citizen. Germany has had Health Insurance since Bismarck’s days.
When T. Roosevelt wanted to introduce Health Insurance the population was frightened by the propaganda to the effect that this was a plot by the Kaiser to take over America! If I am ill in France or the UK or anywhere in Scandinavia, (I am talking from personal experience), I will be seen immediately by a physician at no cost to me.
David: I am so sorry you were so ill. Hope you are doing better and on yur way to a full recovery.
Excellent article Cecilia. This issue is so important. I don’t know why this country get it together to agree on some form of universal health care.
Get well soon, David. Sorry about the reaction to your shots, happens to many. Enjoy the game.
Very good article, Cedilia. Glad to see this is becoming one of your causes.
[i]Seeing all of this activity in ER made me think of the struggle that President Obama is facing right now as he attempts to get some type of healthcare reform passed. Healthcare is one of the top issues on the minds of Americans.[/i]
On this point I totally agree. I hope that David feels better soon, too.
Was this shot for the “regular” flu or for H1N1?
Nancy Price
It was for the regular flu. I also got the pneumonia shot. H1N1 is not available until mid-October. One thing that seems clear is I probably have an infection at the site of the shot.
Seeing all of this activity in ER made me think of the struggle that President Obama is facing right now as he attempts to get some type of healthcare reform passed. Healthcare is one of the top issues on the minds of Americans.
The bottom line is will this “health care reform” be better than what is in place now?
I don’t want “some type of reform” to get passed. I want a well- thought out plan to reform health care, that crosses all of the t’s and dots all of the i’s.
someone else said it – when Obama bailed out the banks with nearly 1 trillion dollars, fat-cat excecutives threw lavish parties as a result.
That was a trillion dollars of the peoples $ largely down the drain. Now Obama wants us to “trust him” to make major financial decisions regarding health care, which will now run into the trillions of dollars. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Why is there fear that we are all going to be forced into a government healthcare plan, when the fact is that we are not?
That is not a fact, just because Obama says so. Obama is putting forth this program as merely an “option.” What obama doesn’t say is the federal government has resources to draw upon to keep a failed program afloat that a private company cannot. Private companies must have their programs be financially viable, or risk going under. The federal govt. can raise taxes on a whim when they need to pay for something. As a result, the private industries will be pushed out of business, in which case, the only “option” you will get, is the one the government provides.
Why is there fear that President Obama is going to “euthanize your grandma?”
This is where the “death panels” argument comes in. Obama has insisted there will be no such panels. But what is in the house version, is “end-to live counseling.” Ultimately, what is this counseling? Is obama trying to assure us that these people are never going to be pressured by uncle sam into telling an elderly woman she should not opt to not have an expensive operation because the Federal govt. feels it will be too expensive to keep her alive? Uncle sam would never dream of trying to find ways to save $ the way a private company would.
I would like obama care advocates to look me in the eye with a straight face and tell me Obama has said anything specific about his own plan to begin with. All he has discussed is health care reform in abstract terms. I want obama to get specific, addressing all of the costs likely to occur as a result.
The other thing obama doesn’t tell us is that he is only going to be in charge of the program for the duration of his presidency. After he leaves office, his health care program will be in the charge of someone else. If the program starts getting too expensive, that person will have to have the program pay for itself somehow. That will include raising taxes, rationing care, or a combination of those things.
Health care is important, but I think the economy ranks higher on the totem pole.
“Health care is important, but I think the economy ranks higher on the totem pole. “
Speaking for myself, you can’t work if you’re sick. If I hadn’t had health insurance, I probably would not have gone in and who knows what would have happened.
In the end by not supporting healthcare reform it’s not “We the People” who will claim victory at the end of the day. Instead it is health insurance companies and Wall Street that will claim victory.
And forgive me, but if a multi-trillion dollar health care program gets implimented turns out to be an expensive waste of $ that makes the problem worse, “we the people” will not win there either.
I don’t want to pass health care reform just because obama needs to save face by trying to push an expensive risky endeavor down our throats to score political points with the ACLU, moveon.org, planned parenthood, and NOW. and have a dozen other special interest groups.
I don’t purport to have all the answers, but I do know that we need reform
This is key. you don’t have all of the answers! That is right! And I don’t want someone to make multi-trillion dollar decisions if they don’t know what they are doing.
What I don’t want is a health care plan that is implemented as we “go along.” This is what is going to happen. the one trillion dollars is the startup costs. When obama runs into a roadblock where more $ is needed, he will spend the necessary $. That includes raising taxes, rationing the care, or playing a shell game where $ is taken from other programs to prop up a bloated over-expensive system that doesn’t work any better than the current one.
and we need reform that is going to make healthcare insurance available to seniors so they don’t have to spend all of their money on prescriptions and not have money left over for food and other necessities.
yes we do. your point is?
