Doctor Roger Starner Jones is a seventh generation Mississippian and his extracurricular interests are golf, hunting, fishing and college football. He specializes in emergency medicine at The University of Mississippi medical Center.
This Letter to the Editor, written by Doctor Jones about health care in America, is from the August 29 edition of Jackson, Mississippi’s newspaper, the Clarion Ledger.
Dear Sirs:
During my last night’s shift in the ER, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with a shiny new gold tooth, multiple elaborate tattoos, a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and a new cellular telephone equipped with her favorite tune for a ring tone.
Glancing over the chart, one could not help noticing her payer status: Medicaid.
She smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and, somehow, still has money to buy beer. And our President expects me to pay for this woman’s health care?
Our nation’s health care crisis is not a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. It is a crisis of culture – a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance.
A culture that thinks I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me. Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.
Starner Jones, MD
Jackson, MS
Dr. Roger Starner Jones Muses On Crisis Culture: Share this on del.icio.usDigg this!Buzz up!Stumble upon someth.. http://bit.ly/4AU6T9
This is the most succinct comment I’ve yet read regarding the overall expectation of many Americans today. Frequently I am also amazed at the belief that privledges are rights . . . when will it change? As with the teaching of small children who scream and cry when they want something, only when the parents ignore the tantrum and the child learns that privledges are earned! Unfortunately, the “parent” of America at this time, Obama, is one who believes it is best to give in. And parents (or shall we call them “taxpayers?”) all over America understand what happens then – the child will do it again and again each and every time they want something!
I too have Medicare. After reading Dr. Jones’ letter I feel compelled to take certain actions. I am going to have my gold tooth pulled, which has been in my mouth for twenty years, and sent to Dr. Jones to help allay his insurance costs. I am going to donate my Nike walking shoes to the good doctor since he makes enough money to be entitled to wear expensive shoes. I’ll get another pair from the Goodwill of a real cheap brand, even if they are not comfortable. I am quitting chewing snoose. That will save me about $10 a month so I’ll send that to Dr. Jones too. Now I don’t know just what I can do about my tattoos that I have had since I was in the Navy 40 years ago. I should maybe have Dr. Jones remove them. It would only cost a few thousand dollars. Of course I would pay for that myself from my pension money. As for my expensive brand clothes (also Goodwill) I will just tear off the tags and keep wearing them. Then no one will know I am wearing brands I’m not entitled to wear.
Doing all these things still doesn’t ease my conscience, so the next time I get sick I will just stay home so as not to burden Medicare and Dr. Jones, and hope I don’t die from it.
I meant to say Medicaid in the above letter. I forgot to mention that I promise to stop drinking my daily glass of beer. Such a vice as drinking beer is inexcusable, I know. That is all I can do to correct my ways since I have no more vices except masturbating. If it somehow results in costing Dr. Jones, I will cut it down to once a month. That’s the best I can do, doctor. After all, I am almost human.
Dear Cecil, I don’t think the good Doctor is asking you for your gold tooth, or your expensive Nike shoes, or your cellphone. What he IS addressing is that we all have decisions to make in life and that most RESPONSIBLE people if given the choice between paying for the expensive shoes, or the gold tooth, or the cellphone, etc… INSTEAD of buying necessary health insurance coverage are going to opt to buy the less expensive shoes, avoid costly unnecessary (and unhealthy) habits (such as smoking and drinking), and go without the (unnecessary) cellphone. These are luxuries. Health care insurance like food is not a luxury. Also like food it is not a right! Those of us who make healthier decisions, more responsible decisions SHOULD NOT have to pay for someone else’s health insurance – especially as he points out so well, when they clearly are not making any effort at paying for it themselves. It is the culture of this entitled and irresponsible mentality that is eating at the fabric of this country! Kudos to Dr. Starner for stating the obvious.
Ah, so you have a computer too Cecil? My, my, my…..
Dear Cecil, you certainly did a good job of articulating the entitlement mentality point of view.
Right on Doc. There is far too much of this in society. A lack of responsibility and an expectation that everyone else in society should have to bear the costs of ones own poor decisions. I am not against helping those who have fallen on hard times – but there seems to be a pervasive element within our society whose expectations about what they are due are drastically out of sync with what value they add to society.
I remember a John Stossel piece on 20/20 years ago when he debunked “poverty stricken” soup kitchen folks. He asked – do you have a telephone? TV? Cable? A microwave? To which all answers were yes. The examples now are even more egregious — jacked up pick up trucks, chrome plated “spinner” wheels on cars, ipods, tatoos, gold chains, etc. And yet no ability to pay for the basics like food or healthcare? As John would say, “give me a break”.
Let’s help those who need help – but demand more of those who are capable. Starting in the schools.
It’s too bad these kinds of stories sink into an argument about the superficial issues. “Who are you to say how I should spend my money?” “Don’t you care about those less fortunate than you?” “If she can pay for a tattoo, she can pay the doctor.”
The deeper issue is whether we are becoming a society of people who don’t care about the consequences of their decisions and are growing ever more dependent on the power of the government to force “others” to take care of us. We are witnessing and participating in a society of individuals that are too willing to forfeit their independence in exchange for security – somebody to take care of the consequences of our decisions.
Folks, no matter how you want to spin this, it’s destroying our society. I fear for my grandchildren. Regards, Bill
Why should not become a society like this when the “Obamanation” has bailed out so many companies that make billion and trillion dollar bailouts but yet their CEO’s get bonuses “because it was promised” to them how about this, when you went in to business you knew there were responsibilities and you failed to maintain the standards. How about they file bankruptcy like the common man, and not be able to get loans for 7 years or longer because they cant be trusted to do the right thing with their money. I have served 20 years in the military and I have been promised health care for life if, I maintained my standards and fulfilled my oath. I applaud this young Dr’s views why should veterans or AMERICANS suffer from lack of Healthcare because we give it to illegal immigrants and deadbeats that are able to walk around and not work.
Dr. Jones, I am a single mother who has worked for attorneys for 30 years…I am 45, which tells you that I started working in a professional office at age 15 (via Business/Office Education Program in which I enrolled in high school the beginning of my sophomore year)…12:00-5:00 every day during the school year and full-time during the summers. Therefore, I had no “free” summers as most other kids my age…you included, I am sure. However, because of the greed of these bottomfeeders, I was laid off 18 weeks ago. In 18 weeks I have sent out 96 resumes. For 30 years I have paid into our government’s system…but because I make $2.00 per month too much on “unemployment” ($280/week…could you possibly live on that amount of money, doc??) and do receive a small monthly child support payment (a portion of which I had to sacrifice – a condition my ex required in order for him to allow me to keep the house to raise our son), I did not qualify for food assistance (food stamps) that I truly need to help feed my son and myself. During my 30 year career, I accumulated may nice things, including a nice home (did I mention I am now in the process of filing bankruptcy in order to keep my home, praying I do find another job before the unemployment runs out…and no, I do not have one single credit card debt); nice clothing I could not really afford even though it was purchased at a consignment shop (because the law firms I worked for required the same because “we have an image to uphold”), and oh yes, I do own a vehicle and a cell phone. I am sorry, but these “luxuries” ARE required in my life…after all, that cell # IS listed on those 96 resumes I have sent out. And yes, I do own a computer…which was purchased and given to me by a true friend because even working 40+ hours per week, I could not afford one. Your sarcastic comment that “I [you] had the pleasure of evaluating a patient…” disgusts me. Tell me, should I dress in rags and lie on my medical form that I smoke in order to not receive your judgment??
You live in what is commonly referred to as “The Bible Belt”. Surely you are familiar with Matthew 7:1-6??
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
As I read the posts on this site I agree somewhat with both sides. Having just graduated medical school and earning the title of physician (even though still in training) I have already experienced the frustration of treating many patients who fit the description above- having many unhealthy and expensive vices (smoking and drinking) as well as the newest technology, yet complain about a $20 co-pay or better yet, come to the emergency room because they knew they would get Benedryl for free, instead of just going to the closest drug store. How much do cigarettes cost these days? Not to mention the fact that every cigarette they smoke puts them closer and closer to needing long term health care on societies’ dime.
On another hand, my husband and I both come from families who’s parents can’t afford health care due to rising costs and a poor economy. I see the struggles of losing your job despite being a hard worker and struggling to make ends meat. We have family members who have had to rely on medicaid at some point in their lives to get their needed health care.
So, I agree- with both sides of the issue. The problem is that too many people are sucking the system dry. Not working, or attempting to work, when they are fully able to. Having unhealthy habits that they can’t afford that lead to their demise and ultimately further burden society.
So for the single mother who is doing her best, I applaud you- my mother was also a single parent working multiple jobs to raise me. And for the vet who has served your time and deserve health care, I thank you- my husband and I are both in the Air Force and my Father-in-law retired Army- I know first hand of the sacrifices you made for our country and agree you deserve a lot in return, including health care. And to the Doctors working long hours to take care of (some) people who don’t take care of themselves- thank you.
To the people who bleed the system… get your act together, we are all suffering the consequences of your selfish and thoughtless ways…
The very fact that some of you are DEFENDING your “right” to not want more for yourselves instead of sitting on public assistance/subsidized healthcare is a joke to me! I understand that almost every one falls on “hard times” at least once in their life and may need some help to get back up… But those that are content to just sit there and remain in the system? C’mon! Get some self-respect! I was on Medicaid once too… You know what I did? I got a JOB! One with health benefits! It took me a few lousy ones that didn’t pay worth a damn to find one that gave benefits (and still doesn’t pay me too much more than nothing)… But I took it–and took back some dignity and control of my own life. Try it sometime.. You may just find you LIKE how it feels to not be a sponge. Meanwhile, if you receive public assistance (such as food stamps), the powers-that-be are now recognizing that you would have more of a chance of finding a job if you had a phone–so they are now providing FREE cell phones and minutes to those that qualify (income stipulations, of course)… But I can assure you, none of those free cell phones are Blackberries or iPhones (which I still cannot afford with my FULL TIME job, by the way).. And of the ones they DO provide, you couldn’t possibly upload any of the latest ringtones to “pimp your style”–they are bargain-basement phones that only have a handful of midi ringtones and no internet capabilities… So if you are legitimately needing a phone for all of your resume’s you have out there, this will work for you. If that is NOT the truth of it, then please–stop making lame excuses.. Get up and improve your own life… I wish they would raise the price of cigarettes here to $12/pack to offset these ppl that are butt-raping the system.. As much as they say they have no $$$ for co-pays, you KNOW they would find the $$ to buy the cigarettes, and inadvertently (heaven forbid) help to pay for their OWN healthcare costs… Worth a look…
Right on, Dr. Jones! God bless the man who is willing to work for what he has! Socialism has been proven to NOT WORK for society, it is a disgusting shame to see America headed that direction.
While I can agree that attitudes of entitlement are abhorrent. The fact is that even a high deductible medical insurance monthly premium will cost you the equivalent of a month’s rent for a family of four. Insurance is VERY EXPENSIVE, and those high deductible plans do not have co-pays for ANYTHING–so you pay the premiums–$400 per month, and THEN pay for the doctor AND medicine out of your pocket til you reach the $3,000 deductible? I think the working poor could afford EITHER the health insurance OR the doctor visits, but not both. So make it work better–insure them, make them pay $20 per dr. visit, and get them to pay SOMETHING, instead of the nothing they pay now.
Good discussion – bottom line nothing is free and you must be responsible for your choices.
And because of this judgmental mentality by Dr. Jones, it really brings up the question, is he really doing his job?
Inside the ER I’ve heard remarks from doctors and nurses such as these and, not surprisingly, the “treatment” that is provided to these “entitled” people is horrible!! How can a person who takes an oath to serve all who are in need, make such vile innuendo and suggestive commentary. You really don’t know why people end up with Medicaid as their healthcare option. Have you considered your patient could have had a medical or mental disability that entitled her to Medicaid? Are you aware that phone companies are issuing prepaid phones to the poor and others in need for emergency purposes. The gold tooth may be cheaper a less expensive option than having to do a root canal and a crown. Tatoos may be a sign of deeper emotional issues and life hardships you obviously have and never will face. Before making such narrow-minded and completely seemingly undereducated comments as you did, did you consider the undereducated background of not only this patient but those before her? She may be an unwilling product of a society that is filled with people of your hardened ilk. That this society rejects her as much or more as you do.
If I remember correctly, you took an oath to serve all in need. You are an American, I suppose and so is she. May be a sense of responsibility is lacking on both sides of the aisle but entitlement? That is a whole other subject…
Those of you who are turning this against the doctor who is disgusted with entitled people have no clue what people in the medical profession deal with on a daily basis.
In my 15 years of medical experience, those who are on social programs are, without fail, the hardest to please and the ones who appreciate it the least. The doctor who wrote this letter is simply tired of going to work every day and seeing hundreds of TOTALLY able-bodied humans feeding at the government trough like hogs. I agree with him.
I guarantee he gets cussed and spat upon at the UMC ER by those who haven’t worked a single minute for their entitlements, while the ones who have jobs and pay for their care are much more appreciative.
Those of you who are trying to turn this into a religious discussion, I welcome you to sit in a local ER or clinic and deal with Medicaid patients all day. You will change your tune.
I also recall several verses of the Bible saying things about working hard for your rewards, and not being lazy.
I am fine with people using Medicaid as a bridge to get through hard times for a few months, but these people have no intention of ever doing anything other than mooching off the government.
The dumbing-down of America has begun to take its toll!
Jones should be ashamed of his apparent bigotry which should have no place in the medical field. You took an oath but must have forgotten that part of your reason for wanting to be a doctor. So it would seem that you are far more concerned about the financial aspect. Since we are on the subject of vises, you forgot to mention the one that plagues most people in this country according to statistics…overweight fat people are also at a health risk. So would that be considered in your estimation of the people who deserve health care. That would certainly preclude most folks from your idea of people who take care of themselves. My waistline has never changed since High School..31″ so i say this to all you people who thank Jones for his bravery in speaking up…check your waistline…if you are fat…then perhaps you should consider going on a diet before you mouth off!!!…. These comments smack of the perfect Arryan Race…look what happened to Hitler.
Some of you seem to be rather upset knowing that some of us expect our fellow Americans to be partly responsible for their choices which have consequences. In this case, each of us would have a stake in these consequences given that tax dollars would be used to combat irresponsible behavior that would lead to health problems.
But since the entitlement mentality of those same people will continue to exist, it’s likely that the doctor was just preaching to the choir here. Those of you who feel that you’re owed something simply because you’re American will continue to feel this way. You’ll also continue to feel that those of us who produce on a daily basis will be your providers.
As for the comment by TL, it’s probably the best example of what the debate will become: when you can’t win the argument using intellect, spin the situation into a racial debate and hope that no one notices otherwise.
Has anyone seen my movie “Idiocracy” which at first seems like a slapstick comedy but has serious undertones which speak directly to entitlements and those who act irresponsible verses those that do act responsible. Those that are responsible will eventually succumb to growing numbers of irresponsible people. Unfortunately, the American government is full of those same irresponsible people who couldn’t run a successful business if their life depended on it and thus, the government is not who will fix this problem. We first need to fix the problems in our own lives and teach / show others how to fix theirs.
Thank you, Dr., for your opinion. I work in an ER also. 2 young females came in recently both requesting pregnancy tests. I informed them it would be cheaper to pick one up at the drug store than going thru the ER. They informed me since they were on Medicaid it would not cost them anything.
What I also find appalling is the Medicaid pt, or even the Medicare pt, whose urine tests positive for illegal drugs. Now, I have to pass a urine drug test to work, to pay my taxes, to pay for my healthcare. It is insulting to me to not only care for those who take advantage of the healthcare system and abuse their body by using illegal substances, but then also have to foot the bill thru my tax dollars.
I’m guessing that this entire thing is a hoax, and that “STARNER” is simply an anagram for “RANTERS”.
READ THIS: Dr. Roger Starner Jones, MD Muses On Crisis Culture~http://is.gd/51W9x #hi_dc #DC #HCR #HC #TCOT
“House staff: Sometimes referred to as house officers. The house staff is a broad term for all physicians who have completed medical school and are continuing their training. They are directly and closely involved in the care of the patient, but report to the attending physician who oversees the complete care of each patient. There are three categories of house staff.”
http://emergencymedicine.umc.edu/classof2010.html
The story is legit, is he smart for doing it? No, but I give him kudos for being willing to state an opinion in this cuddly, cumbayah singing, politcally correct, craptastic society we are now living in.
Dear Dr. Jones:
Your ethnocentric ancestors denied that young lady’s ancestors their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.They were denied opportunities that would have enabled them to mature into well educated, independent, and productive citizens and to pass that on to their children and grandchildren, like the one you are treating today in the ER. Instead, they were restricted to slave labor which included breast feeding and nurturing your ancestor’s children, who subsequently passed their wealth and privileges on to their children and grandchildren, like yourself. Their arrogant and self-righteousness attitude is yet reflected in your comments.
Having had educational opportunities all your life, you should know that it was even against the law to teach the laborers how to read. Your ancestors enforced such mandates as a means of restricting most of society’s privilege, to include decent jobs and homes for themselves. Today, healthcare is in the forefront.
Had those people been allowed the necessary means to provide sufficiently for themselves and to provide educational opportunities for their children, or merely the same privileges you have enjoyed most of your life, the individual you are complaining about might be a fully productive and self-sufficient citizen as you claim to be.
You do reap what you sew, however, in this case, you are reaping what your ancestors sowed. Unless you rid yourself of the bigotry and hatred reflected in your comments, your children and grandchildren will reap what you sow.
Dr. Jones, I forgot one critical comment. I am the wife of a military officer who served 30 years. Have you ever served in the military?
What do you have to say to the hundreds of soldiers fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan today, who have loved ones back home suffering because they can’t pay to see a physician?
If you had serve in the military to “earn” the privilege of attending medical school, would you be a doctor today? Without the services of thousands of people like the lady you described, you would not have food on your table unless you travelled to pick it up yourself; mail in your box, clothes on your back, tools to use in your profession; a sanitized facility to practice in; law enforcement personnel to protect you; firefighters to save your home; soldiers to pay for your freedoms;
people to maintain your city’s highways and bi-ways; factory workers to put together everything you have in your home; and the list goes on……….Dr. Jones, I hope the negligible judgement you have relayed in your comments are not reflective of the quality of medical care you provide.
Miss Gwen, you missed the entire point of Dr. Jones’ letter. And for the record, he never mentioned whether his patient was white, black, brown, or purple. You are the one whose predjudice led you to the conclusion that he was speaking of a black person.
First, he didn’t have to pick on gold teeth, cigarettes, tennis shoes, ring tones and booze. Everyday there are thousands upon thousands of irresponsible persons with a set of controllable and stupid circumstances whose bad decisions and selfishness manage to rape our health care system (as well as other social systems) by sticking their collective hands out for freebies instead of picking up their individual rears and going to work and dumping their bad habits.
I raised two kids, singly, and at times worked as many as five piddly jobs in order to pay for my kids and me. I never took a free anything! However, sometimes people can’t find five piddly jobs, so if they are trying fine! Dr. JOnes is talking about the masses out there who are not trying – the ones who first afford the luxuires, the wants, and not the needs.
Secondly, Miss Gwen, your argument about blacks in America doesn’t hold water. How long does it take a group of people to get over a tragedy? There have been sufficient interveining years for every black person in the country to achieve greatness, as proved by those great black people in our country. But your quick reaction to attribute Dr. JOnes remarks to being about a black person tells me that the chip on your shoulder is huge and that you need to get rid of it before it weighs you way down.
Third, you berate Dr. JOnes about his background, his “wealth”, his military background and you know nothing about him. Neither do I. You are the one rushing to judgement with no knowledge whatsoever. Talk about preconceived predjudices!
Lastly, I applaud Dr. JOnes for having the courage to talk plainly and openly about one of the worst abuses in our health system today – one that could easily be fixed.
Next time, think before you assume facts not in evidence and write about them.
Dear Compassionate Texan:
You are correct in stating that Dr. Jones did NOT have to “pick on gold teeth, cigarettes, tennis shoes, ring tones and booze,” but he did. Further, if you read very carefully, you will find the word “Black” in my statement anywhere. You made that assumption based on your knowledge of the history of this great nation, but you need to be mindful that it may very well apply to the Indians, Hispanics and any other resident minorities. If Dr. Jone’s argument was based on the issue of responsibility and accountability, there was no need for him to provide a description of any particular individual. Dr. Jones was stereotyping, and it should be unacceptable in his professional field.
The question of individual responsibility and accountability, apart from that individual and the description he used, is a valid question. However, there are many millionaires, i.e. athletes, musicians and actors alike, who fit that description who are philanthropists and far from considered irresponsible.
In terms of “raping the system” as you stated, you might want to give some consideration to AIG executives and other CEOs, who may not have gold teeth or wear fancy sneakers. They have caused far more devastation to far more people than the young lady described as having “ring tones.”
The real issue, as I attempted to raise, is the affect of long term poverty on people of any race. While I did not assume that Dr. Jones is a wealthy man, I do know that it takes resources, for the most part, that allude the average poverty stricken individual and when individuals have an opportunity to achieve a good education, they have the knowledge and the ability to provide for their families and to develop into responsible and productive citizens. This strengthens the family, the community, and the nation as a whole benefits. While you are correct in that some go on to achieve anyway, this is more ofo an exception and is far from the norm.
We cannot continue to proclaim ourselves to be one nation under God when we accept without condemnation the gross disparities that exists in our nation today. We cannot remain a powerful nation when our wars continue to be fought by our nation’s poorest. No man has ever been judged “too poor” to put on a uniform fight, and I know of none who has been barred from serving because of his fancy sneakers or gold teeth.
This nation has never won any war or achieved any great victory fighting as one race, rather even the civil war and the great civil rights struggle achieved victories because American people united as one, and fought as one for a moral cause.
The provision of basic health care for every American is a moral issue and we must dispense with the practice that bases a man’s worth to live on his individual wealth.
What purpose does a government serve, if it does not exist for the common good?
We have the resources to eradicate diseases and so we should. We have the resources to establish a system of medical care for all, though with some governance, and so we should.
If, we continue to allow people to suffer and die and do so because they lack wealth, it is inhumane and it is tantamount to legal genocide. The acceptance and practice of such, without condemnation, makes us unfit to serve as a leader for the world, and such lack of humanity makes us grossly unfit to declare ourselves as “one Nation under God, with liberty, and justice for all.
