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Commentary: Time is now for health care reform


Michael Linde (right) assists Dr. James Hildreth in a lab at United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. A UMNS Web-only video image.

A UMNS Commentary
By Dr. Wayne J. Riley*

June 17, 2009 | NASHVILLE, Tenn.


Dr. Wayne J. Riley
  

When I think about America’s health care delivery system, I recall the famous quote from the literary classic “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

These prophetic words from the mid-19th century capture the essence of our health care system today. With significant progress in patient outcomes, medical research and lifestyle modification, it is the best of times. Today, we know how to save lives through prevention and early detection! We know what causes heart disease and how to prevent it; we know how to detect cancer in its early stages and how to treat it; we even know how to protect ourselves by wearing seat belts, exercising and eating right. Yes, in the realm of health care knowledge, it is the best of times.

And yet, it is the worst of times because everyone cannot afford to engage in health care practices that help ensure good health. It is the worst of times because sometimes even those who can afford access do not receive appropriate and culturally competent care. It is the worst of times because lack of access has resulted in health disparities that compromise the quality of life for those who are disenfranchised, underrepresented, poor and-or uneducated. It is the worst of times because as the ranks of those who cannot afford health care continue to swell, the challenges of health disparities become increasingly daunting.

46 million uninsured

Recent data show approximately 46 million Americans lack health insurance and millions more are “underinsured.” Physicians and patients alike know that it is significantly more expensive and difficult to care for people when they are stricken with illness; even so, many do not have the resources to take advantage of health care that may help prevent the onset of chronic diseases which are expensive to manage.

“It is the worst of times because as the ranks of those who cannot afford health care continue to swell, the challenges of health disparities become increasingly daunting.”

As a physician and leader of the nation’s largest, independent, private, historically black academic health science center - Meharry Medical College - I know that our nation is at a critical turning point in history. And as a Christian, I believe each one of us is being called upon to take part in this revolution.

Conceptually, we are talking about extending access to those who do not have it. This means we must share this resource called “health care” with those who are the “least of these” among us. Like Methodism itself, which was founded on the principles of reaching out to the poor and disenfranchised to include them in the folds of Christianity, health care reform proposes to do just that – reach out to the poor and disenfranchised and include them in the folds of effective health care service.

Exercise and prayer

Expanded access is just one step in the right direction. We must also increase the number of physicians willing to provide prevention-based medicine to the masses – regardless of age, creed, race, economic status or education. This will not be an easy task, because the field of primary care (internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology) is less lucrative and more demanding on personal time than many specialty fields.

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I know this first-hand and experienced it while growing up in a physician’s household. My father, Emile E. Riley, M.D., Meharry alumnus class of 1960, was a general internist who treated the poor, uninsured and underinsured of my hometown of New Orleans. He went to work early, came home late, was always on call and was often paid on the barter system. But he was dedicated to his health ministry and ultimately influenced my decision to become an internist. Nothing can compare to the privilege and honor of helping others with their health.

Finally, we as Christians and as Americans must be willing to take responsibility for our own health care. Stop smoking (or don’t start), exercise, eat right, meditate and pray – pray for a health care system as good and as decent as our people.

*Riley is the president of Meharry Medical College, a historically black United Methodist-related, professional institution, in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.  

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Resources

Meharry Medical College

Historically Black United Methodist Colleges

United Methodist hospitals and health care facilities

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Four areas of ministry focus

Global Health Initiative

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