2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Anna Church
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Voices
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to Mikey Tyler's October 16th article; "Is Healthcare a Right, Privilege, or Responsibility?" According to Tyler, "health care is not a right because it does not make a person more free." Tyler could not be more wrong; healthcare should be a right to all people in this country.
I do not know Tyler personally, therefore I am going to assume he has health insurance, and probably doesn't need to see his doctors for anything more than the occasional strep throat or other routine and easily treated illnesses.
Allow me to tell my story. I have a severe, but common medical condition. This silent demon is called Endometriosis, characterized as the lining of the uterus tearing away and settling into other parts of a woman's reproductive system, and eventually, other vital organs. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility, and symptoms can include severe pain and cramps, excessive bleeding, weakness, fatigue, and depression.
There are currently two available treatments for Endometriosis: A daily pill ($300 a month), or a monthly injection ($500 per injection). I have taken the pill, and not only could I not afford it, it also didn't work for me. I am currently using the monthly injection as treatment, but not for much longer, because it is simply not working anywhere near as well as it has done in the past.
Not only do I not have health insurance, but because of Endometriosis, I have been declared uninsurable by the majority of insurance companies. I have looked into the student insurance available here at UCM; unfortunately, it is too expensive for me. Since I am in pain anywhere from 50-100% of the day, everyday, I am unable to work. (I have filed for Medicaid, and was denied because I have no children.)
Thankfully, my instructors are a lot more understanding than possible employers are. When I have to miss class because I am in so much pain I can't get up off the couch, all my instructors work with me every time, and for that I am very grateful. (Thank you Office of Accessibility Services!)
I am writing in response to Mikey Tyler's October 16th article; "Is Healthcare a Right, Privilege, or Responsibility?" According to Tyler, "health care is not a right because it does not make a person more free." Tyler could not be more wrong; healthcare should be a right to all people in this country.
I do not know Tyler personally, therefore I am going to assume he has health insurance, and probably doesn't need to see his doctors for anything more than the occasional strep throat or other routine and easily treated illnesses.
Allow me to tell my story. I have a severe, but common medical condition. This silent demon is called Endometriosis, characterized as the lining of the uterus tearing away and settling into other parts of a woman's reproductive system, and eventually, other vital organs. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility, and symptoms can include severe pain and cramps, excessive bleeding, weakness, fatigue, and depression.
There are currently two available treatments for Endometriosis: A daily pill ($300 a month), or a monthly injection ($500 per injection). I have taken the pill, and not only could I not afford it, it also didn't work for me. I am currently using the monthly injection as treatment, but not for much longer, because it is simply not working anywhere near as well as it has done in the past.
Not only do I not have health insurance, but because of Endometriosis, I have been declared uninsurable by the majority of insurance companies. I have looked into the student insurance available here at UCM; unfortunately, it is too expensive for me. Since I am in pain anywhere from 50-100% of the day, everyday, I am unable to work. (I have filed for Medicaid, and was denied because I have no children.)
Thankfully, my instructors are a lot more understanding than possible employers are. When I have to miss class because I am in so much pain I can't get up off the couch, all my instructors work with me every time, and for that I am very grateful. (Thank you Office of Accessibility Services!)
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John
posted 12/04/08 @ 10:50 AM CST
This is the typical liberal response to a well articulated conservative idea. You find one sob story and make anyone who doesn't support your idea feel as though they are inherently evil for not wanting the government to help this poor person. (Continued…)
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