The Big Beautiful Blunder

One of my first stories I wrote for a newspaper, years ago, centered around a hospital board meeting. Oddly enough I was the only member of the press covering the meeting as the other paper and local radio station just blew it off as routine administration shit.

However, my publisher had come from a long family line of reporting everything and anything newsworthy. So, there I was sitting amongst the stethoscopes and suit and ties.

Won’t lie, I was bored shitless sitting there listening and recording (yes, I did that back in the day. It was a habit I learned from my first publisher so folks can’t say you lied about something they did or didn’t say).

Toward the end of the meeting, they got to budgetary concerns and lower than average patient counts being admitted to the hospital. Oh yippee, I remember thinking. Can’t wait for this to end. Then a local doctor addressed the board and spoke of why he hadn’t been admitting many of his patients.

They have no insurance, he cited as a reason, and no ability to pay for their stay. My mind started moving fast as he spoke. What in the hell should the ability to pay have to do with lifesaving procedures that could save someone’s very existence, I thought.

Later that week I wrote the story, and it was published on the front page. The doctor screamed. He even came to our office to gripe that I had taken his words out of context. Then the dreaded ‘l’ word popped up, ‘lawsuit.’ That always happens, I find it laughable. But his tone quieted when I played his words back. Nothing was said further, and life eventually went back to normal.

I write this now as I look at my own struggles with cancer and upcoming tests to see if its returned. Do I understand that doctor’s concern from years ago? Sure, I do but I also understand life. Life is precious, far more so than money itself.

As Mental Health Awareness Month nears its end, I wanted to shine a light on a problem. A problem many don’t see or speak of. The stress, anxiety and overwhelming feelings of many patients facing uncertainties of required tests, procedures and surgeries. And not knowing if their insurance will cover them or they’ll just be forgotten about and left to the what if’s.

Through most of my young adult life I voted conservative. It wasn’t until former President Obama’s second term did that change. I had been fighting the state and social security administration for health care for three years. Just wanting them to help me live. I finally won that battle but the stress and anxiety I suffered were extreme.

Now I look at this Big Beautiful Bill proposed by the GOP and see that according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office; 8.6 MILLION people could lose coverage if it goes into effect.

I ask you now, is a fucking wall across the Mexican Border worth 8.6 MILLION Americans losing health insurance? Think about it as a loved one is dying for lack of medical care. Think about it as a loved one suffers from not only physical ills but mentally as well. Think about it when you’re at a funeral saying a last goodbye to someone you loved because you didn’t have the opportunity beforehand.

Most importantly think about it now as you call your congressman or congresswoman and tell them NO it’s not worth it. There’s still time to do what’s right! But the end is nearing, if you don’t, that is guaranteed.

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