My father died last week from a rare form of cancer of the blood plasma called multiple myeloma. His treatments began in September of 2016 and he responded well enough to get out and enjoy life until a few months ago. Dad was in hospice care for only a few days before he died.
During his period in hospice, I rarely left his side. I had a lot of time to think while nurses came in and out of his room, making sure he was comfortable and that we had everything we needed.
What I thought about and am still thinking about is what happens to the people who have no insurance, no money, or no home.
Cancer is a massive killer of homeless people. People experiencing homelessness get cancer at a rate disproportionate to the rest of society. Obviously, the amount of stress associated with homelessness is a huge factor in this.
Here is what happens to people who are poor and do not have money for insurance and who do not qualify for Medicaid.
They die.
They die without receiving a diagnosis. They die without any sort of treatment. They die without medication for the pain. They die without good nutrition. They die without heat or cool air or shelter. They die out in the open. They die alone.
Think about that. Imagine that degree of loneliness and fear and pain.
Hospitals will hand someone a form to receive charitable care and are surprised at how few of the forms come back in.
There is no understanding of poverty and the effect that it has on every aspect of a persons life.
We have to do better.
The quality of care that a person receives should not be linked to the money lining his pockets or bank account.
As much as I love my dad, he was no more deserving of the quality of care that he received than a person who sleeps on a park bench. Every human being deserves to die with dignity. Every human being deserves the best possible care that is available.
Until we see every person as equal simply because they have a beating heart and human flesh, we are not living a humane life. We are less than.
We should do all that we can to bring health care to every individual who lives in our country, regardless of their income. To do less is to do such a disservice to God and humanity that it boggles the mind.