No, I don’t agree at all.
The same person that sent me this is– of course– a Republican and this email is being circulated and forwarded like crazy. I bet somebody reading this will even cut-and-paste and send it along to friends with a subject line like, “This doctor is really smart!”
Let’s take a look at Dr. Redneck’s email a little closer, shall we?
He makes it very clear that he is talking about a black person in the first paragraph. And just to make sure we get the point, he even throws in “R&B” music, just to hammer it home. He could have left out the gold tooth thing. But he paints us a real nice picture, doesn’t he? I’m sure all of his black patients are like this. Every single one of them has gold teeth and an R&B ringtone…I’m sure.
Incidentally, Mississippi has the highest poverty level in all 50 states. So I’m sure he had his pick of whites and blacks– and, of course, he makes an example of a black person.
And he is sarcastic about doing his job for a black person, when he writes “I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with a gold tooth…”
Gee whiz Doctor Starner Jones. Why are you a doctor if you only prefer white patients who have ringtones that are more appropriate to your redneck values? You know, something by Hank Williams or such? Something that doesn’t offend his arrogant whites-only values?
Incidentally, the poverty level for blacks in Mississippi is 44%! I’m sure the many, many years of racism in Mississippi, banning black AMERICAN CITIZENS from the same opportunities as whites, until the Supreme Court finally stepped in, has nothing to do with anything. Yeah, I’m sure that 200 years of oppression has no effect on the black population in Mississippi.
He could have described many of his poor white clients, but he chose a black person. You know, just to be hateful and make his fellow Red-Staters happy. (He wrote this letter to his local paper.)
Finally, the ignorant little shit writes the dumbest thing he could possibly write:
“Life is not really that hard.”
(Unless of course, you are black and live in Mississippi. If you didn’t read my post on “Whites Only” Prom in Mississippi, check it out.)
And…
“Most of us reap what we sow.”
Hmmmm… The whole economy is in the toilet, the real estate market stinks right now, we have a huge 14.5% foreclosure rate in the United States. No Doctor, I think we are “reaping” what George Bush sowed. Personally, I am well-educated and have always made a six-figure income. But I am struggling right now. And I really think I sowed pretty well.
When I see Disabled American Vets handing out plastic flags around the holidays– in hope for a small donation– it makes me sick. Did these guys reap what they sowed? I love all of these posts about supporting our troops, but never anything about supporting vets. They get the shaft. I guess they are reaping what they sowed fighting for our country.
My wife got cancer and it financially devastated me. She didn’t drink or smoke or use drugs. Did she reap what she sowed? Did I?
My father-in-law was a GM employee for 30 years. He was basically laid off. They called it “early retirement.” He has eight U.S. patents. Now, this brilliant engineer is looking for work as a cabbie. I guess he reaped what he sowed also. Graduated at the top of his class many years ago and was a loyal GM employee. Yep, he deserves it.
I just cancelled my own health insurance, because I simply can’t afford it and they love to deny claims anyway. And I don’t have any R&B ringtones on my telephone. Weird, huh?
They should fire Doctor Starner Jones. Then he can reap what he sowed by writing this racist letter.
Thank God we voted losers (who think like this loser) right on the hell out of office, 2 elections running.
Okay folks…for all those people missing the whole point of Dr. Jones’ post. I too am a physician and share these exact same sentiments. It doesn’t mean I’m racially biased or refuse to care for the uninsured, etc. There are plenty of “insured” who fall under this sense of entitlement attitude.
Let me give my “perspective”. A patient once asked me what I thought of the state of health care today. I simply gave her this analogy…
I asked her…”Have you bought a car before?” She said yes. I then said “Well then I assume you also went out and bought auto insurance as well.” She said yes. I then asked her…”Did you go out after you got insurance and purposefully drive your car into a brick wall, back up and do it again?” She laughed and said no. I simply asked…”why not?” She shrugged and said it would damage the paint job, the engine, etc. I said “exactly”. I then said, “what if you did drive into a wall, would you take it to your autodealership, expect them to fix it like brand new and expect all the people who DIDN’T run their car into a wall to pay for it?”
She was silent….she knew what I was getting at….she is a smoker and is obese. Just because people have insurance or someone else pays for it, for some reason gives them this sense of entitlement to live unhealthy lives. Dr. Jones isn’t harping on people with gold teeth and cell phones, etc. We’re harping on those who feel they can drive their body into oblivion (i.e. eating themselves to obesity; smoking themselves to death) and EXPECT for us and the rest of us taxpayers who do live a healthy lifestyle to coddle them when their body gives out. It’s THOSE people we as doctors can’t stand.
Dr. Jones,
You are only echoing what most of the rest of us have witnesed at the grocery stores. We see healthy, strapping people come in to shop and we get behind them in the check out line. They are dressed to the nines’. They have recently been to the manicurist and their nails are at least 3 inches, nicely polished and they smell like they bathed in perfume. They have an expensive Blackberry and they are buying thick steaks. They whip out the old welfare card and pay for that. Not only that, but they are entitled to get “cash back” and if you pay close enough attention, you will see them haul their goodies out to the Escalade and return with the cash to buy beer and cigarettes. By the way, I have witnessed this going on for most of my 58 years. It’s not even funny how many times I have gone to the grocery store and witnessed this. That just tells me these are not isolated events. These same people are probably the ones that are screaming louder than anyone else about being treated UNFAIRLY.
I have a pay as you go phone because I don’t see the sense in paying a communications company a fee every month for something that I can have for free. In addition, I have worked hard all of my life, never asked for a hand out of ANY kind. I currently have TWO Jobs in this economy and I still cannot afford what these people buy.
Just call me burned up and without sympathy.
I am saddened to say that I CAN believe that so many people totally missed Dr Roger Starner Jones’ point. It’s the very reason someone can (and TOO many do!) live off the hard working tax payers in this country. Too many people defend and excuse such carelessness. If someone, anyone, everyone that looked as that patient looked and came to your front door and said “care for me because I want you to” would you? Believe it not … we (who work) do every time we earn a paycheck. The critics to Dr Jones’ letter made ASSUMPTIONS about whether or not Dr Jones cared for or treated what ailed her. He never alluded to having not done his job or how it affected his reimbursement. It was ASSUMED that Dr Jones’ specialty is not Psychology, just because he’s working in an Emergency Room. Can that be ASSUMED? Dr Jones never said anything in his letter concerning the patients’ ability to work or hold down a job. The critics ASSUMED he refused her treatment (breaching his training/oath). They ASSUMED his opinion tainted his course of care. They ASSUMED her race or ethnicity and her age. It’s a disgrace for someone to take from others in order maintain their own reckless lifestyle. NO ONE, I REPEAT, NO ONE DESERVES ANYthing MORE THAN WHAT HE OR SHE ===>>> E-A-R-N-S. Who am I to say that? The sole and primary owner of ME and what’s MINE – that which I’ve E-A-R-N-E-D. Those who CAN’T earn…family responsibility and obligation should be second nature and is to some compassionate-hearted families. Tolerance is a trait that is paling worldwide and when it comes to the needs of a family member…people should be ashamed of not banding together to care for their own loved ones in need. Whose responsibility are they? Not ours, but theirs! If you were that family member in need…wouldn’t/shouldn’t you go to your family before going to total strangers – who OWE YOU NOTHING? If it was MY family member taking away from YOUR lifestyle just because I wanted YOU to, would you be so negatively opinioned about what this doctor simply POINTED OUT? The case of this woman’s visit to the ER compares to a grown child asking you for hundreds of dollars (taking away from your own already stressed budget) for a medical procedure, or what ever, just for you to find out 2-3 weeks later that more hundreds of dollars were spent by that same grown child to purchase an elaborate present for a boy/girlfriend. I guess these critics would excuse or condone that, TOO. Figure it out people. We don’t have the luxury or time to continue allowing this blatant raping of our society by our own populace. And I AM SO BLASTED TIRED of people making excuses for it, throwing the ‘race card’ or the ‘stereotype card’ or the ‘profile card in on these matters and totally ignoring what is actually taking place in our society and this great country.
Dr. Jones thank you for this post. I wish more professionals like you would stand up against what is going on. Dr. Jones did not say anything about people who are justly deserving of Medicaid, nor justly deserving of wearing the clothes they wish too. He was saying only that what is being done in the country today with health care is not right. Many of us buy our own insurance. Many of us are told by our insurance companies that the emergency room is ONLY for emergencies. We pay for our insurance, however, there are those white, green, black, purple, pink, yellow, all sizes and shapes who have medicaid, who have the latest and greatest in cell phones, clothes, gold tooth, tattoos and piercings. The system has made it to easy for people to “milk the system” of what they see as “owed to them.” I for one am tired of these people bleeding every program dry. I don’t care about color of skin — that is not the point — the point is this…I PAY FOR MY INSURANCE, AND I DON’T HAVE MEDICAID, AND I DON’T HAVE CELL PHONES, AND I DON’T HAVE DESIGNER CLOTHES. So give me a break – you whiney hiney people that say behavior like that so very much demonstrated in our society today is right — it is wrong. Obama and his party are wrong for what they are trying to do to this country. We have become a nation of YOU OWE ME …. NO NO… That is very wrong. You should work hard and pay your way. We need more doctors to stand up like this.
The doctor’s point is that the patient he mentioned seemed to be able to afford health care as opposed to being on the dole. His letter was right on target.
You know, for everyone that responded to his comments that has had a job, has a job, retired, etc and have Medicaid – Medicare – HE was not aiming his rifled tongue (or pen) at you. There are PLENTY of Americans in day and time that cannot make ends meet. I was a Law Enforcement Officer for 12 years and was paid BELOW poverty level. The “Sheriff” at that time refused to allow single Mothers (and even married) with children to get food stamps because of the “image” that would portray to the citizens of our community. But yet the drug dealers (who do not claim that income), the thieves (who do not claim that income), the child molesters, etc (I think you get the point) were better off than HONEST – LAW ABIDING – HARD WORKING members of the society. Granted – I do not look at Medicaid – Medicare as a handout. I do look at it as a hand up. But you can only pull someone up for so long, and then you start dragging yourself down with them. There are too many that fall into that category now. There are too many that really don’t care if they can repay a loan or pay a hospital bill – because someone will pick up their slack – he did not say anyone and everyone who is on Medicare and Medicaid falls into that category. Are there people out there that deserve unemployment? YES! But I’m sure you can ask how many people you know that has at one time abused that system. Think logically PLEASE. Congrats Doc !
Miss Gwen,
The Jews were enslaved for hundreds of years and have endured severely debilitating cultural stereotyping and racism for centuries. And yet they persevere to be some of the most affluent members of American society. Most cultures who immigrated to America underwent a long period of racism, like Japanese, Irish, Italian, and yes, even African descent. Forget not that America put all the Japanese people in concentration camps… and they were American citizens! Countries make mistakes. Even though American racism was a great dark stain on American history, we should be able to reunite and move forward as one great nation. A nation which raises our children the believe that they must work hard to attain what they want. We must lead the way and teach by EXAMPLE. There will always be exceptions… but the hard line is that laziness breeds laziness, and industriousness breeds industriousness.
Now if only something will be done about the correctness of Dr.Jones’s letter!! It does not matter color or race Medicaid abuse and “poor me” is like a disease in this country because no one is saying no to any of the problems and abuses of the system and no accountability is placed on the participants of these programs. Great letter Doc
I agree with what Dr Jones is saying, as a Nurse I have taken care of many patients with simular situation. I have never understood how you can qualify for Medicaid but yet afford all the luxuries. As a single mother working full time I can barely afford the insurance for myself. But pay for my child’s insurance as I am just over the limit to qualify for any assistance. But barely can pay my bills, living paycheck to paycheck. With such a strick budget that we cannot eat out and I take my lunch every day to work. If we do need to use our insurance for labs or doctor, we still have so much more to pay. There is definately something wrong with the picture when illegals can get free insurance for them and all their family, free lunches for their children and free or assistance with children’s books at school. Also, they can get assistance with their utilities when I can barely pay mine. This new insurance reform is not for the working class, it is not going to benefit us in the long run. I am afraid it will only make this matter worse.
This is much larger than you hypocritical critics of Dr. Jones and you justifing your petty materialism and self-righteous judgement on the complaints of over taxed fellow citizens. It is completely misguided and shortsighted opinions that do not comprehending the cultural and collectivist vs. individualism worldview war that is obvious to all except the most naive. The new bulletless war (at least for now) is the fruition of the American Revolutionary [individual empowering] vs. French/European Revolution [collectivist/ eventual dictator empowering] away from monarchial form of government.
Have any of you that are attempting to justify every thing you own in your poverty ever considered what the true American individual empowering principles would call for? Things like empower the help to be channeled through the natural caregivers, families; then Churches, then local cities, then local government…but never a faceless centralized national government! Our families would have a totally different look than they do in our present growing family destroying system! Fewer divorces, fewer illigitimate childern, etc. You socialist think I’m exagerating, I’m sure, but your plan has repeated failed and only led to oppressive dictatorships wherever it was attempted. You’ll eventually be forced to justifiy why you burned boards from what had been your own private fence at one time to stay warm as in Dr. Zivago. Every bite of food more than your neighbor will have to be defended. Just rememeber, neither is Godless Capitalism any better than godless socialim…only capitalism is a tool but socialism is a humanist religion for Utopia on earth.
The Doctor made simple observations about what took place in his ER, and assumed and extrapolated to the health care insurance reform being attempted by congress, and not the President.
First, the Doctor and hospital will not refuse medical care to anyone who needs it, and passed these unpaid cost on to paying patients. 20% of our insurance premiums go to pay for those who do not pay, while the medical industry refuses to not treat those who do not pay. If the Doctors and nurses, and hospitols want to provide free services then they should eat it, and pay for it. Talk about a “culture Crisis”
Second, it an issue of access to health insurance. If you have a pre existing condition you cannot buy health insurance. Yet if you have employer provided health care you are covered. Worse case scenario, there may be a 180 day buy in period for a new employer health care policy, with some extreme pre existing conditions.
Yet, if you get cancer or are hit by an drunk driver, once you run out of vacation and sick days, and loose you full time employment status, you employers health care provider will drop your coverage. Good luck with the treatable cancer, or buying a health care policy on an open market that dose not exist.
Third to qualify for Medicare, at least in the state I live, you cannot have more than $7,000 in assets. So sell you house, drive a shit box, burn through you nest egg, and 401k, than get free health care that some one else is paying for. Yes Doctor these are the “choices” most people would want to make, vs having the ability to purchase an HMO policy.
So the Doctor makes a good point about choice and taking responsibility, but he fails to realize, people are locked out of the insurance market, unless you get it from an employer. And once you have major illness, you will loose it.
This is why single payer, or a public option, that you pay for needs to offered nation wide.
and nothing else.
I am really shocked that so many people are angry at the doctors comments!
He has the right to his opinions whether you agree or not!
And he is right! My sister-in-law is a nurse and my wife is a supervisor for ther county health dept. The story’s they could tell about the abuse they see and hear!
And why do we always play the race card and assume he is talking about a black person! There are all races of people that abuse the system!
He said these things because there are so many people out there that are tired of working their butt off to pay the bills of people that are capable of working but don’t want to because the government will pay the bill!
A.Miller – I am sorry that you got laid off! The verses you mention don’t apply to his comments! He gave an example of what typically peole that abuse the system do with the money they get! Extravegant lifestyle on the taxpayers money! I don’t think so!
I would more likely help someone as yourself that has worked and would work if you could! I don’t have anything fancy!
God blees you Dr.I know the majority of our saddened country feels the same way. Don’t be afraid to stick up for your rights anymore. We have enabled way to many scumbags for years. Let’s put an end to it before our pathetic leaders and the antichrist running this country destroys it.
Health care is deserved by all of us I agree. I also agree that if you can work get off your lazy ass and do it. Stop collecting a hand out because you can. Take some pride in this great country and help the rest of us get it back on it’s feet again. Congress ran it into the ground because we let them. Let’s stand up for ourselves before it’s to late.
“We reap what we sow?” Hmm…so a college graduate that had a good job with excellent benefits who was laid off and now working a part-time job with no benefits has to tell their child: “I’m sorry, I can’t pay for your $10,000.00 (yes, ten thousand dollar) bi-monthly treatments that will keep you alive because I reap what I sow?” I don’t think so. Are there people that take advantage? Of course! But don’t automatically categorize everyone that has medicaid in any form as a non-working, vice-addicted, loser! As for the handout comments, why don’t you start actually doing something about the deadbeat parents that do nothing to contribute to their children after the divorce? Maybe then you’d see a lot less of us on “welfare.” Shame on everyone that generalizes people like that.
Or, how about this, Dr.? Maybe you and all of your colleagues across the U.S., including pharmaceutical companies, could lower your rates and/or do a lot more pro bono work?
Last, but not least, kiss mine. I hope I never have to see you in an emergency. I’d rather have my arm amputated.
The majority of Americans want everyone to have healthcare and to be able to afford it. We are the only industrialized country on the planet that does not provide healthcare for its citizens. There are so many good people, who are willing to work, but can’t find it right now. There are also people who are independent contractors who pay exorbitant fees for their healthcare and get almost nothing for it. They are plain old middle-class Americans without tattoos. (Although I have nothing against tattoos.) My sister is in this boat. She and her husband are college-educated and their children have asthma which because they moved to find work is now considered to be a pre-existing condition. They have to pay for all asthma medications out of pocket on top of their high health care premiums. 60% of Americans who file for bankruptcy do so because someone in their family has had a catastrophic illness like cancer. We’re Americans. We can do so much better for all of our citizens. I think that we should all be thinking, there, but for the grace of God, go I. I also pray that my mother and my aunt who are on medicare never end up in Dr. Jones’ ER. I know it’s not the same as Medicaid, but who knows, some people might start to feel that the elderly are too much of a burden. Also, I know to doctors that it’s frustrating that some people still smoke. I understand that, but it IS an addiction that is very hard to quit. I would hope that an ER doctor understands that.
I can’t help but notice that the good doctor offers no solution or remedy for this ah cultural crisis…
I work in an emergency room, too (WORK, being the operative word), and agree that there is a culture crisis as Dr. Jones described. If I let myself think about it too long, it will eat me alive. The patients in question do not receive any less attention or care because of their payor status, and frequently they get disproportionately MORE attention because they are needy and entitled. I wish Obama had the time to spend a day or a week with me on the job to get an idea of what health care is really about.
LOL – when I read the article, I thought, “That’s my niece he’s describing!” And people, she’s as white as white can be… just sayin’
I hear what the Dr is saying and I hear what so many are saying that they can’t get assistance because their income is a dollar or 2 above the limit. These are the people that need they “assistance”. They are not asking for a hand out only a hand up. When our son was laid off back in the 80′s and his wife worked, they went to see about getting medical help for 1 of their 3 young children, because he had bronchitis. They too had an income just over the limit. It just doesn’t make sense.
While discussing healthcare coverage with my Dr. he told me the following: he had a patient from Nepal, who had been in the USA 4 months, spoke minimal broken English, and had no intentions of becoming a citizen yet had full medical coverage compliments of the USA taxpayers. My question, how and why can we cover these people but can’t cover our own citizens?
Interesting and true but saddening and dissappointing. After Katrina, we were put on Medicaid and food stamps by FEMA. It was a gift for us since my hubby was laid off of his teaching job so the insurance company dropped us. Both of my kids had allergies which lead to asthma for them. My husband suffered severe migraines and I am anemic. With money on halt, Medicaid and Food Stamps were such a gift to us! But after 6 months of turning lemons into lemonade in GA, we got off food stamps. After 1 yr in GA we dropped Medicaid and decided to buy our own health inurance. We spend a minimum of $10,000 each year on health insurance which includes our premium and our high end deductible. When I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, the insurance co. increased our premium an additional $120/mo. What gift we found when the insurance co. covered my hubby’s surgery in December 2009. It was $14,000. The insurance issue is a problem since many take advantage of the system and because insurance companies can raise your premium at any point they choose. For many honest, hard-working people like my husband and myself who were affected by Katrina and other life circumstances, we are fortunate to have received this assistance. But obviously, this gift is not meant to be a long term handout but instead a boost until you balance your personal finances.
There are a lot of passions raised here and some good points, but THE point seems to be missed by everyone. Back in the days of the Clinton Campaign (The husband) the slogan was IT’S THE ECONOMY STUPID. Today we might say IT’S THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM STUPID.
The system is based on a certain assumption which is not, in fact, valid.
Assumption: Everyone should have health care, it is a basic human right.
Truth: Health care is a service like any other service which costs money and for which people should be compensated.
Right now, if you are still reading this, you may be feeling very upset with me, and think I am a very cold an cruel person – an elitist or someone who is simply saying the rich should be the only ones who have health care. Hear me out first.
I would love it if when we were born we could be guaranteed the best of health care forever. I would also like to be guaranteed that I could live in a mansion with a swimming pool. I think I deserve it! However, I think that even the most liberal communist or socialist out there will admit that is not practical.
Our Constitution and Declaration of Independence talk about our natural rights, and the rights of all people. They are such things as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but they do not include health care. You see, these natural rights that we are all born with do not require that someone else pay for them. So for that reason they are natural. If someone has to come in and give me something in order for me to have a “right” then it is no longer natural, but artificial. Such a “right” is health care.
Even if it could be accomplished, it is quite likely that there would be less incentive to be one of the people paying for other people’s care than one of the people receiving care from other people. I don’t know about you, but if someone will give me something without my having to earn it, I stop trying to earn it.
This does not mean that charity is bad. Charity is good. I give to charities and I am glad I do, but Charity is VOLUNTARY, not MANDATORY. There is a word for when someone takes something from you by force that you have earned, and another word for the same situation when it is sanctioned by law.
If health care is in fact a right, then we should all have an equal level of health care. By the simple fact that doctors have different skill and intelligence levels, this could never be accomplished. Health care must, by necessity be unequal in how it is applied. If it must always be applied unequally then how can it be an equal right that all people should enjoy?
Like it or not, Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, Communist or Nazi, the fact remains that health care is delivered by people who work hard and long to attain the skills to be able to deliver health care. It is also takes a lot of costly stuff (medicine, machines, etc.) to deliver health care. These things have to be paid for which means someone has to work just as hard as these doctors practitioners and other other people in the health care industry work in order to pay for it. Whoever those people are, they are the suckers of society. The cost of health care is the largest cost in the of any industry sector in the US. This is not a minor amount of money.
