Is This "Quality" Healthcare ?
Last fall there was this 'homeless' individual that I was working with and attempting to, by direct involvement, get back on his feet. The 'homeless' issue is one of my 'charitable causes', I've been there and have a soft spot for the issue. I'm not one however, that thinks these folks are hapless victims of circumstance or an oppressive culture. I try to work with these guys and steer them in the path that took me out of that degenerated state to becoming a productive member of society. The 'Where there is a will, there is a way,' ethos of redemption.
The guy was spiraling out of control, even for an addict. He was able to see it himself and asked for my help. Now, say what you will and feel what you will about State Medical Aid, the first step was to get the guy into the system to clean his sorry ass up with professional oversight and guidance. Get the guy seeing a shrink and some drug/alcohol counseling. Being without a physical address is a fairly significant barrier to receiving the pile of forms that one needs to fill out to 'get the ball rolling' so I had the guy use my mailing address to send and receive the paperwork.
Time went by, no forms, no help, no treatment. After a couple of months he literally hopped a box car and went south. He's in TN somewhere in a tent and cardboard box camp, I know this because I get an occasional email from an Internet cafe or library.
His paperwork started arriving LAST WEEK in my mailbox.
This is the kind of healthcare that the Left thinks will be better for all of us.
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written by Kermit , June 27, 2009
If you want to make an omlette you have to break a few eggs.
Harlan, get with the New World Order. Obamacare will save this country billions, all for a mere trillion.
Next up: taxing churches and private charity. Damn competition anyway!
written by Nobody , June 27, 2009
Antidisestabtimentarism? Har! Tax Churches..get it? Harlen, there has always been "cracks" to fall through. I personaly think that the state increases them, not the other way around.
written by Margaret , June 27, 2009
As things stand now, you have to be an active participant in your health care and ask for what you need, which must make it very hard for people without education or mental problems and without caring family or friends to advocate for them. And that's with the mixed public/private system we have now. In an all public system, it will rationing, get in line, your worst DMV experience nightmare. And when you sick and afraid. I shudder to think about it.
written by Harlan , June 28, 2009
Yah, I'm not a fan of MN Care or any of the 'public assistance' programs. Was real conflicted about trying to get the guy 'into the system'. But if it was going to be a choice between attempting to get him into the treatment system or watching him enter the prison system, well...He created his own cracks to jump into and get wedged.
written by kow , June 28, 2009
You deserve a pat on the back for really helping out your fellow man instead of throwing a check at somebody. The reward is really touching a life.
Maybe the guy will find his way back here and help get the ball rolling now that he finally has some paperwork.
Perhaps you should have enrolled him in a union. They seem to be getting all the attention.
written by Nobody , June 29, 2009
Harlan, God will hang a star for you in heaven. When you get real and personal with helping your fellow man, that's the best.
written by MoonliteSonata , June 29, 2009
Aunty took me in as a homeless stray. We took in a few others over the years, seldom with the result we had hoped for, getting burned most of the time. Would we do it again? Always. It's what we were taught was right- to help those in need in a tangible immediate way.
Cheers, Harlan.
