my two cents...

I'm not one to get into political discussions...let alone blog about politics, but I just need to get something off my chest and I'll be good :)
A physician whom I don't know or have any affiliation with, sent this letter to President Obama regarding healthcare and where he sees part of the "real issues".  After I read it, I wanted to high five him and say "right on!".  Although, he does say that fixing this "culture crisis" will make health care difficulties disappear. I disagree with that...I think it will help immensely, but it's definitely won't fix everything!
I see patients like this everyday at work. They eat fast food for every meal, smoke 2 packs a day, drink 6-12 beers a day, have smart phones, cable tv, designer "duds" and we are paying for their insurance because they are on Medicaide because they can't "afford" insurance or work. It's so frustrating and so hard not to become judgemental when you hear their "sob story" of how sick they are.....I sometimes just want to scream "quit smoking! Stop drinking so much! Quit eating crap all the time!".  DUH!!!!
Then they argure that "healthy food" is too expensive. In the long run?? They are costing us billions of dollars....get rid of the cable, shop at Target or TJ Maxx, get rid of the smart phone and get a basic cell phone for crying out loud....and there's the money for fruits and veggies.
Now, there are definitely persons out there who truly are disabled, unable to work and can't afford insurance...and I see people like them everyday at work too....I'm afraid that these people who are abusing "the system" (whatever system that may be) are going to ruin it for those who truly do need the help.
Anyway, that's me on my platform...here's the letter:


Dear Mr. President:


During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.
While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one pack of cigarettes every day, eats only at fast-food take-outs, and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer. And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture" a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear.


Respectfully,


ROGER STARNER JONES, MD