The assumption that it is a right is not a valid assumption. There can be other assumptions, such as we as a country want to find a way to make it possible for people who can’t pay for health care to give something back to the system in exchange for health care when they need it. Or we as a country want to make charity for health care much easier for people to contribute to by removing all taxes on it instead of having a cap.
Maybe these ideas are not good ones but the point is that there are ways to skin this cat that don’t require the assumption of a “right” that is not a right. As long as we continue to base our health care system on this this false “right” it will continue to fail and be point of contention that is socially divisive – leading to continued trouble for the nation.
Well Well …I can really say the good Dr hit it right on the nail.
I just finished applying for my social security and medicare. Since our good President has been in office he has accomplished more than the average person knows.
I can’t draw full benefit from my deceased husband because he chose to get SS at an earlier age (62) and then had the nerve to die on me. But the SS was not his choice it was to help pay the medical bills of cancer and he still died after using all of his retirement, taking early SS and using it to for medical. By the way, co pays never go into 100%. And his co pays were up to 875. per month at his death.
Now I am penalized for him getting sick so I have to take the same lower rate of SS because he had to take it early to pay medical bills.
Wow! how lucky I am that our goverment not only purnishes us for getting sick but also purnishes the widow for the sickness too.
Now I am going to have to work til the day I die becuase the government thinks I don’t deserve full benefit because of his illness. WoW…
But the good Dr is right about one thing. I know of at least 20 black women on medicaid, as matter of fact they refuse the health insurance at their jobs and take medicaid. That gives them the money they make to buy name brands and big cars and they live in government housing and live with men who move out when they get pregnant and move back in when the baby is born, the man makes 50K + per year and they live high on the hog with the money saving nothing. The children go without while Mom & boyfriend eat drink and be merry and the government takes care of all medical, housing and education and food.
What have we done. President FD Roosevelt said welfare is a temporary means until ones returns to work WHAT ! why they have found a way for welfare to be an income. The next thing you hear is they will expect it to be used as income and draw social security on it at retirement age or better yet at disability from drugs, and such.
I go along with the DR. let them go to work, and furnish their own way.
Well I agree with the Dr …..whoever said it is the responsibility of others to raise someone ‘s else children. help out from time to time but take them on as another dependent by paying for their healthcare while the parents should stop smoking, drinking, partying and they could do it themselves.
Oh! don’t go there, I was the 7th child in line of 8, my Dad was a drunk and my Mom ended the marriage in divorce. She went to work and we managed on her income. We took care of ourselves and we had health issues but she managed to pay for us to have medical care and dental care. She had a running balance with both. She was well respected in the community and people admired her. She did not expect handouts, and did not ask for them
What she did do was barter for things, you know trade outs.
But more than that, when I turned young lady age, she set me down and said now that you are old enough to leave this home without assistance from me, you will be making choices. Some will be good, some not so good. But one will be a forever choice, she choose to have a child, it is your responsibility from the day of conception and make no bones about it you will be the only responsible party to love, feed and clothe it. I love you and I take care of you and you need to know that as a choice of responsibility you too will be expected to take care of your choices. I listened and watch other girls in the community make wrong choices and their lives went downhill. Mine is ok, I work and I will work until I die, but I am proud to say I live to give and work to live.
I say the Dr is right, get up work and take care of yourself and if you can’t afford it don’t buy un necessary items.
I’m with you doc.
As for the back and forth in this conversation, I see it pretty simply. We are NOT entitled to affordable healthcare. Period. We are not entitled to this any more than we are entitled to food, shelter OR a job. The saying goes “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, NOT “Life, Liberty, and Affordable Healthcare”!
I live in New York State, once called the Empire State, but now should be called The Welfare State! We have the cadillac of health care for the poor and the highest taxes in the country to pay for it. I’ve been in line at the drug store to pick up a prescription and over heard a conversation between a pharmacist and a customer. He advised her that her prescription wasn’t phoned in by her dr., but she could buy a over the counter drug that was the same as the prescription drug. Her reply was, I’m not spending my money on that cause medicaid will pay for that! and it goes on and on. Thats just the tip of the iceberg here in NY.
Welfare in this state gets, free cell phones, cars, utility bills payed for, and the more kids you have the more money you get from NY State, and best of all, they are proud of being on welfare! A few comments that I have heard are: paying with food stamps and proud of it!, keep working so I can keep getting welfare and medicaid! and it goes on and on. And yes, they seem to all have tatoos, expensive shoes, and attitudes!! I can only hope the rest of the country doesn’t go down the same road as NY State has gone!!
This Doctor needs to the meaning of “diversity” and how misused words can hurt! He says this is a culture “thing”! I’ve said for years that people live outside of their means. That is not a government issue — it’s a parental issue for not teaching children “values”! The government didn’t raise these people! This Doctor might have had the intelligence to pass the tests and practicals to be a physician .. certainly he was not taught how to “explain” himself in a diverse culture of today! Get a life Doctor!
Thank you Dr. Jones. Bravo.
As young physician that has worked in healthcare- starting as an EMT in college- I could not agree more.
His letter succintly conveys the frustration many healthcare professionals share with individuals that exhibit an arrogant sense of entitlement and feel no obligation to take responsibility for their actions/choices.
As many have already stated, I fully support welfare, unemployment, medicaid, etc for those that have fallen on hard economic times. But an individual- white, black, hispanic, etc- that make such assistance his/her lifestyle disgusts me.
And before the ultra liberal, politically correct brigade attack my supposed cushy affluent upbringing, a litte about me. I was raised by a single working mother that at times (as opposed to regularly) collected food stamps and never indulged herself or her children in name brand attire, electronics, etc. I lied and said I was 13 when I was 10 so I could deliver newspapers in my neighborhood before school. I got through college with academic scholarships and part time jobs, including working in the Emergency Department where I cared for individuals from the same economic background as me.
I am intimately aware that, with decent work ethic and sacrifice, anybody in this country can provide for themselves at least most of the time.
Dear Dr. What you have presented us with is a great example of an educated holier-than-thou professional, engaged in class baiting. My only thought here is that I hope you never run for public office – and I pity any poor soul that ends up in your ER if the patient is outside the realm of your socio-economic class. As for your specific complaints, I suggest that you have a personal talk with your staff who take their smoke-breaks off hospital grounds, send soulful messages to the NFL and others re their beer commercials, check the ring-tones on your daughter’s a/o grandchildren’s cell phones, as well as checking the cost of their tennis shoes along with the cost of footwear of your closest high school basketball and tennis teams (Might want to check your own, along with your golf and polo shoes). Doc – as for the pretzels – read a basic health jounal and you will find that they are one of the healthiest snack foods. To bad you do not spend your energy advocating for the prosecution of physicians and others in the medical field that are defrauding the system of millions every month – then you might be worthy of listening to (but I seriously doubt it). There is one good thing however: that you make your prejudice and hate public. It is always good to know who may be holding a scalpel at your throat when one is on a ventilator. But for your own mental health, I suggest three options: move to a) Beverly Hills (but beware of those gold teeth), an Amish community, or broaden your horizon if you dare, and leave the country – for Haiti or Physicians Without Borders. On the other hand don’t – they probably would not accept you.
p.s. Again, for your good, you best not look at your son’s shoulder above the t-shirt sleeve, or your daughter’s backside – you know that little area right below the panty line – for you might spot the delicate bright design you abhor.
This first paragraph is to Ruth – It is truely ignorant to say what you have and question if the doctor is really doing his job. Only because you do not personally know, and neither do I. I don’t claim to praise the Dr. on his work, and I dont try to come up with hypothetical reasons for why he acted the way he did or what he did to help. As an emergency responder I can personally tell you that there are more people as described by Dr. Starner than you can possibly imagine,
and oath or not that doesn’t mean he isn’t entitled to an opinion, that means that legally he’s obligated to help someone who is in medical need.
He didn’t accuse a certain race for it so it isn’t racism, he didn’t give out the patients name so even if the patient did recognize the scenario there is no HIPPA Laws preventing him from stating the moment he recalled, overweight fat people are all aware of their malnutrition seeing as diabetes in 2005 killed 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE according to the World Health Organization, and guess who that greatly effects, fat people. Even if they aren’t aware then they are just as bad as excessive smokers or over-indulgent drinkers who should be aware that they are slowly killing themselves anyway, even if the times are hard and peope treat each other poorly, guess what, life is hard! The strongest survive and the weakest die that is the survival of the fittest.
Now when the people who spend $150+ on a pair of shoes and $90+ on a jersey and $300+ covering themselves in tattoos that is $540+ dollars. Now lets say they spent $50 on a pair of comfortable shoes that they can use they save $100+, and they buy clothes at wal-mart and spend $15 on a polo they save $75+, and they just forget getting a tattoo they save $300+, total they save $475+ dollars which equates to 23 different $20 dollar co-pays or 13 different 35 dollar co-pays. Seeing as the average person doesn’t go to the DR but maybe 3-5 times a year (and thats still quite a few) at a $20 co-pay thats $415 for medication and at a $35 co-pay thats $300 for medication. Just from changing the shoes and shirt you wear as well as refusing to ink yourself up.
And if you are one of the fortunate ones who does have a 31″ waistline congrats, apparently you don’t have diabetes which means less money to spend on the DR.
Also it isn’t revealing information about a patient unless you state the patients name as well as the patients name and reason why the patient was seen so you may want to actually sign a HIPPA contract and read it before you make legal accusations, yet again though I am only a firefighter who has signed this document, but what would I know?
And to the military wives out there, you to should be ashamed. There are things out there called grants and loans. These grants and loans are given out by the same government that pays your husband for his 30 years of service as an officer, which means he went to a college and got a degree and most likely the military paid for it using a little thing called the montgomery GI bill which pays for every active duty or inactive duty soldiers further education as long as they actually are furthering their education and haven’t been dishonerably discharged and if your husband didn’t use this then I’m sorry he was on officer because surely uou would expect an officer to think of getting financial aid if he qualifies… or maybe I’m the only one out there who knows about it. By the way my father was in Vietnam and he used his GI bill to go through school so its been around for a little while now.
To the people who assume R&B Music is only appreciated by african-amercians, go to a club in downtown houston called The Roxy or Rich’s and you will find people of all creeds, colors, and ethnicities including white “busting a move” to some form of R&B whether it be Usher, Beyonce, or any other artist for that matter of that genre so who is stereotyping now?
Yet again as an emergency responder there is no preference to white patients, (yes I am a white male), and I have helped white, black, yellow, green, blue, whatever the hell you want to call. I have helped , whites, asians, mexicans, latins, europeans, and so forth and all with the same amount of professionality as the other. If you want to get technical more races hate white people than there are white people to hate other races. If that isn’t true then why is the an NAACP but no NAAWP? It only offends me only because if an “ethnic” person and a “white” person take the same classes in school the “ethnic” person is more likely to get aid. The “ethnic” person also gets points alotted to them while taking certain test for jobs because of their skin colour and not because of their work ethics or skill.
I’m sorry people get cancer, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and has been cancer free since 2001 and my best friends father has mesothelioma and he is not going to make it. I’m sorry people get laid off, thats because of politicians and CEO’s not because of a DR and what his statement about social ethics is. To call his letter racist is to call yourself racist for having a biased opinion with no hard facts, only hard opinions.
And now last but not least dont think that because someone said that someone has medicaid and it’s becuase they don’t know how to spend money refers to everyone on medicaid. There are millions of people who deserve to be on it and there are millions of people who don’t. Next time use a common sense judgement before coming to the conclusion that he’s referring to everybody. And personally it’s up to you whether or not you go to his emergency because he will help, even if he doesn’t agree with you he will help, even if you sit and curse him all night, he’ll be there through it all doing everything in his power to help save your life, but apparently that isn’t worth his 2 cents worth.
You all have a great day, month, year, and life and the next time you want to jump to an accusation think about both sides. He has to make a living as well.
I find it funny that some people here are assuming the doctor is racist and is describing a black patient by “reading between the lines” of his letter. What I got from his comments was the idea that a person will spend money on junk (such as money for a gold tooth, money to buy a cell phone ringtone, money for tattoos, cigarettes, etc.) but not money on actual necessities, leaving that to the taxpayer to take care of. I say bravo to the doctor for speaking his mind and voicing what many others are thinking.
Dr Jones is dreaming in technocolour. Does he really think that “you’ll be amazed at how quickly our nation’s health care difficulties will disappear” if this so called ‘cultural crisis’ changes?
The last I heard are that 60%-70% of Americans are covered by Private Insurance. I don’t think they are any more healthy than Canadians, Germans, Sweds, Danish, French, Italian etc. etc. etc.
In fact the USA citizen’s health is probably poorer than the aforementioned countries with obesity and related ailments as reported in the American press. I would think many of these people are under private health plans.
Dr Jones is protecting his income…which is fine but please his rational in this case is misdirected. I doubt that he recognizes this himself.
OK, I have to respond.
I know that each of us is preaching to his/her own choir, but I have to state the counter arguments to this very limited perspective…
First of all Dr. Jones does an interesting job painting a portrait of what he views to be a person who wastes money any chooses only the luxuries in life.., of someone who is apparently unworthy of medical care. Just for perspective sake, let us note that over all gold crowns last longer than porcelain, causes less damage to opposing teeth, and cost about the same as a porcelain/metal combo. Many people would choose the all porcelain crown, especially in a noticeable place, but these are the most expensive. The appearance of a gold tooth may conflict with the Dr.’s personal sense of style, but it does not reflect a poor spending habit on the part of the patient.
As for the phone, I know many people who only have a cell phone and no home phone due to the expense issue. (I include some physicians I know personally in this statement). And ring tones are often free or very cheap – even R&B. He is comparing maybe $3 a month for a ring-tone to $600.00 plus for insurance? I do hope that anyone calculating medication doses is more savvy at math than thatcomparison indicates.
The Doctor also reflects upon the poor health choices of the patient in question. I do believe that cigarettes are addictive and cause many significant health problems. Unfortunately, I believe that regulation in that department has been a very slow battle – and one many smokers and cigarette companies do not feel should be regulated at all. A person’s economic position – whether poor or rich – really does not dictate a right for addiction and drug abuse in relation to insurance coverage. (Yes, nicotine is a drug) Trust me, all of you who do pay private insurance premiums are paying a lot more to cover your fellow insured smokers.
The fact is we are all paying for the healthcare costs of both the insured and uninsured. When people with insurance do not take care of themselves, and need high cost care (or even when those of us who do take care of ourselves need expensive interventions and end-of-life care), insurance premiums reflect the cost. Insurance companies are for profit. Employers are having to cover the brunt of these rising costs. Many “respectable” individuals are uninsured due to the expense. Many children are uninsured. The number of under-insured is frightening… Does this doctor seriously believe that a comprehensive plan of care is going to reward this patient or any other?? Does he seriously believe it is going to save us money as a society to continue to not provide basic care?? It is going to continue to cost us money as a society not to do so. Denying health coverage to those believed to be taking advantage of the system (and to everyone else who happens to be misfortunate enough to be uninsured) will not only fail to remedy such a situation, but makes very poor economic sense.
WE pay for increasing insurance prices; WE pay to cover those who lack care by increased medical costs; WE pay as a society by un-needed sick time off when illnesses progress due to lack of treatment; WE pay a s a culture when we do not take care of our children…. Doctors, on the other hand, make more money under a private insurance model. Only some doctors are willing to accept that consequence.
Anyone can go to an emergency room for treatment!! The cost of an an ER visit is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than for a primary care doctor’s visit. Your hospital charges are higher to cover these discrepancies. Not only would the appointment be cheaper to go to a primary care doctor or nurse practitioner when necessary, but regular access would allow the patient to get counseling and advice on wellness issues such as cigarette smoking and poor nutrition. Did Dr. Jones take the time to address these issues with the patient in question, or did he choose to spend his time writing about why she was unworthy of adequate medical coverage?
Please think it over, even if you are not a member of my choir.
Jo
The good doc reminds me of the dog that bites that hand that feeds him. Ask just about any family doctor in the rural or small town South what percentage of his/her practice is funded by medicare or medicaid. Most would be out of business if it weren’t for these aspects of that dreaded word “socialism”.
While it’s very true that we all should live a lifestyle that’s conducive to good health, it’s also true that as a modern society we should have universal healthcare for all of our citizens. Period.
The term socialism is often misunderstood and misused. First, there’s “pure socialism”, which I do not support. One definition of pure socialism is when government (the people collectively) owns and controls the manufacture and distribution of all goods and services. As a capitalist, of course, I don’t support that ideology. However, “aspects” of socialism are not inconsistent with democracy and free markets. In fact, all democracies that I’m aware of, including ours in the USA, does incorporate aspects of socialism.
Have those of you who oppose government sponsored health care for all of our citizens considered the other aspects of our society that have long been socialized? For example, we have in America:
A socialized military
A socialized highway and roads system (mostly)
A socialized education system (Public schools)
Socialized police and fire protection services
Socialized national and state parks
Socialized Public libraries
Socialized Medical Insurance for the elderly and disabled
The list goes on. These are to name but a few aspects of socialism that are a part of our society, even though many people wouldn’t or don’t like to think of these services as socialism. But, in fact, they are.
Even in our so called free market economy we have a blend of socialism and capitalism. Here in Tennessee anytime that the state or a municipal government offers financial incentives to private enterprise to entice them to locate their business here, that is socialism.
If you are an employee of the federal, state or local government and if your health insurance is paid in full or in part by your employer, you are, in a sense, already a beneficiary of socialized medicine. This would include a public school janitor, class room teacher and all the folks in the administrative office of that school. Also included would be policemen, firemen, congress critters, various city, county, state, and federal offices, and anyone else who works for any branch of government and whose insurance is paid by the government (the people). If you fall into this category, your health care is paid for by the people and is therefore socialized medicine. I’m not saying that this is bad or undesirable. No. I’m saying that it’s a form of socialism.
While we’re discussing already existing aspects of socialism in our country, let’s not forget one of the largest beneficiaries of socialized medicine in America: The drug industry. Can you imagine having a business that provides products (drugs) to 40,000,000 people? To be clear, that forty million people. Now, this number reflects only medicare and medicaid patients (customers), not private insurance or self pay customers.
The US government, of course, pays for the drugs for these 40 million customers. And, here’s where the corruption comes in. The drug industry lobbyists actually wrote the legislation (that was passed by Congress and enacted into law by former President Bush) which makes it illegal for the US government to negotiate for lower prices on the drugs that the government buys from the drug industry. This cozy little relationship between Congress and the drug industry is, in reality, more akin to fascism. It’s true that from the viewpoint of the recipients of the drugs this system is a form of socialized medicine. Really, it is and the concept is a good thing. However, the system that allows the drug industry to charge whatever they wish for their drugs, often at extortionist prices and paid for by the American taxpayer, is blatant corruption and immoral collusion between our government and one of our largest industries. It most certainly is not based on anything that one could call “free market”. No, it’s legal price fixing. It’s also shameful that the American people seem to think that this corrupt arrangement is perfectly acceptable.
Moving on along with our topic of Socialism in America:
Any farmer, the very backbone of our nation, who receives any government subsidy in any form is a beneficiary of socialism. The American Farm Bureau, for example, is a powerful organization that lobbies Congress on behalf of its members. I’m a member of the Tennessee Farm Bureau and proud of it, even though I’m not a farmer. That doesn’t mean that I agree with all of the positions of the TFB.
All of us who consume dairy products enjoy the benefits of the Dairy Product Price Support Program administered by the USDA. This program is a form of socialism that helps dairy farmers to remain in business and helps consumers to be able to buy affordable dairy products. Personally, I don’t know of anyone who would cheerfully pay $10-15 for a gallon of milk. That’s likely what we’d be paying at the grocery if we didn’t have the Dairy Product Price Support Program. Though we may not think of it as such, this is a form of socialism that most of support, I think.
Though I’m not yet sure of the best way to provide government funded health care for all of our citizens, what system to implement, it is inevitably coming to America. I hope that it will be a cooperative effort, a joint venture of some kind between the government and private health care providers.
A recent article and health care survey published in US News and World Reports (not exactly a bastion of liberalism!) offers some interesting insight and perspective on the satisfaction of the people with their health care in 5 nations:
http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowchart/2009/09/15/4-countries-with-better-healthcare-than-ours-
http://www.gallup.com/poll/8056/healthcare-system-ratings-us-great-britain-canada.aspx
http://www.correntewire.com/personal_comment_healthcare_here_and_canada
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/72229.html
As Paul Harvey used to say, now, there’s the rest of the story.
I could not agree more. There are several people in my life who receive disability, food stamps and other aid. HOWEVER these same people get their nails done regularly, go to expensive hair salons, smoke cigarettes, buy all sorts of lovely things for their homes, etc. Those on disability enjoy active lives and don’t have to go to work. I on the other-hand am a N.Y.C. Public School teacher, who rises early each weekday to make my commuter rush hour way into work. I have trouble making ends meet and lead a very simple, bare-bones life. There is a major problem with all this. I will say however, that I love my job and when i go to sleep at night I have a sense of pride and know that what I do has value.
The issue is not whether or not the “rich” should help the “poor”. Of course we should if we can. That is God’s way. It should be our way. The issue is force versus freedom, whether or not government should be able to force me to be charitable, whether or not it’s my property or the government’s, whether I’m free to choose when I want to be charitable, or when I think I can afford to be charitable, or not. Freedom means the right to be selfish or unselfish, a bigot or a friend, as long as we don’t tread on others’ rights. The government is not God, although the politicians apparently would like to be. They are not up to it. That’s why We The People did not endow them with the sovereignty He gave to us when He made us free, when He gave us Inalienable rights and thus made us sovereigns. We are the sovereigns, and our choice of charity is between us and God. Government forced welfare always destroys a society economically, and then in other ways. But voluntary welfare allows the productive (call it lucky if you want, that’s OK with me) citizen to retain enough “seed corn” to continue to be productive and charitable in the future. TAD
P.S. The Constitution does not empower the national governent to involve itself in welfare or health insurance AT ALL. On a state or local level, at least that passes constitutional muster – - whether or not it is a good idea on the merits is another matter – - but at least it’s more controllable on that level. Our Founding Fathers were right. We should obey our own law or amend it. If We The People want to amend the Constitution to allow the federal government this power, I’ll go along with it, but not until then.
I couldn’t agree with Dr. Jones more! Hear, Hear!!
