Amongst the myriad problems of the world one of the problems that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time has been healthcare. From the shaman to the doctor and all quackery in between the pursuit of a healthier life has been the literal holy grail of the masses. Yet as time marches on affordable and accessible health continues to dwindle in supply while demand continues to rise.
In the United States we operate under a capitalist culture where everything is a consumable that can be purchased. Healthcare is no exception. We as a culture are so focused on the righteousness of the capital economic system that all our solutions, goals and ideals serve only to reinforce the cycle of consumption and waste produced by the capitalist system. The delivery of healthcare to the population is therefore metered out to the haves and the have not. The have nots are left to fend for themselves.
Yet can a society truly call itself advanced if it leaves entire swathes of people under served? It is often quoted fact that unhealthy people are less productive. The loss in productivity can be measured in a myriad of ways from loss production capability in the workplace to increased social spending for care of the ingident. What is the solution? Universal healthcare? A single payer system ala Hillary Clinton? Is there a solution or are we simply doomed to a collapse in a healthcare system for all but those most ‘rich’ haves amongst us?
I’m plagued by these questions. The burden of this moral issues weighs heavy on my conscience. I find myself wishing to help break the cycle of poverty that is healthcare and work towards a new solution. Yet I do not know the answer and I see little vision or leadership in the health care community (including in my own work place).
More later…