A Surgery Long Overdue

That's the headline on an article in the Houston Chronicle today.

Two years ago, a young EMT and her cousin were riding down an Angelina County road when some bozoid pulls alongside them, shoots and kills the cousin, then shoots the EMT, mangling her arm. She's rushed to the hospital where they're able to save her arm. Truly wonderful! She has insurance at that point.

Fast forward to today. No job. No insurance. She gets a $900/month disability check, which is too much per month to receive medical care in Angelina County. In many Texas counties, if you earn $179/month as a single person, you make too much to qualify for indigent medical care. $179!!! That doesn't even cover housing and you're too wealthy to qualify for medical care?!?! OUTRAGEOUS!

For this young woman, her situation became visible due to an article on healthcare in the newspaper. It touched the heart of people with resources in the medical community, and yesterday she received the long delayed surgery to complete the repairs that were started after she was shot.

The original surgery was competently done. There's no malfeasance involved in her situation, at least no medical malfeasance from the outset. However, the one surgery was not sufficient to bring about the healing which might lead to her being able to train for a new career and re-enter the workforce.

So, yesterday that healing was begun. Gratis. Surgeons and hospital and rehab therapists are donating their resources to ensure this is done. HOORAY! I'm truly happy for this young woman. It's a wonderful and incredible blessing that she's receiving.

Now for a mini-rant:

What about those whose stories didn't make it into the newspaper? What about the thousands in Texas who are considered 'wealthy' when their income probably doesn't even provide even minimal necessities?

Not to malign the hospitals who provide indigent care, but why wasn't this surgery done earlier? This young woman traveled 175 miles round-trip, twice weekly, for physical therapy at a teaching hospital which provides care for those who don't qualify for the same care close to home. I applaud their assistance and the services they provide. However, if surgery was necessary for improvement, why didn't they pick up on this and offer it? (Ok - I know why, but I don't have to like it.)

Why aren't people so outraged at the state of health care that they lobby and protest and write letters to elected officials until something is done about it?

*snort* My mom is probably a prime example of why. She has really good health insurance. (So do I, for that matter.) Here's her plaint: If we go to universal health care, there'll be rationing. *one daughter tearing out hair* There already IS rationing! Those who can't afford health care are already "rationed" out of the system!

So, one injustice has been rectified. When will we tackle the others?

PS - There's a part of me which says that the bozoid who committed the crime should be personally responsible for any medical care costs of the person he damaged. Unless he was independently wealthy, I realize this could never happen. It's difficult to pay multi-thousand dollar medical bills when you're serving two life sentences in prison. So, in the balance of things, I'm just glad he's off the streets so he can't hurt anyone else.