I’ve never met a poor person that didn’t have a nice home stereo system, a nice TV, and full cablevision. And yet they are poor?
My parents came from poor beginnings to achieve solid, middle-class status. But some of my family still are “poor”. One of my uncles routinely calls my mom to borrow some money (this is the only time she ever hears from him). Yet, he has a wide-screen TV and expanded-full cablevision (the kind that has all of the sports channels). Yet, he sits at home and doesn’t work. Just cashes his Gov’t check every month.
The problem is, Dr. Jones, you’re already paying for her health care.
Dr. Jones’ problem isn’t a black woman with gold caps.
Dr. Jones’ problem is that he should get out of medicine and be a shoe salesman.
When Dr. Jones applied for med school, he went through a series of 3 interviews with med school professors. I guarantee you that one, if not all, of the professors asked him one certain question. “Why do you want to be a doctor?”
And Dr. Jones, like hundreds of thousands of applicants before him gave the same answer hundreds of thousands had given before him, “Because I want to help people.” Or, “I want to make a difference in peoples’ lives”. I absolutely promise you that.
Now, as a highly trained ER physician, Dr. Jones is making considerably more than $250,000. (Much less if he’s just a resident) Last I heard, that was the STARTING salary for ER docs. He works 40-48 hours a week. He can take a month off and go to the Greek Isles for vacation. He gets to work on time, checks out with the crew that’s going off duty, works, and goes home to his home and his family and never worries about his job until he gets there for his next shift. He has plenty of time for his family, for backyard BBQs in the summer evenings, for fishing and hunting. He has a boat, a McMansion, doesn’t worry much about putting his kids through college, and can buy pretty much anything he really wants. He can save plenty for retirement and can retire in his 50s on a large income.
Now, I’m not begrudging him his money. He earns it just as I do. I, too, answered the question the same way when I applied to med school. I, too, am a highly trained physician.
But I get to work at 7 AM, work usually until 9 or 10 AM, come home, barely have strength to find a bite to eat; then fall into bed and do it all again the next day. At night, I frequently dream about patients, going from room to room in my dreams, examining and treating as best I can. I sometimes wake up at 3 in the morning, startled, and am thinking, “Did I order an ultrasound of the liver in Mrs. X who came in with right upper abdominal pain? She’s at risk for liver cancer. I hope I ordered that.” Or, “Mr. Z was in today with that bad cough. Did I forget to order the chest xray? ”
And when I wake up in the mornings, I sometimes can’t remember whether something happened in one of those dreams or in ‘real life’ and I worry about it for an hour before deciding it was a dream.
I can’t take a vacation lasting longer than 10 consecutive days before of the way our call schedule works. I can only rarely get off on a Monday because that’s the busiest day and it takes all 4 physicians there and working full force.
and for all that, I started at about half of what he started at. And even now, 27 years later, I make only about half of what he makes. I’ve one raise in 7 years of 5%. And I wouldn’t do anything else in the world.
When I see a patient, and see the gold caps and the patient smells like an ash tray (or worse) and they say, “I can’t afford the $4 Wal Mart prescription… give me some samples,” it makes me angry too because they obviously can afford the $5 they just blew into the air as cigarette smoke. And their liver disease sometimes indicate they’ve had more than a couple of ‘social drinks’ a day.
But I don’t see them as a waste of my time or as someone who isn’t deserving of at least a moderate degree of health, of having their pain relieved, or of leaving their children fatherless. I see another human being in distress, or requiring something to make them well if possible or at least more comfortable if not.
Dr. Jones is the disgrace, not that black woman who drinks and smokes. He’s making a judgement and will be, in turn, judged. (And I’m making a judgement on him, yes.)
“Crisis of culture?” Maybe so, but Dr. Jones isn’t doing anything to contribute to a solution to that. He spends his time writing letters complaining about his patients. Why isn’t he in Haiti helping thousands of severely injured people on one of his month long vacations? He could at least help THAT culture. How many people might perish because he’s in the Greek Isles fuming that some black woman with gold caps didn’t appreciate his work?
Now let me be clear: I’m not perfect. I’m not a paragon of virtue myself. There are some patients I really don’t like. I mean, I’d rather someone whipped me with a big leather belt than to go into a room to see an arrogant, nasty, smelly, ungrateful, irresponsible patient. But you know what? I feel shame after it’s over for feeling that way. It bothers me when I go home and think about Jesus hanging out with the poor and the sinners, the tax collectors and the sick. I know I’m not up to that example.
And when I drag my lazy ass out of bed the next morning at 5:30 AM, grumbling and dreading a 12-14 hour workday for less money than Joe the Plumber makes, I eventually (usually HOURS later) remember that God blessed me with rising from a dirt-poor kid to a guy with an education most people will never get. I’m thankful that I get to use my love of science and my love of my fellow humans beings to a good cause.
Dr. Jones and I have both saved lives. He never sees most of his patients again after their emergency. I see mine once of month, once a quarter, once a year, and they trust me with their very lives.
They trust me with their very lives. How many people can say that?? I have little 3 and 4 year olds that give me a big hug with I go into the room and they cry when they have to see some other doctor if I can’t get them in that day. I may be in excruciating pain with my terrible arthritis or be nauseated with some stomach crap, but when I come out of the room, I have the best feeling in the whole world. Talk about a case of the ‘warm fuzzies’!!!! It’s what gets me through the day. I mean something to more than several thousand people. I’m important to their lives. And I know it.
Dr. Jones, in my view, should quit writing letters and think about the unbelievable privilege he has to make a difference in the world. He should come home from work nearly in tears of gratitude that he’s been trusted to literally take someone’s life into his hands and maybe save a life.
I’m not God, and I don’t know whether, when I come crawling up to the Pearly Gates, God will weigh my good deeds against my many many faults and say, “Oops!!! You have so many faults and sins that you just haven’t measured up. Come on in, but you could have done a lot better.” Or whether he’ll say, “Enter, my good and faithful servant.”
I hope that I’ll see some of my old patients there (hopefully not too many too soon!!) and that they’ll smile at me as I wander through trying to tune that darned harp. (Harps are hard to tune.)
If Dr. Jones delivered the care he delivers with a heart that’s grateful to God for allowing him to do so, THAT will go a long way toward “fixing the system” too.
I read Dr. Jones comments with a great deal of interest. In a way I can see both sides of the problem because I have lived so long.
I grew up in the depression. My father died of a stroke quite young and left my mother with 8 children. She had married young and had really little education. There were 5 children at home still when our father died. I was crawling and my mother was carrying her 8th baby.
We grew up during the age of President Roosevelt. If you do not know that was during the great depression. I can remember standing in line to received commodies (staples/food). This just killed my mother. She hated to take the free food but not having a job, nor the education to get one, and there were hardly any jobs around, she had to. Finally she got a job in a restaurant in the small town (1,000 pop) that we lived. I remember one day she came home and told us that a man had thrown a bowl of soup in her face because it was not hot enough. I, being only about 7 years old, indignently said “well, why didn’t you quit your job?” She just laughed. And said “because I have to feed my children.” She hated to take the handouts. Our father had always had a good job in the oil fields, but on his death there was no insurance. My mother taught us that the honest thing to do was WORK. She was disgusted with the man next door who sat on his porch much of the day drinking beer. Yes, he was on welfare. Was he out trying to find a job. No, he was not.
We lived not far from the railroad tracks and there would be men looking for work. And the news on the rails spread fast among those men riding the rails and looking for work. And they passed along the information about where you could find a meal. Outside the door of our little house was a chair and a wash pan where those who knocked on the back door could sit and share whatever we had to eat that day.
My point: We were poor. But my mother said you work for what you get in this world. You don’t beg. Yes, there are needy people who need help sometimes. And as poor as we were we shared the veggies from the garden, and the eggs from our few chickens, and the milk from our one cow. And my mother did the best she could and taught us we always tried to care for ourselves and help others when we could. But she also taught us the guy next door who could have looked for work but spent is time goofing off was not the way to go.
I have never forgotten the hard times we had. But the strength of our mother and her good advise as to how to live our lives has always stayed with us. By herself she raised a fine family. And she only had an education to the 8th grade.
I was relaying part of the story the other day to an avid supporter of our current President and his plans for our health. And I told her the story about my mother and her feelings about the man next door who would not look for work but would sit on the porch and drink beer. Her comment was “well, your mother was SMALL MINDED!” Her remark was so ridiculous I almost laughed out loud. And that seems to be the mind set of many people nowadays. What ever happened to the idea of pulling yourself up by your own boot straps and get off your duff and try and find a job and care for yourself and LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. Now, before someone jumps all over me I am NOT saying do not help people who need (truly need) help. My mother helped many people. But today, LET THE GOVERNMENT DO IT and the rest of us who have jobs and work pay for it. My husband and I have helped many many people during our lifetime who really needed it. But I refuse to buy into these misguided ideas that our current President and his backers have. And America, we better wake up and vote the whole kaboodle out!!!!
Many thanks to you Dr. Jones for your remarks. You will be jumped all over for them but hang in there kiddo.
How about all these parents, “single-family” or otherwise, who feel entitled to have them even though they can hardly afford to pay for themselves,
and then whine about how hard they have to work and how society somehow should not judge their bad judgement.
I say, help those that truly help themselves and have had unfortunate circumstances befall them, but not those that walked right into those circumstances and expect the rest of us to alleviate them of the misery of that poor judgement. There’s a big difference.
I just had this post sent to me..Here is my answer to it.
Dear Dr. Starner Jones..I do believe there are those out there just like this person and from the beginning of time there are those who are lazy, will milk the system and expect something for nothing. Then there is the rest of those hard working people who cannot afford our very expensive health care system. There are many reasons for this. Some companies are very small and only have a few employees. The cost of health insurance per employee is so astronomical that people choose not to purchase it..so they are uninsured. Sometimes the person may lose their job. Through their employer they may have been paying an affordable percentage of their income with their employer also picking up approximately half of the cost or more. When you lose your job you can Cobra up to 36 months at the FULL cost which for two people only (not including children) can run from 700 to 900 hundred dollars monthly. When you lose your job, most people cannot afford this type of cost so again..more people become uninsured.
The real issue is why is health insurance so costly. Tort law reform will never happen as long as we elect lawyers to congress..so we are a dog chasing their tail.
I think a lot of people are missing the “point” of the letter Dr. Jones wrote. I skimmed through a lot of emails from indignant people that are on some sort of welfare because they’ve lost their job or lost a spouse, etc… I don’t believe THOSE are the people Dr. Jones is referring to. Come on, you all KNOW the people he is referring to – the one that I stood in line behind in the grocery store last night… the woman that had very nice cuts of steak, expensive boxed meals and even $25 worth of jumbo shrimp from the fresh seafood section… the woman that paid for all of the above with food stamps… the woman that upon leaving the store got into her nearly brand new Lincoln with the leather seats. So I took my groceries and got into my paid for 1997 Honda Civic with fabric interior and 135,000 miles. Like someone else said, its the person that says “I can’t afford the $4 Walmart prescription fee” while they spend $5 per pack of cigarettes that they purchase each day. The same person that wouldn’t DREAM of taking that $5 cigarette money and getting their prescription instead. THOSE are the ones that I’m offended by, that I think about when I’m writing my $320 monthly check for my health insurance. If the shoe doesn’t fit, DON’T WEAR IT. Don’t be so easily offended – no one’s including you in this. If, on the other hand, the shoe is JUST YOUR SIZE – and you try it on with your cigarette hanging from your mouth, beer on the table next to you while your “baby mama” is in the kitchen fryin up those nice $12 a lb steaks she got with the food stamps you’re entitled to because you have no job and 5 kids with 4 different women…then wear it.
The late, brilliant author Ayn Rand would love having heard those comments from you, Dr. Jones — and so do I.
Joel Kovacik
JoelBklyn@AOL.com
Touche Doc….I’m tired of seeing the same thing, you have medicaid but gold chains, tatoo’s and 10 kids…yes…I know someone on Medicaid with “10″ children and doesn’t work and makes a killing from the state and Federal governament receiving monthly checks, and then I see down sydrome adults & people with physical disabilites “working”. If they want Healthcare reform well….let’s do it state to state…take help away from those that “don’t” need it and are just “too lazy” to work or have “no initiative” to better themselves and “force” them to contribute to the economy. There are the elderly who have worked “their whole lives” and don’t get 1/2 of what some people get because they spit out babies every other year…and “we’re” paying for them, sorry I wasn’t there for the fun, so it’s “NOT” my responsability to raise your children, get a norplant, get a job, and be productive,
Am I missing something here? In case there rest of you haven’t noticed, our healthcare system is still the same old status quo. The example Dr Jones has sited is an example of the system we have NOW. Something has to change, people. President Obama and crew may not have the perfect answer, but I think it does address the current misuse of the system. I’m not promoting change for change sake, but we do need a change, for God’s sake!
What that doctor says, is a demagogic opinion that these days is spreading across the U.S. to combat health reform policy undertaken by the President Obama and that is having many detractors within the Republican party, based on the high cost that such reform entails. The doctor puts out a simple example to damage the policy adopted by the U.S. government. Let to take a more real example, a poor an uneducated U.S. citizen with limited financial resources. This citizen can not logically afford health insurance and if he suddenly illness afflicts, only a charity hospital will serve probably as last resource.
It’s funny to think that in this great country, is better be poor than
having enough resources. I can not deny the occurrence of certain paradoxes but that’s not the norm.
On the other hand I think if a poor citizen can not pay the mortgage or the lien, most likely the bank will run out with the property. Remember that many subprime mortgages were subscribed by people very poor, knowing that they could not pay. These unpaid package were sold to other banks, speculating over time until the crack came and hit us all countries of the world. Banks never lose money.
Do not forget that USA is a capitalist country and for them God is money.
Antonio Martín,
Madrid (Spain – Europe)
I to see both sides to this. I believe people getting help from the government should have to take a monthly drug test. Many people are on drugs. But there are also some that are getting the assistance who need it. Those who work there ass off every day and still get nothing to show for it. My parents are struggling to make the bills every month and have know help at all. Where as my grandma worked and owned her own business for many years and cannot even get food stamps because she makes one cent to much. It is rediculous.
Compared to the BILLIONS in illegal scams major health care corporations (hospital systems, drug companies, etc.) have paid in fines or settlements, the theft committed by the portion of Medicaid beneficiaries who are dishonest or at fault for their own predicament is peanuts. Add up some of the billions paid by major health care names for yourself at: http://www.taf.org/top20.htm
Or if the illegal scamming by drug companies and health care providers isn’t convincing enough, consider the “perfectly legal” scams health care insurers are committing with the help of their government cronies. While our politicians say they are protecting America’s free markets, health insurers have gotten themselves exempted from antitrust laws, which is why most areas are dominated by only one or a few major health insurance corporations (2). One of America’s most gleaming examples of “entitlement mentality” and morally corrupt “culture” is our health insurance companies.
While the average American complains about some Medicaid recipients acting entitled to health care and fancy cars, health insurance CEOs have continually raised working Americans’ health insurance premiums (some by 30+% in 2010)(3) — while posting record profits and giving themselves annual salaries in the tens of millions (in 2008 recession year alone, Atena’s CEO made $23 million, Cigna’s made $12 million, and Wellpoint’s made almost $10 million). At the same time, millions of working Americans—including many in the middle class—have lost private health insurance coverage (over 2 million became uninsured between just 2008-09).
Health insurance companies are not making their fortunes by managing our health care dollars efficiently but by scamming us. Former health insurance executives have admitted in US Congressional testimony that, to raise profits, major health insurance companies routinely dump the sick (4) and delay and deny payment for needed care – practices that have resulted in thousands of dead insured working Americans and their covered family members, never mind how many instances of unnecessary suffering and personal bankruptcies among the insured. But, thanks to our politicians, US law protects health insurance companies from being sued over payment decisions.
Think how much we could save by eliminating the major (corporate) sources of fraud. Instead of having their hands slapped with fines for fraud convictions, bad corporations ought to be driven out of business by honest competitors by making markets truly competitive. We can start by closing legal loopholes that protect insurance companies from fair market competition and accountability to their customers. With scammers like these running so much of the health care system, Americans spend an estimated 20-30% of every health care dollar on administrative costs, far more than any other industrialized nation. But this theft can only be stopped by demanding that our public officials protect the people they are supposed to represent, not the corporations who lobby them and fill their reelection chests.
Let’s do something about the biggest drivers of our health care system’s costs before deciding our country is no longer so rich and great a nation that we can afford to keep our clinic and hospital doors open to all sick Americans, no matter how lazy, irresponsible, unethical some may be.
Who is this wonderful person who had the bravery to stand up for all of us hard working people? The conversations he and I could have. I’m a medical Interpreter and I saw so much abuse of the system that I refuse to practice. Let’s not forget about the illegal aliens who also receive health benefits provided by our government because they refuse to practice birth control. Oh don’t get me started. I don’t think this doctor is totally aware of the outrageous abuse on our health system; we even pay for the taxi to take this people home and they have the right to sue our health care workers if something goes wrong with the treatment they receive. I agree we need an overhaul of the “cultural” abuse on the welfare system not a new health care system. I became an American Citizen because I love this country and I have, for one, been homeless and poor, but never accepted welfare help. This is a country that unless you are in a comma, you should be able to support yourself. I did not come to this country to work I came due to a marriage and had never been poor until I experienced it here. As far as slavery? Please get over it; you were never a slave, maybe your ancestors but not you. We all had things happened to our cultures in the past but you don’t see me using that is an excuse. Yes I agree that there is some people who need the help, but let’s face it. The abuse on the welfare system and all of the perks you get for being lazy in this country need to STOP!!! I go to work every day and my body is in constant pain, but that does not stop me. I refuse to be taken care of by any government; just the same, I get angry to see that I have to pay for someone to get health care when they are perfectly capable of working and paying for themselves.
Wow, Cecil, you’re an idiot. Please refrain from mentioning that you served in the Navy. I too served and take great offense to the fact that an idiot like you is my brother and shipmate. I really don’t want anyone reading this to know that a moron like you is a veteran of the armed forces. Do us all a favor and relinquish your right to vote because you obviously can’t distinguish between help and a handout and quite frankly the thought of you having a say in who my leader could be is scary. Then again you could learn to shut up and understand the argument, unless you really do support the idea of giving a free ride to those who don’t feel they should have to pay for it.
I have a suggestion to all of those of you who feel that the irresponsible, lazy, and unethical people should have free healthcare and those who feel they have the right to have free healthcare without having to lift a finger. Why don’t you all get together and start a none-profit Organization and donate your own money to provide the benefits needed. We must remember that the medical field and pharmaceutical companies face some great law suits from time to time and this in turn drives insurance coverage thorough the roof. If we were to take responsibility and not be a country that is lawsuit happy, maybe we would be in a better situation. I do understand that sometimes it is necessary to sue someone or that there are people who need the help. But really, let’s face it the problem is not with the health care system.
Great letter, I couldn’t agree more. Also, these people he talks about tax more than the health system. A lot are on welfare, free government programs and having kids just to create more income from the government knowing they will be taken care of. These kids will be brought up to be just like their parents. Break the cycle all you loser people and stop blaming other people for your downfalls.
I don’t agree with his comments at all. I feel it is American’s right to have health care. Like the right to vote or the right to bare arms, people should have the right to get treatment for sickness without going penniless in the process. I am American living overseas in Australia and Australia give basic public health care to their citizens and residents, so does England and most other developed countries. Why can’t American ? I think this doctors is not looking at the big picture and all the good public health care would give to our country. Instead he is letting one person abusing the system destroy his optimism for a healthy America.
(Side Note)Also I know many people think that with a public health care system makes patients wait months to see a doctors. This is a myth. I usually can get into the doctors the day I make the appointment and without health insurance it only cost $50. Why in the USA is it hundreds ?
Wow – Katie Finnegn, you are right, and yet so completely WRONG all at the same time
Basic healthcare should be a right — but using the emergency room so you can walk in and get Benadryl, an inhaler or a pregnancy test on the taxpayers dime has NOTHING to do with “basic healthcare”
This doctor IS looking at the big picture, he is looking at the many people that CHOOSE to abuse the system, costing those of us who work for what we have, and those many people who are in need to have to make further sacrifices (as in higher taxes, insurance premiums they cannot afford and piss poor benefits for our veterans, who IMO should have 100% free healthcare for them and their spouses for their entire lives!)
Emergency Rooms are not clinics, they are not pharmacies, but to those waving that magic Medicaid card that they use as inappropriately as their LINK card – they just don’t give a sh*t because they aren’t paying a dime. So yes, they walk up to the entrance of the ED, putting their cigarette out as they reach the doorway, and then take up space in the ER so they can tell the doctor how “its hard to breathe sometimes”
The government wants hospitals to publish data on quality outcomes, on how much $$ in charity care they provided and all of these other random things, how about this — hospitals should report out on what percentage of people walked in and used an Emergency Room for a NonEmergency Visit …
Katie – I also noticed you mentioned that “Australia give basic public health care to their citizens and residents” — which is much easier to accomplish when you are not ALSO footing the bill for MILLIONS of illegals living in your country, using Emergency Rooms as their only source of healthcare and refusing to fill out charity care forms, so the hospitals can at least get some credit from the government for providing that patient with free care
Every single scenario I have mentioned DOES occur on a daily basis at ER’s around the country, I work for hospitals and occasionally have the entertaining job of assessing what subgroups of the population are ABUSING the ER
Again — what this doctor is talking about has NOTHING to do with denying any American BASIC healthcare…
but next time you talk to a member of your family back here in the states and they tell you how long they had to wait in the ED when they needed stitches or had a heart attack…. just remember that they probably waited because a patient with a serious case of “entitlement” was probably taking up the ER staff’s time getting their bi-monthly pregnancy test courtesy of Joe taxpayer
Anyone who gets a Medicaid card or Food Stamps should have to have their urine tested 3x a year.
Anyone who is NOT disabled and NOT of retirement age that collects public assistance of any kind for more than 1 year should be paying back into the system by volunteering — maybe they cannot find a job, but if they are willing to stay on the taxpayers dime, they should have to give SOMETHING back to society
Anyone that comes into an Emergency Room and CANNOT produce ID, should be treated and then held — until identity can be established, if they don’t belong in the US, they should be picked up from the hospital and shipped out
Until the above types of stipulations go into affect, our current and very sad state of affairs will NEVER get any better.
