This really stuck with me. Not just because the medical crisis could have been avoided, but because stories like this are still way too common. I work in housing and building, and I see the same pattern. People delay basic care or ignore warning signs, not because they don’t care, but because they’re doing mental math every time something goes wrong. One unexpected bill can wreck everything.
That $20 Tylenol line? I’ve seen those bills. Once you don’t have insurance, the prices go from crazy to unreal. You’re suddenly in a world where a bag of salt water costs more than a flight to Vegas. It’s not health care anymore, it’s financial roulette.
We say we value freedom, but what kind of freedom is that? If getting sick means risking bankruptcy, people aren’t free. They’re trapped. What hit me most was how this guy’s first fear wasn’t dying, it was debt. That’s the system we’ve built.
I’m not sure what the perfect solution looks like, but I do know this. No stable society can function while its people are scared to ask for help. Health care shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be something we build into the foundation of everything else, just like roads or clean water. Thanks for telling this story clearly. We need more of this kind of honesty.
Thanks for bringing to light in such an eloquent way how terrible the situation of insurance is (or lack-there-of) here in America. I look forward to following your blog as I progress through med school.
Beautiful writing Jeff - by you and your talented Kate. Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to seeing you around on that mountain bike. I have no doubt you will be a blur, zipping by me! Sending much ❤️
Jeff, I absolutely ❤️ Your writing! You take a complex subject, weave it into a story we can all envision, add in an unforgettable great song title, and Voila!, I feel U have me thinking again about things I don’t want to think about, it clearly things that need ruminating, and more importantly, resolving! I could add to your story, but suffice it to say, thank you for making us dig deeper! Much appreciated! Jenn
This really stuck with me. Not just because the medical crisis could have been avoided, but because stories like this are still way too common. I work in housing and building, and I see the same pattern. People delay basic care or ignore warning signs, not because they don’t care, but because they’re doing mental math every time something goes wrong. One unexpected bill can wreck everything.
That $20 Tylenol line? I’ve seen those bills. Once you don’t have insurance, the prices go from crazy to unreal. You’re suddenly in a world where a bag of salt water costs more than a flight to Vegas. It’s not health care anymore, it’s financial roulette.
We say we value freedom, but what kind of freedom is that? If getting sick means risking bankruptcy, people aren’t free. They’re trapped. What hit me most was how this guy’s first fear wasn’t dying, it was debt. That’s the system we’ve built.
I’m not sure what the perfect solution looks like, but I do know this. No stable society can function while its people are scared to ask for help. Health care shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be something we build into the foundation of everything else, just like roads or clean water. Thanks for telling this story clearly. We need more of this kind of honesty.
Big Data dug up a lot of dirt on DISNEY.
youtube.com/watch?v=4HOdexgKmYM&t=9s
Dr. Swisher,
Thanks for bringing to light in such an eloquent way how terrible the situation of insurance is (or lack-there-of) here in America. I look forward to following your blog as I progress through med school.
Beautiful writing Jeff - by you and your talented Kate. Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to seeing you around on that mountain bike. I have no doubt you will be a blur, zipping by me! Sending much ❤️
Jeff, I absolutely ❤️ Your writing! You take a complex subject, weave it into a story we can all envision, add in an unforgettable great song title, and Voila!, I feel U have me thinking again about things I don’t want to think about, it clearly things that need ruminating, and more importantly, resolving! I could add to your story, but suffice it to say, thank you for making us dig deeper! Much appreciated! Jenn
Thanks for reading Jenn! Would love to hear your stories as well.
Thanks Laurie! So glad you enjoyed it. I doubt i will be zipping by you though. I will let Scott do that!