Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 26, 1992 TAG: 9202260342
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MURIEL L. REYNOLDS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
TREAT HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS AS UTILITY
DR. JOSEPH Gunselman's statement (letter, Jan. 28), "The poor are society's problem," reminded me of Marie Antoinette's remark, "If the poor don't have bread, let them eat cake."I agree that "robbing Peter to pay Peter" is wrong. No one should have to be "robbed" so that an ordinary working citizen can have access to medical care. It is essential.
Since many medical-care providers prefer to be incorporated and dispense their services in a strictly business manner, let them function as does a public utility. The government doesn't pay the utility bill for the users, except in cases of dire need, but it does require the utility to legitimize its profits, and exercises some control over rates.
Is the medical field responsible for creating the poor? Not entirely, but it must accept its share of the blame. Escalating medical-care costs, which have far outstripped the inflation rate, have made it increasingly difficult for American businesses to compete in foreign markets, affecting the balance of trade and closing down many American industries and creating unemployment. Medical-care costs have increased the national debt by forcing ever-increasing numbers of Americans to resort to government assistance when they become old or ill.
Yes, the poor are society's problem; but aren't medical-care providers a part of society? They hold life-and-death services in their hands. How much is "enough" to render these services?
As a nurse for 30 years, I know that if my husband or I became disabled today, we could not afford the nursing-home care I have given to others. My son, who has laid brick on for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals, cannot afford the premiums necessary for his family's care in these same hospitals.
My youngest son has installed phone systems in hospitals, clinics and insurance offices, and can ill afford the services of any of them. We do not consider ourselves poor at all, but could become that way very quickly if struck by a major accident or illness.
I don't think any single person has an answer for this imbalance between provider and recipient. I do believe what is written on our currency: "In God We Trust." The people of America would do well to pray that God would grant his wisdom to our leaders (state and national) as they seek a way to restore the balance: his blessing on those providers who seek to serve him through their choice of profession, and his mercy on those in need of care.
Muriel L. Reynolds lives in Roanoke and is a registered nurse at a local nursing home.