I received this article in my email today unfortunately.. I have a few things to comment about.. None of which the doc would like to hear but obviously needs to. I have been in health care profession for 6 years and have quite a different outlook.
I think the doc is a very arrogant man.. Im sure he doesnt indulge in any luxuries himself. I’m sure he doesnt drive an expensive vehicle, live in a half a million dollar home and go out to expensive restaurants or have a cell phone himself.. Probably several…. according to most doctors I know.. Lets take a gander in his closet.. Oh I bet he will have only one pair of expensive shoes in there… “NOT”…I wonder how many vacations he takes a year.. So it’s ok for him to live the way he does. Drink expensively when he wants to drink and eat.. I wonder who paid for his college education.. I can almost guarantee it was not him.. Some people in life are given better opportunities.. Some people are born very poor and poor families and poor neighborhoods and are not given opportunities or have someone pay for their college education… That is the only life they know.
So what.. that they have tattoos, so what that they drink beer. Is it the fact that he doesnt like tattoos.. I guess if they were wealthy than that would be ok. So with what little money they make (because I would bet you my life that they were not raised and given the same opportunities he was given)they buy some tattoos, shoes, phone and some beer.. Big whoop.. I think he is very pompass .. And to think that smoking is a luxury… Smoking is an addiction.. A hard one to fight at that.. Did he give her the opportunity to help her with her smoking addiction.. Did he tell her there is help out there.. Give her medicine to take to help the addiction..Did he HONESTLY take that extra step.. I can already answer for you… and the answer Is “NO”.. he was much too busy judging what a low life she was.. He obviously needs to get out of the health care profession.. I think he forgot his reason for getting into it in the first place.. To help people and not judge.. Hes busy casting stones at other people and not taking a good hard look at himself. Shame on him. I guess he thinks hes God and has the right to judge.. Oh that’s right.. He,s walked in her shoes.. So that gives him every right.. Silly me..!!
Irrespective that the university that this government DOC works at is paid for by the sin taxes on those unhealthy practises that support Misssissippi… and the rich who are now paid not to grow as much of those same crops… is that welfare?
WE are the only industrial country where any of this discusison would come up. There is no medicaid, just medicare for everyone in all other countries. And apparantly people paying nothing for thier treatments, decreases costs, since their costs are half as much and their life expectancy is longer. Our taxes are the 2nd lowest in the world (lower than under BUSH), but when you add in our healthcare cost and college they get for free.. well we pay the most for what we get. Our Soc security starts 6 years later and pays half as much since we borrowed it at a whopping 1.5% interest to cover up repug deficits and unpaid for wars.. We spend half as much on infrastructure but 30 times on military.. 30% of troops of which are on food stamps. 80% of our industry is gone and repugs in just 30 years ran up 90% of our debt..
My health insurance cost at age 60 is 2K per month, plus a 5K deductable and then the rest…. never been in a hospital. Dont smoke. Own cancer treatment center and we are now up to where 35% of our patients have no insurance and its increasing. I wonder ff this DOC if he actually paid for his own insurance instead of the tax payers would think 30-50K insurance cost per year was not the problem.
I suggest this DOC get off the government dole and get a private sector job.. where he is the one actually treating for free. Maybe the problem is that 35% of every healthcare dollar goes to insurance companies that treat no one and then we pay 3-5 times more for the same drug made in China and India.
Regards
When the ‘recipient class’ reaches 51%, who will provide? The govt cannot make a doctor stay in the profession. And where in the US Constitution, does it say that I have to buy ANYTHING from the US Govt to be a citizen.
Did Ted Kennedy go to the free clinic to get his brain treatment? Why did the Prime Minister of Canada leave the best health care model, and come to the US to get his treatment> Because he could afford to!!!
God help you all if and when you get to HEAVEN. God said the meek will Inherit the hearth. Shame on YOU doctor!
First of all, do people really expect Obama’s administration to change everything over night? It takes time to allow change to occur in this country because America is heavily divided. I don’t believe Dr. Starner understands what it feels like to be oppressed or discriminated against, seeing as that he is a dominant white, male who most likely comes from an upper class family that was well educated, and thus privileged. Many people were not taught responsibility or given the chance to be educated so they could make good decisions, because history shows that our country has oppressed every minority group that has stepped foot in our country. However, I agree it is unnecessary to force hard working taxpayers to pay for other people’s health care who are irresponsible. It is frustrating, but we cannot simply deny people a hospital merely because they were not given the opportunity to know what responsibility is. The story of the Good Samaritan should help people realize that we are to love our neighbor and care for them at all times. Indeed, passing judgment on to another is not the answer (let he who is without sin cast the first stone). The answer to everyone’s question is, we need to educated our future children, we need to stop discrimination in this country, and we simply have to wait for our economy to “CHANGE” in order for everyone to stop arguing. As soon as we stop fighting two wars in the Middle East (which is where a lot of tax paying dollars goes toward) we can begin stabilizing our economy with the money saved not having to fight a war that we CANNOT win! It boils down to simple economics!
Another physician pipes in… We give good driving discounts for good drivers – we need to do the same for health insurance… Everyone should pay their fair share, and those that choose NOT to smoke, to stay within normal BMI standards, and live healthy lives should pay less than those that run themselves into the graves, years too soon… Should we pay for an infant who is now severely devastated mentally and physically due to a Mother, who during pregnancy drank alcohol, took drugs, and abused her body with countless bacteria due to her active sex life? Should WE??? The fairness doctrine needs to be established in any health care reform… and that is what is clearly missing in Obama’s plan… Personal responsibility is the point of this original author’s intention… And to those who bring up God, Jesus spoke incessantly of personal responsibility, and your body is the temple of God… To disparage your body with drugs, alcohol, and rampant sex acts with a variety of people is not on the to-do list that Jesus proclaimed on this earth… and then expect the government to ‘take care of you…’
IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING AWAY JOBS, THE PEOPLE OF WHICH DR. JONES SPEAKS, WOULD NOT APPLY! They would not get off their lazy, I deserve to be taken care of, asses! I have a debilitating disease (at a young age), I was told I should apply for disability, I will not! If I have to work from a wheelchair, I will!
NOW, all of you that have opinions, VOTE! Get out there and do something about it!
Otherwise, it’s just your opinion…
I forgot to say…Pointing fingers and placing blame is not going to solve this problem. This is not about race. It is not about religion. It is not about the doctor or his socioeconomic status, although he didn’t become a doctor by sitting on his ass letting taxpayers pay his way! (IF he is from a “privileged” family that works and pays taxes he’s supposed to feel guilty and not have an opinion?). It is about the people who DELIBERATELY and WILLINGLY take advantage of the system and the money that could be saved if it were not allowed. Is it the only problem? NO. But it would be a good start to solve or improve it! And it gets people fired up and talking…
I have already written Congress my self about ” Culture issues”. It’s changing now, but it was where I live in the community, illegal immigrants that partied every week end all night long, let their kids run wild , etc… They all have their rent, groceries and bills paid by the government, so what reasonability do they have but to party with any earned monies. I complained about having to show all this ID for my Drivers License and such, and felt that any non citizens should have to as well. The law is now changed. Every one has to have a Birth certificate and a Marriage license to match their drivers license. And they have to show a valid Drivers license in order to get insurance. Is there any reason the majority or arrest are culture Immigrants with out Driver License. As a person getting Medical assistance myself, I have organic issues and fighting obese with scrip’s. But at least I am a US Citizen who has worked hard all their life and now paying for it physically. When an Illegal Immigrant or person on visa has a new home, car and clothes, and I don’t. something’s bad wrong with America! For any who work for what they get, great! You are blessed and earned it. but when it’s just handed down to you… that’s dead wrong! A broken citizen who is a US Princess.
This in response to a friend that forwarded to Dr. Starner’s letter to me:
I share the belief that this email was forwarded by my friend not completely understanding that the subject matter was venomously concocted hoping to get an “Amen” from me and the other recepients. When I viewed the attachment, and saw the picture of the ER resident, I could not help but notice that he is donning the same green colored scrub ensemble that I wear at least 28 days out of a month. When I matched the picture with the title of the email, I was expecting something profound from the young resident. We have all read the contents now, and indeed a profound statement was made about race and nothing was said about how this woman had abused the system. Did she have appendicitis? A sprained ankle? Did she demand a very expensive MRI when all she needed was an X-ray? Was she injured on the job or in Iraq and was placed on disability? Did she steal the medicaid card? Was she pregnant and poor with premature contractions? Did she have a sick child with a high fever? Did her smoking and alleged diet of pretezels and beer exacerbate a pre-existing condition for which she should indeed be held accountable? Was she shot? Raped? Presumably, the 3rd year emergency room resident, with 11 years of education beyond high school could have given me, you, my fellow physcians, Congress and the President of the United States one example of the abuse of the system by this woman.
I reviewed Dr. Starner’s residency photo and the statement that he made about himself. The first line of his statement is that he is “a 7th generation Mississippian.” Certainly that can be interpreted several ways as he clearly lampoons a woman of color in the emergency room during his shift. Consider this spin. He probably is truly proud of all that comes with being southern, and having family traditions deep within the heart of the Bible Belt. I bet there was a bible in his life from his baptism as a boy to church last Sunday. I am sure that the outspoken doctor wants “In God we trust to remain” to remain at every courthouse and prayer to stay in school. Yet the 2nd most important charge that this proud southerner was given by the Book, handed down through the generations of Starners, is to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Another line in that Book says to pray for your leaders and to show respect for those put in place to govern. This is indeed a country that allows access to the President of the United States, but please show him the same dignity that you show your residency coordinator, young doctor.
So when I put on the green scrub ensemble, here or abroad, my treatment of patients is clear and unwavering. Dentition, diet, vice color, religion, hygiene, poverty, medicaid, Blue Cross & Blue Shield and an annoying sense of entitlement does not change the principle of delivering unbiased medical care. My ethos is such that the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan gets the same operation as my mother. The Iraqi civilian, who may indeed be a “bad guy” gets the same operation as my mother. Many of you rely upon my account of Iraq. ( the originator of this email served proudly and a protracted tour in Iraq). I took care of two young boys who were laying explosives in the road to kill american soldiers. The same day, I saved the life of a 4 year old girl with eternal gratitude from a joyous mother. Were the two boys grateful? Love thy neighbor as thyself. If I lampoon the bomb-makers, and delete the love of a mother in my accounts, I certainly have the power to create the fervor that Dr. Starner did, and the email would bounce around the globe with an”Amen”… certainly is a twisted way to seek fame and acceptance. The green scrub ensemble is indeed a uniform. A firefighter puts on a uniform. I bet Dr. Starner being a 7th generation Mississippian is as patriotic as I am. 911 probably still brings tears to his eyes. The firefighters in New York did not ask for a list of the good and reprehensible individuals in the building. They charged in to save everyone. Dr. Starner deviated from that code of ethics in singling out what he felt was reprehensible. The indignation that we all feel and have expressed is justified! Starner painted a picture that clearly was compassionless and bigoted.
By the way, the greatest command to the proud Mississippian is to love your God with all your heart. God in flesh walking through downtown Jackson, Mississippi, would not visit the sanctuary of the big expensive church (maybe like the one Dr. Starner attends). You would find him talking to the drug-addicted, prostitutes, homeless, highschool dropouts, unemployed, uninsured, depressed, lame, racists and the disenfranchised. I cannot think of a more disenfranchised indvidual than a black woman with a gold tooth hoping that she will receive compassion from this fine Christian gentleman who wrote an essay to get into medical school about how he wants to help people.
Dr. Starner’s diatribe was forwared to me by a friend, and I share my response:
I share the belief that this email was forwarded by my friend not completely understanding that the subject matter was venomously concocted hoping to get an “Amen” from me and the other recepients. When I viewed the attachment, and saw the picture of the ER resident, I could not help but notice that he is donning the same green colored scrub ensemble that I wear at least 28 days out of a month. When I matched the picture with the title of the email, I was expecting something profound from the young resident. We have all read the contents now, and indeed a profound statement was made about race and nothing was said about how this woman had abused the system. Did she have appendicitis? A sprained ankle? Did she demand a very expensive MRI when all she needed was an X-ray? Was she injured on the job or in Iraq and was placed on disability? Did she steal the medicaid card? Was she pregnant and poor with premature contractions? Did she have a sick child with a high fever? Did her smoking and alleged diet of pretezels and beer exacerbate a pre-existing condition for which she should indeed be held accountable? Was she shot? Raped? Presumably, the 3rd year emergency room resident, with 11 years of education beyond high school could have given me, you, my fellow physcians, Congress and the President of the United States one example of the abuse of the system by this woman.
I reviewed Dr. Starner’s residency photo and the statement that he made about himself. The first line of his statement is that he is “a 7th generation Mississippian.” Certainly that can be interpreted several ways as he clearly lampoons a woman of color in the emergency room during his shift. Consider this spin. He probably is truly proud of all that comes with being southern, and having family traditions deep within the heart of the Bible Belt. I bet there was a bible in his life from his baptism as a boy to church last Sunday. I am sure that the outspoken doctor wants “In God we trust ” to remain at every courthouse and prayer to stay in school. Yet the 2nd most important charge that this proud southerner was given by the Book, handed down through the generations of Starners, is to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Another line in that Book says to pray for your leaders and to show respect for those put in place to govern. This is indeed a country that allows access to the President of the United States, but please show him the same dignity that you show your residency coordinator, young doctor.
So when I put on the green scrub ensemble, here or abroad, my treatment of patients is clear and unwavering. Dentition, diet, vice, color, religion, hygiene, poverty, medicaid, Blue Cross & Blue Shield and an annoying sense of entitlement does not change the principle of delivering unbiased medical care. My ethos is such that the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan gets the same operation as my mother. The Iraqi civilian, who may indeed be a “bad guy” gets the same operation as my mother. Many of you rely upon my account of Iraq. ( the originator of this email served proudly and a protracted tour in Iraq). I took care of two young boys who were laying explosives in the road to kill american soldiers. The same day, I saved the life of a 4 year old girl with eternal gratitude from a joyous mother. Were the two boys grateful? Love thy neighbor as thyself. If I lampoon the bomb-makers, and delete the love of a mother in my accounts, I certainly have the power to create the fervor that Dr. Starner did, and the email would bounce around the globe with an”Amen”… certainly is a twisted way to seek fame and acceptance. The green scrub ensemble is indeed a uniform. A firefighter puts on a uniform. I bet Dr. Starner being a 7th generation Mississippian is as patriotic as I am. 911 probably still brings tears to his eyes. The firefighters in New York did not ask for a list of the good and reprehensible individuals in the building. They charged in to save everyone. Dr. Starner deviated from that code of ethics in singling out what he felt was reprehensible. The indignation that we all feel and have expressed is justified! Starner painted a picture that clearly was compassionless and bigoted.
By the way, the greatest command to the proud Mississippian is to love your God with all your heart. God in flesh walking through downtown Jackson, Mississippi, would not visit the sanctuary of the big expensive church (maybe like the one Dr. Starner attends). You would find him talking to the drug-addicted, prostitutes, homeless, highschool dropouts, unemployed, uninsured, depressed, lame, racists and the disenfranchised. I cannot think of a more disenfranchised indvidual than a black woman with a gold tooth hoping that she will receive compassion from this fine Christian gentleman who wrote an essay to get into medical school about how he wants to help people.
To my friend, I still stand by my indignation, and my sincere hope is that you have read and that you share what you have learned. I hope that you find the courage to forward all of the responses to the names in your email queue.
Maj. Ken Wilson, MD
I do not have a gold tooth, I pay less to have the filling. I do not have fancy new shoes, I have been wearing my old hiking boots for 5 years. I do not waste money on ring tones because I don’t need the coolest newest gadget to value myself. I do not smoke. I do not have cable T.V. I do not have a large bank account.
I DO have a job. With my own earned money I DO pay for health insurance. I do pay for my own prescriptions, some that I have had to pass on because of the cost.
Mr. Cecil are you totally missing the point? It seems to me that it is fairly clear from the letter, but let me spell it out for you because it seems as though you have complete misconstrued the true intent of Dr. Jones letter. Do you REALLY think that the Doctor is talking about a 40-y.o. tattoo? or a 20 year old gold tooth? Really? Give me a break.
I work so hard for what I have and I have to agree that it makes me a quite sick to see someone sporting the fashions of life and living more comfortable than I and knowing that my hard earned money that I could use for myself is distributed injudiciously. I do not interpret anywhere in this letter that Dr. Jones indicates that anyone is more deserving of health care over another.
I am offended by you and your ignorance, Mr. Sinclair (et.al.). If this person can afford all of the perceived “status symbols” then they should be able to afford their own healthcare and not have people like me paying for them. I make the sacrifice myself and don’t expect anything less of anyone else.
These lazy people that feel they should have a right to everything without working hard, f u.
Wow, Really “sent to Dr. Jones to help allay his insurance costs”?
So Dr. Jones hates his patients and thinks they’re a bunch of lazy and stereotypically black welfare queens who rip off decent white Americans such as himself. That much is obvious. But he also has no clue whatsoever that for every one person such as he describes, there are hundreds, even thousands, of honest Americans. We work hard at multiple jobs, hold off on car repairs or new clothes for our kids, deny ourselves what others take for granted and have nothing left over for “vices.” And we still find ourselves ripped off by insurance companies who take our premiums and then refuse to pay for needed care.
And with all the hatred he holds for anyone who tries to salvage this desperately broken system, he also says nothing at all about how he would fix it himself. That says quite a lot, don’t you think?
It’s consistently amazing to read the comments of the smug liberals of this nation who back up their positions with invented facts. I refer not merely to those racists who assume that the Dr. was referring to an African-American patient when he most clearly did not, but also to “tnvalleydude,” a self-proclaimed farmer who seems to believe that a government program keeping milk prices artificially high is what keeps milk prices from being higher.
Oh, and for those of you who maintain that private insurance is just too darned expensive for you to buy on your own, try doing an online search for high-deductible policies. At first you’ll be surprised at how much lower the prices are than you’ve been conditioned to believe. It will take you a while to come up with new stories about how unfair it is for you to still have to pay out of pocket for any part of your own health care, but eventually I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Facts are stubborn things, but not as stubborn as the desire to get something for nothing.
The electoral foundation for socialism in this country has been laid quite effectively by our dysfunctional public school system.
i try to listen to both sides — some people had this “all-or-nothing” attitude about medicaid. i think what the doc is trying to say is to weed out the bad ones, and give medicaid privileges only to those who NEED it! i think they should start having mandatory drug testing too, to be honest. counseling would be a good option too, because although it’s very tiring to help people with substance abuse problems, it is also inhumane to deny them medical treatment just because. maybe if we can help them become good citizens, we are hoping that will lift off some weight on the problem at hand.
it’s a catch-22, to be honest.
and also… just for anybody up there who complain about not having privileges or money for education — i believe anything is possible. i used to work 10hours/day 7days/week with my $6/hour job — and paid my way through nursing school. i worked while i was in school to help my mother financially. eventually, i graduated and passed my board exams. people claim it’s because i’m smart, and that’s what helped me get through school… i’m not smart! my IQ is average… but i was DRIVEN.
He is absolutely truthful.
Only few things can fix this country:
1. Voting right has to be earned, only txpayers, paying 150% of minimum wage salary should be allowed to vote.
2. Only educated people (minimum bachelors degree) should be allowed to serve jury duty (as well as fulfil no 1 requirement).
3. Jury duty hours should be taxcredited from you taxes.
If we establish those rules, we would avoid problems of MoboDemocracy. Country would be fixed and recovering within short period of time.
As a grad of UM, did they not teach this young Dr. about HIPPA. This patient, regardless of the Dr.’s personal or political ideas, deserves his confidentially. JCAH would not look kindly on an employee at this hospital discussing a patient’s case with the pubblic. As a Medicare patient, I’m sure you would not like to see him discussing your problem with Viagra and visit to ER.
I discharged a patient from my ED with instructions to take Tylenol OTC. The patient asked for a prescription for the Tylenol stating that she could not afford it. When I asked her about the 3 packs of Marlboros that were sticking out of the top of her purse, you can not imagine her response…she told me she wanted the prescription because Medicaid wouldn’t pay for cigarettes but would pay for the Tylenol.
I applaud you Dr. Jones for the courage to make such a comment regarding the abuse of the system by so many. And for all of you who are claiming that he is being judgmental and that it is wrong, please re-read your comments. Because you are all being judgmental in ASSUMING that because he is a doctor he is rich, grew up privileged and had a free ride to college. Many doctors owe ridiculous amounts of money for the college loans they had to take out to become a physician. They bust their butts in school (for years) and work ridiculous hours while training (for years). If he is making a good living now because of all his hard work, GOOD!!! He EARNED it.
If we didn’t have so many sucking off the government teet, and abusing the system, then those who truly needed assistance could get it. There needs to be reform and it needs to start now. Mandatory drug tests for EVERYONE who gets government aid (food stamps, welfare, free health insurance). There needs to be a LIMIT to the amount of time you can collect government aid so that you do not just continue bleeding the system dry. Start being responsible for yourself, have some pride for goodness sake. I grew up poor, in a single parent home. And you know what, it made me WANT to work hard, put myself through college, and get a good education so that I could have a good paying job with benefits. So that I could provide for my children, and have the things that I did not have growing up. WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE!!!! No one should have a free ride.
I am also a military wife, and getting health insurance for a WORKING military member (or retired) and his/her family is not government aid. Again, they EARNED it.
KUDOS DR JONES! Thank you for speaking up and saying what so many of us agree with. This country is becoming LAZY and the air of entitlement that so many have is choking me!
Betcha a buck the lady has debilitating mental health issues.
Gold tooth? Really? Was she like a hundred years old?
