Charles On. . . .Universal Healthcare for All Americans
CHARLES ON...
Universal Healthcare for All Americans
By Charles Winters
For those of you who haven't heard, I was recently hospitalized to have surgery on my hand. It wasn't too serious of a deal, but it wasn't exactly a fun experience either.
After a visit to my regular doctor ended up with orders to go to the hospital, I landed a nearly week-long visit at Bellevue in New York City. A fine hospital that dealt with my hostility, as it turns out, Bellevue offers discounted healthcare to New Yorkers who aren't insured.
Luckily, we have that option as New Yorkers. Unfortunately, many Americans do not have access to any resources and are dying of things that might be referred to as "silly." With the right medications, simple problems could be solved. The problem is that without health insurance, these Americans find themselves in pain and getting sicker, many dying a slow death without any way out. They're basically held captive to their illness simply because they can't afford to get the care they need. This must stop!
I'm not 100% sure that President Barack Obama has it exactly right with his healthcare plan, but it is definitely a start. I can't imagine what it would be like to pay $2,500 a day for the accommodations and care that I received from Bellevue. Someone without health insurance (or a rare clinic like Bellevue) would go into debt to pay those types of fees. Some even have to choose whether they eat or get medical attention. It is sad, really.
Whether this healthcare bill is perfect or not, it must be passed. We need the option for every American to have health coverage. How can we call ourselves the land of the free if we don't?
Oh, and the one thing I miss about being Bellevue: being woken up by gorgeous doctors every morning and a few times throughout the day! The docs there are not only great medical professionals, but most of them could walk right onto the runway. It's actually the best part about the facility—after the reduced healthcare, of course.
“Charles On…” is a syndicated column of rants and raves by homo-journalist Charles Winters. Winters is currently the Editorial Director at GaySocialites.com. To contact him, e-mail charles@gaysocialites.com
