Today I have spent a great deal of time watching the funeral services for a Cincinnati police officer killed in the line of duty last week. It has been beautiful and emotional. It has been sad and uplifting. It is absolutely a great tragedy that this man is no longer with us...it would have been a greater tragedy had he never lived. I can not imagine the pain that his family is experiencing, but I am very grateful that this man walked on Earth, even for the too few years that he did.
Just before I turned on the television coverage of the funeral, I learned that the same sex marriage ban was struck down by the supreme court. I was so happy my eyes filled with tears. I have many good friends who have left the state because they could not legally marry the person they love. While I know none of them are going to return just because it is legal here now, I am grateful that no one else will feel they have to leave for the same reason. I have never felt that same sex marriage in any way, shape, or form, threatened or discounted my own marriage, and I have a dear friend who has been with his partner for over 17 years. He is a cancer survivor from our teen years, and the fact that, had they chosen to remain here (which they did not) he might not be able to be covered by health insurance or other benefits never made me happy. I am grateful for today's decision.
Speaking of health insurance, I am also grateful for the decision yesterday allowing millions of people to keep their affordable insurance. My mother is one that has been forced to sign up for individual plans due to losing her insurance when my father passed away. Yes, she was allowed to remain on the company plan for a certain number of months, but I am grateful that the individual exchange allowed her to find better coverage at a more affordable (but still unbelievably expensive) rate. My mother does not receive tax subsidies for her insurance, but undoubtedly would have seen her rates increase with a different decision. Health insurance coverage will ALWAYS be a good thing as far as I am concerned. Dollars spent in medical prevention are never dollars wasted in my opinion.
And also speaking of medical issues and insurance...I am so very saddened by the tragedy in South Carolina last week. I am pleased that the state of South Carolina has chosen to remove the Confederate flag from the state grounds, but I do not, at all, believe that the Confederate flag should be outlawed. I believe that individuals and business should be allowed to choose to display an item that represents their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, just as I should be allowed to choose whether or not I wish to patronize or associate with those who feel that way. How does this relate to medicine and insurance? Well, I don't believe this discussion should be about the Confederate flag, gun control, or even hate crimes. I believe this discussion should be about the lack of affordable and productive mental health treatment in our country, and furthermore about the stigma associated with mental health concerns. Until we begin to treat mental health diseases as exactly that...diseases, I honestly feel all other conversations are mute.
I know this is kind of a heavy (and uncharacteristically political) post for me, but I just needed to get my thoughts out there. I know that some who read this, and perhaps even most who read this, won't agree. That is what is so fabulous about our country...we are all allowed to have our own opinions!
No comments:
Post a Comment