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.
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
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