I totally agree with Dr. Jones that there is a society issue that should be addressed and prevention of disease should be rewarded. However I believe the health care issues in this countyr are deeper. I just used good ole tried and true competition to get the best deal on a CT Scan of a chest for a brother who due to being laid off finds himself without health insurance. I called 3 local hospitals to get the cash price on the test and ask what the discount would be if I paid it all upfront when he had the test. Here were the results, $407 including radiologist reading the films, $668 at another hospital and a whopping $1,195 at another. The highest original cost was around $1600 and the lowest $850 before the 35-50% discount for paying upfront. This higher cost is what gets billed to our insurance companies when patients have insurance. Why because then insurance companies pay what is customary and reasonable so they aren’t paying the $1,600 either but they probably would pay more than the lowest price offered which was $407 too. Then the insurance company is losing money and have no choice but to raise premiums on the rest of us buying insurance. If my brother had just had the test done and paid the $100.00 deposit required for people with no insurance, he would have been billed the entire $1,600 and without a job exactly where would he come up with that? They would eventually write it off but not before my brother had to file bankruptcy because the collection agencies were circling. Why do hospitals and doctors have to play this game? Why can’t insurance companies, regular people and everyone else call up for the best price for routine testing? Why is there is such a dramatic difference in the cost of the same test at 3 hospitals located within 30 miles of each other? Free enterprise, supply and demand, and yes the dreaded “capitalism” word that this country was founded on. Why can’t we apply those same principals to health care so everyone wins? I want insurance companies to be able to stay in the game and make a fair living provding a service so I don’t like it when doctors, hospitals and medical centers add non-necessary test to inflate a medical bill because they know the insurance company is going to cut it in half. I don’t like to pay more for a test at one hospital than at another unless the technology is superior and I believe in the extra value. I don’t want my ins co to pay more and I wouldn’t pay more out of my pocket if it was cheaper down the street. I negotiate on price for my car and home, why not my healthcare?
Whether you agree with Dr. Jones’ conclusion or not, to publish such personal, identifying information in a newspaper is a breach of confidentiality and highly unethical. With such a negative perception of his patient it is highly unlikely that the patient received quality health care.
I don’t agree.
My Dad was a vet. He smoked, drank, and did not take care of himself. If he had had tattoos and a cell phone could he have been more worthless? Since he smoked, drank and ate pretzels was he less of a human being and should we have let him die on the street? Is the person less worthy because his/her ringtone is R&B rather than classical music? A gold tooth… Hmm that is definitely cultural – probably identifying the person as a black. At least they had some dental work done. I’m not sure how much more the gold tooth is than the enamel one this person would not have been so offended by. Over the lifetime of the person it probably doesn’t amount to much, and when they die the gold can be melted down and sold. Yes, that is poverty mentality, possibly not a thought that would occur to a middle-class white person.
I do not have health insurance because the premiums rose to 1/2 my take home pay and my 60 year old husbane is still unemployed (not to mention the $4000 deductible). I think affordable health care is good for the country. If US healthcare covers preventative medicine and basic care people won’t be in the emergency room. Drugs should not be advertised to the public nor should tobacco and alcohol. It behooves us to have a healthy, educated, working populous, paying taxes and making the country a better place.
I have also worked in the emergency room in several hospitals and seen old people and addicts, kids, teens, idiots and assholes. Most were just plain sick and frightened. The ER is not the best place for most of us to receive care and the majority of the folks in the ER are insured. If this email letter was written by a physician then he is one of the assholes.
I had a young military guy tell me the other day that “we have the best health care in the world” and that “if you don’t have insurance you can go to the ER for care. It’s free.” Where did someone 30 years old gets that idea?!!!
Answer – A president whose healthcare is paid for by our tax dollars and who has never had to pay for his own care!
Americans (people in general) are so blinded by politicians, it’s sickening!! Try looking at the BIGGER picture. Don’t you see they are slowly trying to take our FREEDOMS away? Why can’t you see this? I am afraid that if the majority of Americans keep sticking their heads in the sand to avoid what is really going on (the BIGGER picture), we will eventually lose All of our Freedoms. If that is what you want, then pull the covers over your head, stick your head back in the sand so that these ruthless politicans can continue with their adgenda to take your Freedoms away. And let’s not call the United States a Freedom loving country anymore, we are slowly becoming a police state where “history” repeats itself. Might I recommend a wedsite:
http://naomiwolf.org/
I have read Ms. Wolfe’s book “The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot” I recommend it for everyone to read.
For everyone out there to who thinks the Doc is racist. Stop pointing fingers. The man made no comment about race. His comments were merley that the person was able to not able to afford health insurance but could afford shiny gold teeth, a meezly ringtone R&B ringtone, tattos and shiny new sneekers. I think if anything, if you read that and think it’s about race, your the one making stereotypes and generalizations. It’s a valid point and you do reap what you sow. Why should I pay for people who don’t allocate their budget’s correctly?
We have fireman who set fires, crooked cops, kill-crazy soldiers, pedophile priests, employee theft, charities that steal, shady contractors, crooked lawyers, doctors on drugs and alcohol, lying politicians…catch my drift or will it have to snow? Do we eliminate all those needed services because of a few bad apples to spite those who are in most need of them? Spin on it Butt-holes! Especially this racist medical Fortunate Son who obviously has no compassion to be a doctor to begin with, other than the “Hippocrytes Oath”. Stick with Conservative Christian Neo-Con Politics and out of the medical profession. I think I said it all better than the rebuttal at Snopes above by someone else. As always in my most humble opinion (of course).
I agree with the doctor. It is clear that our society is allowing our nation to become a “gimme, gimme, poor me” while our government is encouraging it. I on the other hand am busting my back to make ends meet without putting my hand out to get the freebees from our government. Why ? because I have a sense of pride and feel I’m responsible for myself, I may be poor but I live within my means. Like some comments say “why should I that work so hard have to pay for others that are sitting around doing nothing”. What the government should do to help unskilled people is teaching them a skill and putting them to work. Give them an education, a trade and tell them, this is your opportunity to better yourself, I will help you but you WILL HAVE TO help yourself. Give them assistance on how to work and teach them how to be self sufficient. Create places and institutions that will hire these people and treat them as in any other business, you work, you get paid fairly, you work harder and you improve your skills and will earn more. Have these people get some self esteem. And to the “really” sick that are unemployable, give them assistance, detox, rehab, give them the tools and go to work.
But DON’T teach them to be beggars. Close down the easy road to nowhere and give them the real help. WORK FOR A LIVING !!!
Since Dr Jones cancelled his email account. Im posting my letter everywhere I can find with a comment section.
Dr Jones,
I really do not understand your one sided opinion on healthcare. Children as well as Adults suffer and die everyday because of our current healthcare system. You must see this yet while writing this letter this did not occur to you?
I personally have a prexisting condition and have been refused healthcare for over 12 years. As a result I do not get proper healthcare for my illness. I work hard make a decent wage yet cannot afford the ever rising health care costs and have been in debt because of them. A colonoscopy cost me $2800.00 and the blood work $2600.00 that was more than 10% of my yearly wage!!! for one simple test!!! TEN PERCENT!!
Why did you become a Dr if your purpose was to make money and not save as many lives as possible? Lots of jobs pay good money, your intelligent you should have chosen one of them. The truth is we do not need more Dr’s who only care about what their potential earnings are as apposed to those who care about humans and saving their lives with preventative care rather than allowing them to get sicker and cost this country even more… You seem very judgmental to me.
I’m sure you would never reply to me. But I work very hard and still do not have healthcare!! I do not have the latest everything and still cannot afford healthcare. These are big problem none of which you mention. I live a modest life and I’m a good person who happens to have a condition that insurance companies have decided I’m not worthy of insuring. Their will always be people who take advantage of any system. That’s something you need to grow up and deal with. Accept it!! No matter what the rules are some people will find a way to cheat!!
Your broad statement and your letter will now always be a part of who you are. You should take more time to think things through that effect so many people.
Finally, This woman was on Medicaid. So the healthcare bill does not effect her one way or another. Other than it looks as if she will be responsible for a portion of her healthcare coverage now which was previously NOT the case!! So your letter helped solve nothing. If you think you have all the answers then come up with some helpful reasonable solutions. And present *them* to our president. In my opinion your letter was not well thought out and really said nothing to help change this country’s situation. So you wasted your time and ours..
Respectfully,
Mechelle Clark
Uninsured American who lives in debt because of it.
I am sure that this doctor isn’t refusing to treat these patients. He is merely pointing out that these patients could spend their money more wisely (such as saving for food, clothing, etc, rather than on booze, tattoos, gold teeth, etc). If they would spend their money more wisely, they would possibly be able to get off of welfare.
To those who have fallen on hard times and have had to depend on the government to help you, it is understandable. And to the woman (A. Miller) who was working hard to find another job after working for 30 years, then getting laid off, I commend you (and I am sure many others do). I, myself, do not have issues with that. However, I do have an issue with people that don’t work and continue to not work for as long as possible, getting fired on purpose when they do get a job, and living on welfare/the government. And I think this is where most of these people have issues.
There are also issues with insurance rates being high. My parents work in the ministry and have to pay or their own insurance. It costs them nearly half of my monthly wages to buy their own insurance! I am lucky to have a job that pays for (rather helps pay for) my insurance. I work hard to keep my job.
I am also a police officer who sees how people live and mooch off of the government and steal from the hard-working people like myself and “A. Miller” above. They are not entitled to have their insurance paid for, but they get it. Even when they go to prison, I have to pay for their health care. Ain’t that a bitch! Still getting taken care of by the citizen they stole from!
Life isn’t fair and sometimes people fall on hard times. That is understandable.
I once met a couple on a luxury cruise who complained about the cost of their medications. I agree that there needs to be help for people who can truly not afford healthcare, but too many people put more priority on things that are not needed, and then expect others to take care of their needs. The good doc is right. People that are able, need to take responsability for their own health over luxury items.
This young doctor has a great deal to learn: First of all he makes blanket statements about the nations great health care system; secondly he blames the Medicaid culture for problems with the health care system. You can’t have it both ways, doctor. Is the health care system great, or not?
The good doc has totally generalized the entire Medicaid population; he gives us ‘no’ demographics to support his position. Had he done some research he would have known that Medicaid supports our countries elderly poor and our disabled, along with those who might qualify under the nation’s poverty guidelines. Because Dr. Starner practices in the poorest state in the country, and sees patients in the ER, this lone places him to see a very small, albeit clustered democraphic of the population. And this is what the doc has based his ‘opinion’…yes, it is only his biased opinion, not fact.
The national health care crisis is far broader, and does exist outside this doctor’s experience…look at the working poor who have been unable to purchase health insurance, and compare their hard work and needs to the conglomerate health care insurance industry who refuses to cover whomever they want, yet charge enough in premuims to boost their profits for CEOs multimillion dollar salaries. Dr. Stanger, you’d better do some research before you put your ignorance in writing again. And if you want to be the kind of doctor that helps people why don’t you try educating the people in your state instead of being critical of them.
Thank you Dr for inspiring debate. My only addition is that those who are offended by this commentary and have explained their situation which required their use of medicare do not quite understand your comments. I believe that your frustration is not ALL those on medicare however, those who abuse the system. Some use the system to get back on their feet, help through bad times, etc. However we have created the entitled, who refuse to work and don’t even know how when given the opportunity. Instead, they satisfy all their pleasures, then expect those with some sense of duty to take care of them and provide the services that the rest of us pay for by working. It is very sad to see this happen. Dr. Jones did not judge, he observed. We are in too deep, it will never change, other countries with work ethics will begin to improve and we are headed down a very dangerous path. We have more lawyers than engineers, we are in trouble.
TAKE DOWN the FEEDER!!!!
I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled
it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it
lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds
taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and
easily accessible food.
But then the birds started building nests in the boards
of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.
Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile,
the chairs, the table … everywhere!
Then some of the birds turned mean. They would
dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had
fed them out of my own pocket.
And others birds were boisterous and loud. They
sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at
all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it
when it got low on food.
After a while, I couldn’t even sit on my own back porch
anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days
the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down
the many nests they had built all over the patio.
Soon, the back yard was like it used to be … quiet, serene
and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
Now let’s see ….
Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing,
free medical care, and free education and allows anyone
born here to be an automatic citizen.
Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly
our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments
are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen
by an emergency room doctor; your child’s 2nd grade class is
behind other schools because over half the class doesn’t speak
English.
Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to
“press one” to hear my bank talk to me in English, and
people waving flags other than “Old Glory” are
squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding
more rights and free liberties.
Just my opinion, but maybe it’s time for the government
to take down the bird feeder. If you agree, pass it on; if not,
continue cleaning up the poop
I like Mechelle Clarks post. I do have Health care.Make very good money. But the point I like best is The becoming of a Dr. for money not saving lives or making people feel better. I made most of my living hanging hundereds of feet from the air and burning myself up welding in construction. What happened to the barter system of Americans? Make a living but give a little receive a little. I weld things up for my neighbors so they don't have to pay an arm and a leg to have someone charge them an outrageous price. In return they give what they can. How many Americans REALLY know their neighbors. Shame on the Dr. Judgemental he is. I have another question! Why are there 2 rates of charges at a hospital? One for someone they know has insurance and one for those that don't so they can TRY to pay it back. Hummm ? Because they know they get their money from the insurance to compensate for those who don't ? I really don't know but I wish I could charge that kind of money for my skilled craftmanship too. Wait,, no I don't I want a comf. living with out the hassles of being raped of my hard earned money by a Dr. and an administration of the hospital because they want to pay off their dream home, go on vacation,pay for their BMW, LEXUS, MERCEDES> ECT.. non American cars. Enough is enough. Save lives and heal first. Worry about what you should get later . And that should be gratification of sending someone home healthy first. REASONABLE pay later.
Patrick, Wisconsin
Not one person would have an argument about abuse of the medical system. The point was his comment were meant to cast an opinion about a person based on his/her culture as he put, which was a suble way of stating the person was black. That is the problem with his letter. As a black man I have a problem with anyone, black or white or pink or any other color taking advantage of the system. All races does it, it just seem to be a problem when it is a minority. That letter did by no mean require courage, the couragest thing for him to do is to do his job and try to educate the person if he felt so offended. But given the same circumstances with a white person, he wouldn't have had the audascity to even think that let alone write it because it appears from his letter that blacks are the only people who do inappropriate and stupid things. Thank you for being so understanding. As veteran you spouse deserves medical care, but what have you done to earn that same benefit. Out in the civilian society most people have to pay for a family plan in order for the spouse to be insured. So before you deny someone access to anything, think about your own circumstance before judging. There are a lot of gray areas in life.
You are a sick individual.
Hear Hear!!
Unfortunately you are not familiar with the privacy law. He did not give a name, date, or demographic of any sort…He is an MD and that would make him a physician.
Under tones of race here?
The only people w/o insurance have gold teeth, smoke, drinks and has R&B ring tones. Further more if only these “types” were on medicaid it would be a very small government program.
puhleeze!
Who pays your full benefit package when you retire for your entire family?
Yeah, moocher police officer. Who pays your god damn salary and benefits? I DO! And, guess what, I don't like the way you look or talk so I don't want to do that anymore. Guess I better write a letter to the editor!
I am really sorry for your plight and yes, this so called doctor did not take people such as yourself into account. But, then, he just doesn't care. He's in it for the money. He's not going to make any money off this medicaid person so why bother?
Cannot believe he cancelled his email!! That's a hoot!! Chicken!
Boy are you a bigot! And a stupid one on top of that! You have absolutely no knowledge of the founding of our country or our Constitution! You, sir, are an embarrassment. I am embarrassed for you for writing such a ignorant diatribe.
Hope you don't break your arm patting yourself on the back! How does it feel to be so perfect in an imperfect world? Driven, no. Stuck up, yes. What was wrong with your mother? Why wasn't she driven? Why couldn't she take care of herself, afterall, she is an adult? Was she on some kind of government subsistence? Sheesh. You are a sham.
I'm a hairdresser….the last time I cut a Drs. hair…..he gave me a $2 tip…..Where would I get some insurance with my $2 ??????????? Dr. Jones is a jerk …..If he is not happy with his postition…..he should seek employment elsewhere….maybe Iraq would be a good place for him…….
Wes, your letter appears to be a “suble” (sic) attempt to paint the Dr as racist. For the record, his letter does not say she was black. He does indicate that she had a gold tooth, new tennis shoes, tattoos and used cigarettes and beer. Sounds a lot like some of the white rednecks I grew up with! You have the “audascity” (sic) to judge the doctor when you are the one who apparently thinks that only blacks fit these descriptions. Shame on you!
You are correct to say that it is a problem for anyone to take advantage of the system and to say that all races “does it.” Maybe you would have felt better if the doctor had said his patient had a big cowboy hat, Gold belt buckle, Calfskin western boots, and a big shiny pickup truck. Of course, that also might fit the description of Carl Ray or Charlie Pride.
I must say how very shallow your blog comes off to me personally. I hope that one day you may not lose your job and home (security) and STOP to rethink what you just wrote. Whether it be a racial point you state or one of pure arrogance, I can not make any sense of your letter. For one, I bet at this moment in your life you have the finer things in life because you are an MD. Let us just say you make a mistake in your career path one day and slowly lose everything you own. You still may be driving a fancy car,carrying a fancy phone and wearing your fancy shoes. But, since your job loss you have no means to pay for all of your bills and on top of it medical insurance… SOoo, you must put on those fancy pair of shoes (you own), get in that fancy car (you owe money on) and pay the bill for that fancy phone you own so when MEDICAID calls to consider you for medical insurance- you have a means to be contacted!! Let me guess – You are thinking ” this will never happe to me”!! Think again… We just lived through this as a DMD!!! NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!!!
To Tired of Moocher,
You seem to miss the point. Mongo, a police officer, is a government employee, as am I. Does that mean we are mooching off the government? I think not. We work our shifts, do our jobs, and go home to our families. Oh and of course we PAY TAXES too; income tax, social security tax, taxes on our cars, and if we own a home property taxes as well. Some might say we pay our own salaries. As for our health care insurance; it is all part and parcell of the benefit package the same that many private insurers offer. So what is the problem? I do not know about him, but when I retire I'll be footing the bill for my health care insurance.
It's called assuming…and just because you ASS-U-MEd the person he was talking about is black, makes you racist. Why isn't this person white, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Philipino or Vietnamese?????? WOW…that's why the world is the way it is today!
Oh, and I'm not white…nor am I black.
Um, did you read his letter Mechelle? It's people like the patient he was speaking of that your “pre-existing” condition was not covered…DUH!!!
Goodness gracious! And you think Dr. Jones was being judgmental?!
Maj. K. Wilson, you are missing the point!
only black ppl like r&b
The description of the patient was clearly meant to let the reader know that she was black. Let's see… gold tooth- check… many tattoos- check… expensive tennis shoes- check… R&B ringtone on cell phone- check… All that was missing was that she was eating fried chicken and watermelon!!!
I would not want to be taken care of by this judgemental schmuck.
It is not. There was no PHI released and you know that!
Most liberals do!
As a spouse, she supported her military husband when he was deployed. That alone is enough. Our men and women in uniform are vastly undersupported and underappreciated. You just proved it. And oh, by the way, his service to defending our country and our way of life more than pays for his wife's health care.
John Thomas MD wrote: ” Should we pay for an infant who is now severely devastated mentally and physically due to a Mother, who during pregnancy drank alcohol, took drugs, and abused her body with countless bacteria due to her active sex life? Should WE???”
Should we let that infant die? Should that infant pay for the 'abuses' in which its hypothetical mother indulged?
(and as others have pointed out the original petter from Jones referred to Medicaid a state run program, one which has nothing to do with the health care INSURANCE reform plan.
Um, I'm pretty sure I would not be able to identify this person in a line up of like appearanced people. To be personally identifiable, you have to discuss conditions that are unique to the person. I'm pretty sure this description applies to more than one patient he's treated, and definitely more than one person in that particular community.
“next time you talk to a member of your family back here in the states and they tell you how long they had to wait in the ED when they needed stitches or had a heart attack…. just remember that they probably waited because a patient with a serious case of “entitlement” was probably taking up the ER staff's time getting their bi-monthly pregnancy test courtesy of Joe taxpayer”
The wait is longer because the uninsured have no place to go but the ER. Under health care INSURANCE reform over 32 million will be covered and the ER time will be freed up. (and BTQW I worked in an ER. heart attack, big bleeding, not a cut on your thumb that barely oozes, etc take precedence and all others go to the back of the line. If you have worked in the er you know that so stop the exaggeration and misrepresentation.
It is not reform that is needed but doctors willing to be honest about the bad apples and medical societies and state licensing boards suspending and revoking licenses.
Then you have not met many poor people
Pray G-d you never become disabled. Not being able to work is a killer on the souls of many of those who are disabled,. What we would give to be able to go back to being able to work. Shame on you, I hope you don;t pass on this “value” to your students.
Did my mother-in-law reap what she sowed when she had a foot and later the entire leg amputated? She is on medicaid and the worst thing she ever did was spend hours volunteering at church and elementary school libraries. She, in fact, created those libraries from scratch. She cared for elderly parents, raised kids and maintained the home hearth by herself because her husband traveled all over the country to earn a living.
he is a complete jerk! This person he sees is not the majority of people who need medical care!
Not true.
so you're associating gold teeth, tattoos, expensive shoes and an R&B ringtone with black people? pretty much the most racist comment on this site. i hope you're ashamed of yourself.
Not a HIPPA problem. No identifying information was given out.
She's trying to say she worked to get where she is instead of screwing around and relying on the government and fellow taxpayers to bail her out. As a general rule, more work means more reward, and, as a former professor of mine used to say, “garbage in, garbage out.” Do you always avoid addressing people's comments and instead try to insult them?
Nice, critical response. We all humbly bow ourselves to your superior debating ability.
Way to stereotype there, Ace. Will there be an obese tea bagger with a new Ford pickup as a follow up to this series?
Pathetic.
Of course he was referring to a black person. You are naive if you think otherwise.
Go ahead. Try to ignore it. You know he was referring to black people. At least the doc came out and said it. People like you like to portray yourselves as not prejudiced, but then you get home and use the “n” word freely.
HOw do you know she's black? He never said she was black. Way to stereotype there, bud!
Snopes.com has a different version of Dr. Jones’ letter to the editor. Did you embellish it?????
Actually, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of racism is:
1
: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2
: racial prejudice or discrimination
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
And in the Encyclopedia Brittanica:
any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial worldview—the ideology that humans are divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called “races,” that there is a causal link between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural behavioral features, and that some races are innately superior to others.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/488187/racism
I don’t see anything about a minority or majority there. The first part of racism is defining that there are different races, when in fact, we are all humans. The next part is stating that one is superior to another. Doctor Jones did neither of these things in his letter. He described the patient, what she was wearing, the tattoos, a gold tooth, cell phone, and a ringtone. All costly or semi-costly things that were more important to the patient than purchasing health insurance. A culture problem, that indicates what she and others have takes higher priority than health, as they can spend money on expensive clothes and electronics and the government will take care of the rest.
I love how discussions like this turn into debates on racism.