I saw a bumper sticker that says it all:
“if you think health care is expensive now, just wait till its free.”
this goes to the heart of the issue. Obama gets up on tv and says he is going to give free/affordable health care to all, and he’s going to insure seniors with pre-existing conditions, he is goint to insure the poor and the disabled, and he is going to deliver the moon.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. It is one thing for obama to deliver passionate speeches about how nice it would be to deliver all of those things, its quite something else to do them. THe fact that obama has refrained from addressing the specifics of the costs up till now makes me and many patriotic americans nervous, and less likely to trust him. He only has himself to blame. He reminds me of the wizard of oz – “don’t look behind the curtain!”
As touching as this article was, we are way beyond the emotional template. Visit any ER and you will discover the most tragic circumstances. We all know it now… some people don’t have health insurance and rely on the ER for their exclusive medical care, and only when they are really sick. If they have any income or assets but lack health insurance, any serious health problem can wipe them out financially. Except for the extreme wackos on both sides, Democrats and Republicans pretty much agree that this situation sucks and should be fixed. The debate at this point should be focused on the “how”, and not the “what”.
See the bullet list at the bottom of this article http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300482236378974.html from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. These are ideas that most Americans agree with and would support.
The reason that most of these ideas are not being discussed by Congress and Obama is that they don’t fit the model of liberals’ “deserved” dream of European-style government-run healthcare. Anything less will result in an explosion of their discontent. Unfortunately for Obama, Pelosi and Reid, a win for liberals will mean an explosion of discontent for most of the rest of the country.
In eight short months, Obama has earned the label of being the most partisan President ever. He does not or cannot stand up the most extreme elements of his own party, and frequently demonizes and marginalizes regular Americans that don’t agree with him. Obama seems unable or unwilling to accept any ideas other than tax and spend big government. He promised an era of bipartisanship, yet he can’t hold a candle to even George “amnesty and prescription drug benefit” Bush. The damage and implications are larger than his presidency… because who can we trust now?
David, I’m sorry you got the bug from the flu shot. Hope you feel better soon. It happened to me last year and it was as bad, if not worse, than the real flu. I decided I will not be getting another flu shot unless/until other health problems put me in a higher risk category. They mass-produce the drug and either quality control problems exist or some of us have over-active immune systems that freak out when dead viruses are injected into our veins.
I don’t think any one individual has “all of the answers” for the health care crisis we are facing in America. It’s going to take a collaboration of minds to come up with the solution, but we cannot wait any longer.
With such an important issue I don’t believe it helps to label people as Liberals / Right, etc. The health care scare affects everyone and the sooner we can address the problems and address the “how” to implement a plan the better off we will be as a country.
I would feel safer knowing that we live in a community where people have access to quality, affordable, health care since we come in contact with people in our everyday lives at places such as synagogues, churches, schools, gyms, restaurants, libraries, grocery stores, and cafes.
I think every American should be afforded the opportunity to have access to quality health care just like David and I have.
Who knows what would have happened if we did not have that access when David had a reaction to a pneumonia shot? There are many people daily who don’t have access to quality affordable health care and I am not personally comfortable with that morally or ethically.
Some people may see this as an “emotional template” and that’s ok to have that opinion, but it is going to be “emotional” to an extent when we are talking about a person’s husband, wife, son, daughter, grandmother, grandfather, friend, or other loved one. One can’t help but have some emotional connection to the issue. It’s a fact.
After rising to office through vicious attacks on George Bush, it appears Obama has met his own Waterloo. What goes around, comes around.
With such an important issue I don’t believe it helps to label people as Liberals / Right, etc. The health care scare affects everyone and the sooner we can address the problems and address the “how” to implement a plan the better off we will be as a country.
tell that to Obama, who obviously hasn’t thought much about the how at all.
It wasn’t Clinton’s waterloo, what makes you think it will be Obama’s? There’s a reason that he did this, this year.
It wasn’t Clinton’s waterloo, what makes you think it will be Obama’s? There’s a reason that he did this, this year
because obama is pardon my french, a total retard. He hasn’t thought through one bit of his own proposal.
he has only the vaguest idea of heatlh care reform to begin with. Also, obama is trying to get this passed while the economy goes down the toilet a problem that didn’t happen for clinton.
Meanwhile, Obama is seen on vacation at Martha’s vinyard, with this arrogant swagger to his step, something that pisses ordinary americans off, especially ones that are losing their jobs.
Obama has growing up to do, and that is going to happen real quick.
With such an important issue I don’t believe it helps to label people as Liberals / Right, etc.
Maybe not, but blame the Obama administration and Democrat-controlled congress for this. They have made this the most partisan of battles. There are several good proposals from GOP congress people and all of these have been largely ignored. The reason: anything but a move toward a single-payer, government-run, healthcare system is not accepted by liberals in control of the Democrat party. Apparently, for a liberal, the absolute worst thing that could happen would be a free-market healthcare system that solves cost and access problems without a corresponding reduction in the quality and access to care.
If you don’t agree with this then blast your reps to tell them to adopt Bobby Jindal’s proposal which will do just that.