My dad had a heart attack last week. He’s been in the hospital for about a week. He’s going to have quintuple bypass surgery.
He doesn’t have insurance.
I’m sitting here now listening to the hospital advocate talk to him about Maine Care and how he’s going to pay for the surgery and the follow up care.
I’ve never really had a problem paying taxes. The one thing I never had a problem paying for is medical programs. I know there are lots of people who do have problems paying for people who don’t have insurance. Fuck em, right? Not your problem.
Except that now it’s personal. Now it’s not some random stranger sitting in a bed that I never see, that I never know their name. Now it’s my dad.
My dad has worked every day of his life. He’s been healthy until right now. Hell, his goal in life was to drop dead in the woods. He’s going somewhat crazy sitting in the hospital.
There are some who argue tough shit. No insurance, why should I foot the bill for him. Valid point, honestly. Why should you pay for someone you don’t know who didn’t have his own insurance. That’s not your fault and it’s not your responsibility.
You’re right. It’s not.
But just maybe, medical treatment isn’t something we should be arguing about. Maybe a parent shouldn’t be sitting in a hospital worrying about lifetime caps on treatment. Maybe a daughter shouldn’t be sitting in a hospital worry about how her dad is going to pay for a surgery that may save his life. Maybe a father shouldn’t be worrying whether the insurance company gets to say no to a treatment that could save his son’s life.
Maybe it doesn’t matter. Maybe those of you who say fuck em are right. It’s not your problem.
I only hope you never have to sit where I am right now.