Agreed!!!!!
learn to spell.
he wasn't talking about people like you. why ca't you read it for what it is? instead of turn it to fit your situation? i am an ER nurse of 16 years. i have worked all over the country. the segment of the population he speaks of is taking down our healthcare system, it is so rampant. where i live, its all illegals getting free healthcare. the other night, the “collection” bag for co-pays was $15 after a busy 8 hour shift!!! 15$$$!!! my co-pay is $100, i actually have to think about how sick i am before i head to the ER. so, back to your response, he wasnt talking about YOU. but in what he said, he is clearly wanting the system to not be so abused, which would only benefit you and every other person deserving of quality, affordable health care. our costs go up to support people whn come out of the womb hand first!!!!!!
That is awesome. I commend you on this story.
I pay his damn salary and I'll keep paying his damn salary because guess what?! He and others like him keep me feeling safe in my bed at night! He has to wear a bullet proof vest and carry a gun to work so he deserves every teeny tiny bit of compensation he gets and THEN SOME! I just love when low life idiots like yourself want to rip the police force apart but who is the first person you call when you need help?! Not the GhostBusters…..your local police officer.
Dear. Dr. Jones,
As an employees in the health care field, you, sir, are my new hero.
Mr. Jones….YOU ARE MY IDOL!!!
Cigarettes are an addiction. The lack of compassion in these posts by “doctors” is absolutely ridiculous.
Surely you jest ? You buy into the 'Cops' program propaganda. Working as a cop is NOT a dangerous occupation. They do not, and will never fall within the listing of 10 most dangerous occupations. You buy their “I never know when I leave the house in the morning if I'll be coming back this evening”" BS. No one knows and their occupation is NOT nearly as 'dangerous' as they want you to believe. Whiners ! with mega-benefits. They get into it for the power trip and the fun of reckless driving. Many, many innocent folks have lost their lives to these wannabe roadrace / rage warriors. In my long life I cannot recall a cop EVER being there when needed, always AFTER the fact and most often with a bad attitude.
Discussions like these let me know that racism is ALIVE and WELL–especially by people who purport not to be. Sigh. White people who have NEVER experienced racism will NEVER understand the burden that we minorities carry with us every day–mostly stemmed from thinking like that of “Dr.” Jones. (Side note for white people who *think* they have experienced racism: it is impossible as RACISM is defined as a MINORITY experiencing discrimination by someone in the MAJORITY race.)
“Me” is a racist. Look up the definition of racism sometime. Or if you want to continue to live in ignorance and pretend your blind hatred is OK because you're in the minority, that's your life.
Healthconnect2, you're an idiot.
I dont think I agree with this. He made the statements about what she was wearing in order to say that she had money to buy luxuries, but wanted the government to pay for her healthcare. He didnt say a negative thing about the African American race. He said he didnt want to pay for healthcare for people who spend their money on luxuries instead of necessities.
It isnt like people are paying him to sit at home. he is doing a job which is a necessity to society. And you aren't sending him a check in the mail. You pay taxes, just like he does. Most people only see it as mooching, because they aren't the one putting in the years. It is a good deal for police officers to retire with benefits. That is the way that the government says THANK YOU for ALL your hard work and dedication. If you dont like it, dont pay taxes. So I am in total support of MONGO's post and thank him for the public service that he performs. But everyone is entitled to their opinions.
This is like saying “Since you work at a restaurant, you should care about the things I eat.” And I would like to know what you said in your letter that automatically changed the situation of healthcare in America since you decided to bash the Dr. for it? So again….possibly another waste of time?
The doctors dont make the rules on how they get paid. they have to apply for a job and negotiate a salary just like everyone else who gets hired for a position. And what business is it of yours what anyone does with their money, as long as it is legal? And if everyone is so caught up on him doing a public service without pay, then go ahead and cut your next paycheck up. This doesnt only apply to doctors.
MY HUSBAND is a cop! And he DOES have a dangerous job. I'm not buying into a damn thing. And he does not get “mega-benefits”. You don't know a damn thing so I suggest you keep your ignorant mouth shut. I agree with healthconnect2=idiot. His name says it all….
There are plenty of free services to help smokers quit.
On the application it should ask if you own a TV or have cable, buy junk food, smoke, and more, do a physical on the individual and then tell them no. The only problem then is is that they go to a non profit hospital, have to be seen and don't pay anyway. Too many scum of the earth people nowadays that have been given too many freedoms the last 50 years. Civilized for a couple hundred years versus centuries. It's like trying to tame a wild animals, it takes many lifetimes to get it out of the BLOOD.
White girl here…and yes, I have experienced racism. I truly don't expect you agree (don't really care, either). The attitude that black people can't be racist it ridiculous! The only difference is that it is okay to be black and racist!
I totally agree with the doctor and glad he had the nerve to say it. Our system is out of control and I absolutely believe that in order to receive benefits you should have to pass a drug test and prove that you are actually TRYING to do it on your own.
Hippocratic Oath Fail:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.
Generalizing is fun!
I know some doctors who live in multi-million dollar homes in gated communities, get new cars every year, take multi-week international vacations every year, and send their kids to exclusive private schools. I bet… we can solve the health care cost crisis if all doctor's take a 50% pay cut! My family had to do that and we've survived. Seems like they could get by on less somehow; maybe hang on to a car for a couple years? Yeah, I know it'd be embarrassing when they ran into their buddies at the country club.
I wonder what Dr. Starner thinks of that?
Not once did he mention race, and furthermore, I live in an area and work as an RN in an emergency room, where we do not have that many black people but caucasians and hispanics who dress the same way this doctor has described. And how dare you ask what the spouse of a veteran has done to deserve medical care. That spouse, is not a civilian like you or I, they have lived by the rules of the branch of military they are connected with. When you are married to a military person, you are married to the military. How racist of you Wes654 to think that this was written about black people. I think Wes654 that you are offended because you fall into this catagory of “entitlement people” and do not wish to have your benefits cut. How DARE you live off MY hard earned taxes. How DARE you state Dr. Jones is casting opinions about black people, he is writing regarding ALL people using the system. The faster we cut people off the better off this country will become. Tough love. And if you're in this country illegally, no matter WHAT nationality you are, shame on your for making me work 60 hours a week to pay for your cigarettes, liquor, shoes and cell phones. I for one, am tired of supporting your lazy asses.
Nope, he actually was talking about every race that uses the system. I see it every day and its not the blacks where I see it, its the caucasians!
Somewhere a bird is dying of malnutrition… Of course people are going to take advantage of a system as vulnerable as medicaid. The system was built on good intentions and poorly executed. We don't need to abolish all government programs but rather revisit/rebuild them. There are plenty of people out there who genuinely benefit from medicaid.
I agree with LH. Working in an ER I see patient's come in all the time because they need a prescription for tylenol or motrin.. are you kidding me???? 1000.00 bill in the ER that the PUBLIC pays for because these people wont give up their cigarettes and cell phones to pay for 2.00 bottle of tylenol or motrin????? and NO I'm not being racist against blacks or hispanics..these are causasians.
Did you ever think that maybe “the shiny gold tooth” that everyone is complaining about was paid by Medicaid? Did you think that maybe that person had bought said clothing and said cell phone prior to having to be on Medicaid? As someone (a white mother of three) who is on state given assistance, I hate to be thought of as abusing the system when in reality I'm stuck living a lifestyle I hate – one that requires me to have to ask the system for help with things such as diapers and formula. That's not to say that I'm not given birthday and holiday gifts of brand name clothing for my children. Should I be looked at as scum of the Earth for having just gotten back from a WIC (Women Infant Children) appointment with my one year old and getting assistance with food and having him dressed in a Puma outfit (last I checked, Puma was an expensive brand) that he was given for Christmas? No, I shouldn't and nor should anyone else who has fallen upon hard times and has had to ask whatever state given agency for help. As for the “racist” comments, no the Dr. Roger S. Jones didn't outright state that the patient was black or of any other race, however, there was no need for him to point out that the person had an R&B ringtone. Would it have made a difference to the “good” doctor had it been Lady Gaga, Bruce Springstein, The Rolling Stones or Billy Ray Cyrus? I'm not saying that people don't abuse the system. I just was at the welfare office last week to replace my broken foodstamp card and I myself cast judgement on the people that were in there with designer baby strollers and dangling with gold jewels, but I did remind myself that maybe it wasn't “the state's money” that paid for those things. There was a woman there who was well dressed and was only on welfare due to her husband leaving her and her children and she was a stay at home mom up until that point. Now granted, there were people there that I know to be drug dealers from town and to know that they are getting the same benefits as me while making tons of money under the table selling crack to teenagers was enough to make me want to vomit, however, I had to look at it as maybe that's the only “work” they could find in this society. I've been on an active job search for months to come up with nothing and have to rely on the goodness of my family and the state to help me with my needs. So what if someone is dressed in expensive tennis shoes and has a gold tooth while they are on Medicaid? Does that mean they should be looked at as scum and not receive the same medical attention as someone with private insurance? And as far as this doctor being oh so great, I've just looked… his patients don't hold him in that high of regard as he's only been rated a 2 star doctor. Maybe if he spent more time acknowledging the health problems and concerns of his patients instead of what type of phone, shoes and health insurance they have, maybe his patients would rate him better. As far as military health insurance goes, my step father served in the Army for 20 years and is luckily covered for life, however, the amount of doctors that accept said insurance are few and far between. “his service to defending our country and our way of life more than pays for his wife's health care” – if that's the case, why should my mother have to be denied certain benefits and when she is approved have to drive a three hour round trip to be able to see certain doctors? “It's a valid point and you do reap what you sow. Why should I pay for people who don't allocate their budget's correctly?” – In my case, it's not that I didn't budget correctly: my husband and I lost our jobs working for HIS FAMILY and were forced to either give up our children to foster homes and be homeless or sign up for welfare. Maybe you should think that there are people out there who aren't “sucking the country dry” and be more about helping others. Go volunteer at a shelter or a food pantry and talk to some of those people so you can get it out of your heads that everyone on welfare or Medicaid is scum of the Earth.
I love R&B! I am a blond white chick. General statements like that are what gets you into trouble.
Also, I work in a hospital and retail Pharmacy. Doesn't matter what culter Medicaid Patients come from. The majority of them abuse thier Medicaid!
culture*
There are many parts of America where whites are the minority so don't think that whites havent expeirenced racism. As a white male I make up only 40% of the population of the city I live in where Blacks make up 55% and Latinos and other minorities make up the other 5%. So get off the whites cant understand racisms.
So, Patty: as you feel it's the right thing to do, I'd like to know how your personal crusade to change the negative lifestyle of that person goes. Did you say anything to them? Wait- did you call the police and ask them to say something? Did you talk to your congress person and ask them to talk to that baby-mama? Sure- leave it up to the pres. I'm sure he has nothing better to do.
The health-care crisis is a crisis on many levels; I don't disagree that there are people out there who put a drain the system because of the culture crisis that Dr Jones identified. But, there's also the health care providers, the HMO's, the sky-rocketing cost of malpractice insurance- and, ofcourse, the reason why the insurance costs outpace earnings anyhow- the malpractice suits. And those suits? Many are frivolous, shucksters looking to make a buck- and their lawyers (who make $2 themselves for every dollar they win).
You're welcome to start out by asking that woman in line if she's ok with herself, paying for steaks with foodstamps while you slave to eek-out a living. And you- the personally offended- would have every right to do so.
But why does someone else need to question that person's circumstances? The culture is the way it is because that person feels that they don't need to be accountable to anyone- save their babies and “the Man”. And, so long as the Man doesn't care what she's doing- well, the baby sure doesn't complain. Personal responsibility starts with the person. It doesn't start with the government. It doesn't start with the state, the city. It can start with the community, if the community is dedicated to such reform. And lastly- it can start with you…
But as I interpret your response, and in the same way-Dr. Jones', the government should be defining these folks' sensibility. “Stop giving them the opportunity to take advantage of the system”.
Ok.
But until they take responsibility for themselves, that's not going to happen. They'll continue to take advantage of the system where they can or they'll just slip through the cracks…. and quite possibly, either they'll give up or they'll just die. But that's ok- because they make their choices. If they choose to die, well… that's their choice- Right?
The bible teaches us that all life is sacred, and that where we have excess, we should share with our neighbor. It also says that that we should reach out to our brethren and be stewards of the spirit and stewards of the earth. Also- that we should not judge for that is God's job.
So, if you feel the need to intervene in someone's life based on the choices you see them make, and you let them judge themselves by way of asking for an explanation, by all means… do so. However, don't leave that up to someone else- take personal responsibility for it. Don't ask for the government's help to supervise you or them.
The Doctor is simply listing the things he noticed cost money. I work in a community based Hospital AND a retail Pharmacy. I see different people from different cultures. You are assuming the person is Black. From what I have seen, you have no idea what race the person is.
Also, I LOVE R&B- I do not match your assumed description either.
Instead of focusing on how to take offense from this letter. WE should look into the REAL problem. The hard working tax payers are paying for these medical visits! And the prescriptions they are buying!
I have seen enough to say with certainty. No matter from what culture people are abusing the government assisted system! Not claiming their spouse or job. Going to the Emergency room repeatedly for pregnancy test and certain drug seeking behavior. They don't want to make an appt to see the assigned Doctor because there is a SMALL co-pay. They instead go to the E.R. for things they should be making an appt for!(E.R. had NO co-pay)
In the Pharmacy, we have a drive-thru window. I see people in their Hummers and Volvo's, these would be the nicest vehicles in the whole town. ON MEDICAID!!! How is it they can drive these lovely cars and need that insurance??
And they were not simply borrowing these vehicles. These are people we have gotten to know for years. They live right down the street, getting their meds at least once a month!
This is so true!! My hat is off to you Dr. Starner!! If the public could see how many people abuse the system, they may change their tune on healthcare reform. They only people this is going to benefit are the users of the system. The working public is going to pay for antibiotics for IV drug users cellulitis while they make a cut off age for dialysis patients. I wish the public could walk through any emergency department in this country and see the people who abuse the system daily. They use the e.d's for things that could be taken care of in the office while they go weekly to get a fill in on their acrylic nails, or brag about their new tatoo. I say let the people who want this, can pay for them!
Sir, read the words.. that's quite an interpretation. a few too many assumptions.
i agree with the article and people need to stop making it a racist thing. My wife is a nurse and sees many patients like this and it is a problem with all types of Ethnicities that needs to be solved so Mr. President stop the people that are abusing the system and making it hard for everyone
This is so unbelievable…I am a mexican in South Texas and and I would say the one he has decsribed is mexican! I read this artical in the manner it was written in! And I agree…I'm tired of paying for all those unwilling to pull their own weight – not truly unable. The teen pregnancy rate is most highest in my race in my state. And I agree, we live in “A culture that thinks I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me.” And this is true to every race!
Doesn't smoking increase health care costs?
It's funny how our culture encourages people to reach for success or emulating success (if one cannot grasp it), but when someone does emulate success within the context of their cultural trappings (which clearly differed from those of the …Doc's), we call those people abusers of the system when the truth of their socioeconomic status is far less than the “image of success” they emulate.
Here we have a doctor (probably driving a BMW, Mercedes or other luxury car) griping about a patient on government assistance because that patient emulated success. She aspired to be better off financially, or at least appear that way. She was obviously poor, yet she has dreams. It might not be the doctor's white-man American dream, but its her American dream… not big, just some flash to carry around.
Yeah, she should stop smoking, but that isn't easy and I've known doctors who go through a pack a day… should we bar them from rendering medical services because they are hypocrites?
We have the resources to provide single-payer healthcare for everyone. We don't because of people like this doctor who push for tax cuts for the wealthy, tax cuts that push the middle class into poverty. This wealthy doctor complains about a poor person owning a cell phone with a custom ring tone (that cost 99 cents!) while he and people like him bitch and moan about not being able to afford a sixth high-end luxury vehicle. I have no sympathy for these crooks.
this pisses me off.. but i see it every freakin' day..
signed,
RN
The doctor was generalizing… there are people like this from all races/ethnic/religious backgrounds, he is referring more to our AMERICAN culture. If people would stop assuming everything has to do with race/income/ethnicity maybe we could start to solve some of our problems… or then again, maybe we are all too ignorant for that.
And she would not be included in the generalization listed above. The doctor is not saying that EVERYONE on Medicaid abuses the system, but it is because of those that do that we have such a problem. It is much like the cost of items in the store going up because of theft. When people steal healthcare, our costs go up. If people were only honestly using it when they needed it… maybe the problem wouldn't be as pronounced.
hmmm…. I could say the same for your response…. shallow. To assume that all doctors make extremely good money? I think you should check out ER Doctors actual average pay… you may be surprised. And the good doctor never said that medicaid was a bad thing, or that he or others may not need it at times. He referred to the abuse of the system by people who want everyone else to take care of them. I suggest you follow your own advice and don't judge people.
Thank you Jeff… very well said.
Reposting because this person summed it all up pretty well. Hope he/she doesn't mind…
Posted by bstan 5 months ago
Thank you Dr for inspiring debate. My only addition is that those who are offended by this commentary and have explained their situation which required their use of medicare do not quite understand your comments. I believe that your frustration is not ALL those on medicare however, those who abuse the system. Some use the system to get back on their feet, help through bad times, etc. However we have created the entitled, who refuse to work and don't even know how when given the opportunity. Instead, they satisfy all their pleasures, then expect those with some sense of duty to take care of them and provide the services that the rest of us pay for by working. It is very sad to see this happen. Dr. Jones did not judge, he observed. We are in too deep, it will never change, other countries with work ethics will begin to improve and we are headed down a very dangerous path. We have more lawyers than engineers, we are in trouble.
you and me both
I find it very interesting that many people on this site feel comfortable claiming the doctor is judgmental or raciest but yet they themselves are apparently pretty prejudice. Not all doctors make a lot of money and drive nice cars or live in fancy homes. Surgeons, specialists maybe, but most ER docs, and other young doctors are not in the upper class. Watch them as they walk out of the hospital after working a 12 or 18 hour shift… and you just may see them go to a car that is older and more beat up than yours. This post wasn't about race so stop making it about race.
Doctors deserve everything they have. They're the ones who go through years and years of education and training. If they want multi-million dollar homes in gated communities, new cars every year, multi-week international vacations every year, and to send their kids to exclusive private schools, then, by all means, they should be able to have those things.
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER:
This one is a little different. Two Different Versions. Two Different Morals.
OLD VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away..
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, We shall overcome. Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and once peaceful, neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.
Make sure that you pass this on to other ants. Don't bother sending it on to any grasshoppers because they wouldn't understand it anyway.
I Sir agree totally, and as a RN/FNP for 25 yrs have made the exact same observations…over and over and over again….Thank You for bringing this to light clearly !
I think this man is very brave in stating the above. I myself share the same view. I would love to have a conversation with this man at least once in my life time. I live in Canada and things here are different I know but somethings are identical.
No human being is “illegal.” I hope I never end up in your ER. Again, Ms. Clark's sage advice to think through the consequences of what you say in judgment of others you do not know has been ignored. As an ER nurse, since when were you authorized to inquire as to patients' immigration statuses? That's right! You weren't. Shut up, and go move to some dictatorship where you will be happy. This is the US and we have a Constitution – have a look see. You won't like it, I can guarantee you that, because it ensures undocumented persons in this country are entitled to receive emergency medical care – you know, because Americans have this crazy idea about basic decency without regard to race, religion, color or creed. But whatever, that was over 200 years ago now, and FOX rules us now.
George, you sound like someone who is very jealous about the amount of money physicians make. They worked very hard to get where they are! Have you dedicated 12 years of your life to learn how to save others? What they do is extremely important, not to mention, very stressfull!
I assure you that patient does not represent the vast majority of patients who qualify and receive Medicaid. While I understand this gentleman's points, he is sadly mistaken. Furthermore, the current healthcare initiatives to focus on quality are greatly needed. Hospitals across the nation still struggle with things as simple as hand washing compliance and wrong-site surgeries. Due to lack of health insurance, patients delay care and head to the emergency room rather than seeking primary care. Dr. Roger Starner Jones is indeed mistaken.
George, do you realize the training doctors must go through to get where they are? It's extremely grueling. The average resident works 80 hours per week (that's right, per week). They are married to their jobs: its not a 9 to 5. And if you don't work in the field, you can't even begin to imagine the stress that comes with the career. And by the way, I'm a nurse not a doctor.
God bless you, MAJ Wilson. Thank you for your service to this country in times of war and peace. Thank you for taking the time to craft a beautifully and compassionately written critique of the insidious letter written by Dr. Starner. Thank you for taking the gift of your education and professional training and sharing some of its best fruits with us in the form of your thoughts and observations. Your letter gave me much hope that real discourse is not yet dead in this country even though so much of it is well exemplified in the shallow hatefulness permeating the comments section on this page. Only 10 of us have liked your letter so far, while three times that number commend writers of ungrammatical, poorly spelled English and anti-constitutional propoganda. There was a day in this country when children were taught that the care they take in writing reflects the care they take in thinking. I have little cause to be optimistic about the depth of the average American's thoughts these days; and, Dr. Starner, is exemplar #1 of that. Even the very well-educated apparently cannot be burdened with the idea that they may just very well be wrong about those things that evoke the strongest emotions in them. That is assuredly a call to judge one's self, not another. Sadly, Dr. Starner did not heed that call. Thankfully, MAJ Wilson, you did.
WELL SAID!!
I see this scenario every night in the ED. This IS the real health care crisis!
I also work in the ED. I was treating an asthma patient who was having a significant attack, who smelled heavily of cigarettes, and said she smokes a pack and a half a day. When she was discharged with a prescription, she was furious that she wasn't 'given' an inhaler to take home with her from the ED, as she would have to come up with the $3 co-pay for the prescription. All I could do was bite my tongue, shake my head, and walk away.
I've lived and worked in the health care field in Missisisppi and am now back in Oregon. The charges Dr. Jones makes cuts across all races and cultures but trust me….he is not all that far off base. Anyone who works ER will tell you …there is entirely too much wasteful resources spent triaging, treating and paying for ER clients he describes. Many patients I recognized had no trouble getting a friend to drive them around town to collect their WIC vouchers, food stamps, go out “clubbing” or to the liquor store. Yet would not have time to schedule a physician appointment for a sick baby with an ear infection Monday through Friday; then think nothing of hailing a Medicaid paid cab at 3:00a.m. Sunday morning for an ER visit because they just “could NOT stand the baby being in pain any longer.”
