Tell Me Our Healthcare System Isn't Corrupt and I'll Punch You In The Face
Here's a story, and it's true.
A man has battled depression and bipolar disorder for much of his adult life. He knows there's a problem, but he can't do anything about it. Why? Well, because he doesn't have insurance of course. Not only does this man battle his demons in the mind, but he also suffers from a disease that comes on in attacks. But he doesn't have regular healthcare. Why? I just told you. He doesn't have insurance and they could give a shit.
So he goes through this for years. He can't work because he's sick. He doesn't have a family yet because he's too depressed to make the effort or because he doesn't feel like he deserves one. This man is only 27 years old. He is loved by many people, but he doesn't see it. So he gets upset and takes too many pills. He realized what he did and called an ambulance. He was picked up and taken to the hospital.
The man told the hospital staff what he had done. They put him in a room and started an IV. They drew blood from him. They didn't, however, hook the IV up to anything. They only started it. After these two tests, and knowledge of what had happened, he sat there in that room.
Alone.
And he sat.
And he sat.
For five hours this man sat in the examination room without being touched again. So what does he do? He gets pissed off and leaves. Wouldn't you? Fuck it. They're not going to help me, may as well go die at home in peace.
So this man goes home. His family found out what he had done and rushed to his home. They find him vomiting blood and terrified. He does not want to die! He's sorry, he didn't mean to do this! So they rushed him to another hospital.
Once the man gets to the hospital, he's placed in the Intensive Care Unit. Shortly afterward, he falls unconscious. His liver and pancreas are slowly failing because of the drugs. His family sits by, praying to God for a miracle. They ask their friends to get on their knees and beg God to help. They love him so much and they can't let him go. Not yet. He's too damn young!
He's in the ICU in a coma. The doctor tells the family there's only one way he can survive. If one of his siblings is a match for a liver donor, he may have a chance. The family is living on hope and this is wonderful news! He may survive! They just have to get everything together in order to send them to the new hospital in a bigger city.
The next morning, before they could send the family to the new hospital, the man passed away. He left behind many family and friends. The loved ones are so sad, so angry, so confused, so betrayed. Why did he do it? Wait a minute, he realized he messed up. Why didn't the hospital save him? They could have saved his life. THEY COULD HAVE SAVED HIS LIFE!!! But they didn't do anything for him. Why?
No insurance.