Back in Oregon, I had to watch my employee being “advised” by our non-profit megalithic hospital finance department that in order to be elgible for their “poverty care program” (she was not Medicaid eligible) she would have to incur considerable medical debt. It didn't take long for her to have her hemorrhoids become a medical emergency and had them removed (as an inpatient) to the tune of US paying $20,000.00. I believe she is filing bankruptcy — but alas, feeling much bettter, thank you!
Now let's talk about why hospitals and physicians have to move into luxurious, expansive, EXPENSIVE digs every few years under the guise of writing off capitol expenses for their BOTTOM LINE. The only medical technology I have had to utilize in the last five years is a tube up the rectum for my routine baseline colonoscopy and cataract removal. Each in/out surgical center procedure (where I had the direct care of a provider that lasted less than 20 minutes for each procedure) Costed me and my insurance company twice my monthly mortgage payment. And it isn't cheap! See More
Susan H. RN, Nurse Practitioner
Dunkin Donuts could easily be considered an addiction as well. But I am very successful at driving right past their establishment on my way home to something healthy to eat. I care about my health, and I have to pay for my healthcare. Maybe that's why I have more control over my choices? I have compassion, but I'm not an idiot.
Oh, I would bet my sizeable annual salary that the good doctor received federal student loans to partially subsidize his education and those, my friend, are paid for by taxpayers. It is no longer 1929, and none of us gets by without taxpayer support – not one of us.
In many parts of the world health care is considered a basic human right, as derived from the 1948 Declaration on Universal Human Rights. The US stands very much alone among developed nations in treating health as a commodity.
So what can we do as a society to restructure the system to cut out the people abusing the system? what checks and balances would be fair?
I agree with George. By the way I'm in medical school right now and know exactly what it takes. I am still driving a 1999 toyota corolla and I see other medical student using their student loans to buy the latest BMW. The whole thing with Dr. Jones is messed up. He is flat out judging the patient. Sure there are people that take advantage of medicaid but they also take advantage of food stamps and social security. With food stamps and social security anyone would have enough money left over to buy a nice phone or a gold tooth. The real problem is that we need to fix the programs we already have.
The problem is….we all know people abusing the system. As we each struggle financially to keep things together in this economy it gets frustrating to know we are supporting others who don't give a damn and feel entitled to be taken care of whether its food, clothing, medical care, etc. This problem is in every race, religion, gender, you name it, but it is definitely a “Culture Crisis”.
Too much to read. I got bored.
My son's father left me when I was 2 months pregnant and I too was on Medicaid. As soon as I was able (after my son was one), I was off Medicaid. It isn't a lifestyle, it isn't even a way to make ends meet. It is TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE. Further more, the DOCTOR wasn't speaking of a RACE, he was speaking of the next generation culture that has bred it's way into existence. For some reason, this generation thinks it is OK to take what isn't theirs and for the most part DEMANDS it. And furthermore, they live above their means. Who cares that you have a cool phone or nice shoes? Is that going to get you an awesome job? Then great! Maybe that will fix the job issue in America. FREE SHOES and CELL PHONES FOR EVERYONE!!
Do your residency in Emergency Medicine and then I think you will have a better understanding of what Dr. Jones is saying. He is not “flat out judging” the patient. I am an emergency room nurse and am currently pursing my N.P. to practice in the ED.
The ED's in this nation are overcrowded – critically ill patients are not getting the quality care they need because resources are being taken for patients who inappropriately use the ED. And face the facts, those that abuse the ED are not the patients that have primary doctors.
After you have been in your practice five years, come back to this question and I think you will find your position has changed a little…
Wow… look at the kettle calling the pot BLACK. And no, that wasn't a pun intended. What Dr. Jones is referring to is the culture spawned by the generation that lives above their means, that expects things to be handed to them on a silver platter and doesn't care about the consequences. What is even worse is when someone is purchasing Porter House steaks and Lobster while carrying a Gucci purse and wearing Prada sunglasses and answering her iPhone while swiping her foodstamp card (true story). And I stand here in the grocery line purchasing my chicken and tuna because I live within my means and make sure that I can afford my lifestyle so no one has to afford it for me.
I agree and it's difficult to regulate who really needs it and who is abusing the situation. Many people who are not in health care, or more specifically, the ED, do not understand this situation.
I'm white, love R&B, and rap, work hard for what I have and pay for my own health insurance. Dr Jones is still wrong and possibly racist, but certainly an elitist narcissist who forgets the Hippocratic Oath and all the taxpayer-subsidized benefits he has enjoyed in his life regardless of his income. Health insurance companies and fly-by-night medical supply businesses ripping off Medicaid are far more a concern than some poor woman on Medicaid addicted to tobacco. Yes, all of us could stand to be more responsible for ourselves – and that ought to include our intellects and spirits. Should I be able to demand Dr. Jones submit to drug testing and monitoring because his intellect and spirit are clearly not being well cared-for? No, indeed, such an invasive practice would be unconstitutional, wouldn't it? 2nd and 3rd order consequences of our words and beliefs have consequences.
apolgies -meant to write – our words & beliefs have second and third order consequences.
generic Tylenol costs, what, 2 bucks? and cigarettes $7?!?! Hmmm… Suck it up and dig out some change. You are affecting my child's college education by making me pay for your medication!
You are doing the stereotype game. I bet most Tea Bagger's are not a burden on society. They are productive and are the one's paying for all of the free-loaders. No one wants to keep the truly needy from medical care. All you bleeding hearts need to do is spend some time in the ER some Friday night in Houston after the government checks have come out. I have been in one when we had to go there for a rape case and it is a scary place. Nice cars with big wheels and fur coats are common. You are typical, and have no idea of the real world.
Were we behind the same woman at the checkout line or is it some faint coincidence?! I think not…
Are you kidding??? Talk about being a hypocrite, Nice, you need to look in the mirror. You need to spend a night in an ER on a Saturday night and see the truth for yourself and I challenge you to do so. I too am tired of paying for medical care for those who choose not to take responsibility for their own health and well-being. I applaud Dr. Jones!!!
what an inanely stupid take. The doctor's point is that some, not all, folks wait on handouts to take care of their basic needs while frittering away their earnings on cell phones and bling. I promise you, no one “dreams” of being a cigarette addict who can't manage his personal finances and needs assistance just to purchase food or see a doctor. What sort of “dream” is that? Be careful next time you open your mouth, that you don't let stupid come out again.
How in the world did Dr. Jones complete a thorough examination on this “shiny toothed, tattooed physique, fancy footed” individual seeking medical attention. Findings have estimated that on average, the public can expect to spend no more than 10 to 16 minutes with their doctor, depending on the negotiations that the physician has made with that patient's insurance company.
What do you mean by Culture Crisis? Could you be saying… Ethnicity, Background, Upbringing, Social Class? Obviously Dr. Bigot, you aren’t referring to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant patient… Do we concur?
You mentioned that when you glanced over YOUR patients chart and just happen to notice that she was a Medicaid pay. With any luck during this momentary look, you were able to determine allergies to certain medicines, recent illnesses, current diagnosis. FYI, Medicaid serves are vast variety of folks, low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Different types of coverage for people with different needs. So enlighten me, why was the form of payment important to the attending physician? Would her care have been different?
1. She was a smoker – According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, an estimated 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women are smokers. It’s not like you discover the last living lover of cigarettes.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones body, sometimes it comes down to affordability.
3. She eats pretzels and drinks beer – Clearly downing the pretzels champagne and caviar would have caused a culture shock heard around the world.
Your lack of compassion, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me in the least, it saddens me. When you became a doctor, do you not remember the oath you took;
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Correct me if I’m wrong – I could find anywhere in this oath the quote that gives a doctor the right to have a preconceived notion of the person he/she is about to help.
Dr. Jones, now that you’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, why don’t you go and buy yourself that fancy cell phone you were so enthralled with. If you forgot the particulars, you could always call the patient and get all the details. I believe her phone number is in her chart on the line just above the payer status.
How in the world did Dr. Jones complete a thorough examination on this “shiny toothed, tattooed physique, fancy footed” individual seeking medical attention. Findings have estimated that on average, the public can expect to spend no more than 10 to 16 minutes with their doctor, depending on the negotiations that the physician has made with that patient's insurance company.
What do you mean by Culture Crisis? Could you be saying… Ethnicity, Background, Upbringing, Social Class? Obviously Dr. Bigot, you aren’t referring to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant patient… Do we concur?
You mentioned that when you glanced over YOUR patients chart and just happen to notice that she was a Medicaid pay. With any luck during this momentary look, you were able to determine allergies to certain medicines, recent illnesses, current diagnosis. FYI, Medicaid serves are vast variety of folks, low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Different types of coverage for people with different needs. So enlighten me, why was the form of payment important to the attending physician? Would her care have been different?
1. She was a smoker – According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, an estimated 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women are smokers. It’s not like you discover the last living lover of cigarettes.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones body, sometimes it comes down to affordability.
3. She eats pretzels and drinks beer – Clearly downing the pretzels champagne and caviar would have caused a culture shock heard around the world.
Your lack of compassion, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me in the least, it saddens me. When you became a doctor, do you not remember the oath you took;
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Correct me if I’m wrong – I could find anywhere in this oath the quote that gives a doctor the right to have a preconceived notion of the person he/she is about to help.
Dr. Jones, now that you’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, why don’t you go and buy yourself that fancy cell phone you were so enthralled with. If you forgot the particulars, you could always call the patient and get all the details. I believe her phone number is in her chart on the line just above the payer status.
Julieann Ruggiero-Swanson – Waterford, CT
This must be a comment from somebody who did not go to several years of education, paid off hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, and who works 20 hour days saving peoples lives to make the thousands they do. I believe doctors are entitled to all they receive! And surely, this wasnot the first person he had seen with this background bfore he took the time to write a letter about it!
I see situations like this every day in the medical office I work for. People have medical assistance for themselves or their children, yet they still have one (or two, three) of the latest cell phones, laptops, fast food with them, brand name purses and clothing, manicured nails. Then unfortunately the families that have private healthcare sometimes seem to be the ones struggling to get by!
How in the world did Dr. Jones complete a thorough examination on this “shiny toothed, tattooed physique, fancy footed” individual seeking medical attention. Findings have estimated that on average, the public can expect to spend no more than 10 to 16 minutes with their doctor, depending on the negotiations that the physician has made with that patient's insurance company.
What do you mean by Culture Crisis? Could you be saying… Ethnicity, Background, Upbringing, Social Class? Obviously Dr. Bigot, you aren’t referring to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant patient… Do we concur?
You mentioned that when you glanced over YOUR patients chart and just happen to notice that she was a Medicaid pay. With any luck during this momentary look, you were able to determine allergies to certain medicines, recent illnesses, current diagnosis. FYI, Medicaid serves are vast variety of folks, low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Different types of coverage for people with different needs. So enlighten me, why was the form of payment important to the attending physician? Would her care have been different?
1. She was a smoker – According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, an estimated 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women are smokers. It’s not like you discover the last living lover of cigarettes.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones body, sometimes it comes down to affordability.
3. She eats pretzels and drinks beer – Clearly downing the pretzels champagne and caviar would have caused a culture shock heard around the world.
Your lack of compassion, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me in the least, it saddens me. When you became a doctor, do you not remember the oath you took;
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Correct me if I’m wrong – I could find anywhere in this oath the quote that gives a doctor the right to have a preconceived notion of the person he/she is about to help.
Dr. Jones, now that you’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, why don’t you go and buy yourself that fancy cell phone you were so enthralled with. If you forgot the particulars, you could always call the patient and get all the details. I believe her phone number is in her chart on the line just above the payer status.
How in the world did Dr. Jones complete a thorough examination on this “shiny toothed, tattooed physique, fancy footed” individual seeking medical attention. Findings have estimated that on average, the public can expect to spend no more than 10 to 16 minutes with their doctor, depending on the negotiations that the physician has made with that patient's insurance company.
What do you mean by Culture Crisis? Could you be saying… Ethnicity, Background, Upbringing, Social Class? Obviously Dr. Bigot, you aren’t referring to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant patient… Do we concur?
You mentioned that when you glanced over YOUR patients chart and just happen to notice that she was a Medicaid pay. With any luck during this momentary look, you were able to determine allergies to certain medicines, recent illnesses, current diagnosis. FYI, Medicaid serves are vast variety of folks, low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Different types of coverage for people with different needs. So enlighten me, why was the form of payment important to the attending physician? Would her care have been different?
1. She was a smoker – According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, an estimated 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women are smokers. It’s not like you discover the last living lover of cigarettes.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones body, sometimes it comes down to affordability.
3. She eats pretzels and drinks beer – Clearly downing the pretzels champagne and caviar would have caused a culture shock heard around the world.
Your lack of compassion, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me in the least, it saddens me. When you became a doctor, do you not remember the oath you took;
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Correct me if I’m wrong – I couldn't find anywhere in this oath the quote that gives a doctor the right to have a preconceived notion of the person he/she is about to help.
Dr. Jones, now that you’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, why don’t you go and buy yourself that fancy cell phone you were so enthralled with. If you forgot the particulars, you could always call the patient and get all the details. I believe her phone number is in her chart on the line just above the payer status.
OK people
Here's a good way to see it. Just re-posting what one person responded with (triathlon Doc)-
Okay folks…for all those people missing the whole point of Dr. Jones' post. I too am a physician and share these exact same sentiments. It doesn't mean I'm racially biased or refuse to care for the uninsured, etc. There are plenty of “insured” who fall under this sense of entitlement attitude.
Let me give my “perspective”. A patient once asked me what I thought of the state of health care today. I simply gave her this analogy…
I asked her…”Have you bought a car before?” She said yes. I then said “Well then I assume you also went out and bought auto insurance as well.” She said yes. I then asked her…”Did you go out after you got insurance and purposefully drive your car into a brick wall, back up and do it again?” She laughed and said no. I simply asked…”why not?” She shrugged and said it would damage the paint job, the engine, etc. I said “exactly”. I then said, “what if you did drive into a wall, would you take it to your autodealership, expect them to fix it like brand new and expect all the people who DIDN'T run their car into a wall to pay for it?”
She was silent….she knew what I was getting at….she is a smoker and is obese. Just because people have insurance or someone else pays for it, for some reason gives them this sense of entitlement to live unhealthy lives. Dr. Jones isn't harping on people with gold teeth and cell phones, etc. We're harping on those who feel they can drive their body into oblivion (i.e. eating themselves to obesity; smoking themselves to death) and EXPECT for us and the rest of us taxpayers who do live a healthy lifestyle to coddle them when their body gives out. It's THOSE people we as doctors can't stand.
Being a “military brat”, I completely agree! I dare others who judge military benefits to give up their loved ones and large portions of their own lives moving around, etc….then come talk to me
George you are an uninformed idiot.
John you are another likely uneducated, certainly uninformed jealous idiot. The average salary of a doctor is about $150,000 a year of which one third is payed in taxes. And how about the 6 figure loans and at least 12 years of education to practice medicine? Few doctors own homes worth more than $500,000 and do not buy new cars every year. Doctors are undercompensated and unappreciated by IDIOTS like you. By the way moron $150,000 a year is middle class. Try working for something in your life instead of making idiotic statements about people that have worked too hard for what they get in return.
Do you think Mother Teresa worked very hard to get where she was? What about her level of dedication? Saving others? Was what she did extremely important? I doubt George is jealous at all of the money many doctors have, any more than I am. We just have a different set of VALUES about what “deserve” means…..
The racist overtones in this should be a hint to people. The anti-welfare argument that is embedded in this article should be a hint to people.
So I guess when the life of any of your family members need to be saved, you'll be turning to your neighbor down the street who works at some dinky place? Because damn these doctors! Right? (Sarcasm)
You obviously don't know what a doctor has to go through to help save lives. Wow, what are they thinking sending their children to a good school?! Damn, and why would ANYONE want to take a vacation??? I'm not a doctor at all, but do see what they have to go through just to become one. And not all doctors live luxuriously, so quit “generalizing” doctors as well. Maybe if you actually looked into it, some doctors don't even have the luxury of having a family because most of their time goes into helping people. But you don't see stuff like that, do you?
It is interesting that one will attack a person who feels he is entitled to something such as welfare, and then defend their own entitlements. Doctor's deserve to be paid well, but many doctor's choose to make less to serve a community. While they deserve a decent salary they are not entitled to “everything they can get.” Teacher's that are good deserve far more than most of them make, some probably should make as much or more than some doctor's if one rates the good they do. Many ER workers become jaded because of the class and situations people put themselves in, but do this mean this is where the health care debate should ride? Is it ok to let people lose everything because they are sick and lost their job? Prior to the recent foreclosure crisis 70-80% of foreclosures were because of medical bills. To ascribe the healthcare crisis to people that don't want to work is a narrow minded ignorant approach that does nothing to address the real problems!
I am telling you if the government could just regulate what we spend our money on and put us all on saving plans that can help us get ahead so we could all afford some sweet health care. Or at least make everyone have some form of Health Care before they can do things like buy a car, get a loan for a house, or have a cell phone. Tax the hell out of some fast food and we might not have to even raise taxes to bang out an exciting new Health Care System.
I'm going to do my residency in pediatrics and I know that a large amount of pediatric patients are on medicaid. Like I said, that's why we need to fix the programs that are already in place instead of creating more problems. There are screenings that need to be done that could prevent people from taking advantage of medicaid, welfare, etc.
No wonder people DONT see doctors, What a bunch of asses!
I agree with Dr. Jones, Medicaid is handed out too freely. I receive Medicaid for my son, and thank the government wholeheartedly, because I cannot afford health insurance. (Background: single-mother, working as an assistance at an office, non-smoker, non-owner of a brand new touch screen phone, owner of a used 1997 corolla for 3 years now and going to school for a nursing degree) I am proud to say that I take care of myself, and I take even better care of my son. It's tedious waiting in the Medicaid line to apply, renew, etc… It's bothersome standing behind a lady wearing expensive shoes, holding an expensive purse and cell phone, reeking of weed, and her son (who looks almost 5 years old) is wearing ONLY a diaper. My heart goes out to that boy, but at least the mom was getting Medicaid? Yet my friend who needs medicaid for her daughter got denied because she had a car under her name… and she does not have enough to buy affordable health insurance. Then, as I'm walking to my car, I noticed a man – who was also in the line with me – walking into to his new Mercedes-Benz with a Medicaid appointment paper??? I'm sure affording health insurance must be difficult for him!! (Geographical background: I live near the border of Mexico) Many-many-many with no social security and don't even live in the US are receiving Medicaid.
I think Medicaid should do medical evaluations before handing it out, instead of just asking financial questions. And maybe actually deny people who don't care to take of themselves, and then educate them. Education in the US needs to be stronger, especially health-wise. Strengthen the health classes in schools, and really traumatize the young with evidence of dead lungs, dead brains, and STDs. Instead of just giving an easy “A”. And MAYBE actually enforce that US citizens should be receiving Medicaid, especially since it's the citizens taxes that are paying for it.
I do my clinical rotations as a student nurse in a hospital and a nurse had pointed out to me a 35 year old “frequent flyer” receiving dialysis all the time, because he doesn't care to take care of himself and take his medicines. And yes, he is receiving Medicaid. I saw a man who “accidentally” cut of his fingers because he got dumbed-up from using cocaine, on Medicaid. The lady who got in a car accident because she was drunk and high, on medicaid – home address: Mexico. And sooo many others…..
This doctor isn't ignorant. I've read many of the posts, and “racist?”… He did not mention the “nigger girl”, the “fresa down the street”, the “trailer-trash looking chick”. Oh but he's from Mississippi, he's definitely racist! (Mocking someone's post). He merely noticed a problem in the government-health issue, and issued it with an example. Should he have described 5 more people that don't care about their health? Because I'm pretty sure I could give a whole 10 page report of examples! He didn't mention the generally healthy, middle-aged woman with a genetic heart problem on Medicaid. He pointed out the girl who cared to buy drugs and alcohol, instead of proper health care and maybe some vegetables. I'm pretty sure he took care of that woman, wouldn't wanna get hit with a lawsuit, now would he? He probably just dislikes that he's wasting his time on someone who doesn't care about herself, instead of helping the more serious person in the bed next to hers.
Yet people are quick to say, “OMG! This doctor! How dare he say she doesn't deserve health care!” I'm sure if someone went up to you and said, “Hey, we're going to take a portion of your salary because this druggie needs to be taken care of. Oh you have kids? Sorry, but she's human too… so you need to pay up.” You would be quick to say “No”. Oh and that earlier post, but what would Mother Teresa do?! Really???? Want to cast the first stone while you're at it… because I'm sure all your time and money goes to helping every human on this earth, right?
Then there's posts, “Oh smoking is so hard to quit!” Bullshit. My uncle died of smoking, my sister is going to die of smoking, my brother was daily smoker. They're not stupid. They can read the labels, they've been educated. My brother found the willpower and help to quit smoking, and he did.
Oh and then the infamous posts about this doctor's salary!! Or every doctor's salary for that matter! Damn, look at this smug doctor with his BMW, gated-home, kids in private schools, and expensive vacations! How dare he just save my mother's life, and then go out and put his kids in private schools! How double dare he just stop a person from hemorrhaging to death, and then buy himself some new clothes! OMG!! How selfish!!! He should put MY son into a private school instead of his. Sarcasm here. Seriously people…. Let's all attack doctors and their big paychecks, because God forbid they help save lives and earn money for doing so.
Medicaid needs a big checkup. Maybe hospitals could give better quality care if they were provided with better quality equipment, environment, etc… But they have to cut costs because the government is shisty in funding them. But quick to pay $30,000 dollars for the dialysis person that doesn't care about himself, or room that the cocaine addict is occupying. There should be more affordable health care for people.
Or maybe if people actually took death seriously, there would be a change. “Oh, I smoke 2 packs a day? That's okay the government's money (aka people's tax money) will pay for the health care I need to make my lungs better, so I could continue to smoke some more!” …. Maybe if they got denied Medicaid, they would think, “Damn, I should stop smoking two packs a day! I can't afford the medical bills! I could die and my kids would be alone.”
Just saying…..
Given that the cost of health insurance for a family of four, according to the Kaiser Foundation, is now approximately $13,000 per year and given the low income threshold required to qualify for medicaid, the doctor's prescription is not only unrealistic, it's plain stupid. Besides the implicit racism in his account (is it the 99 cent R & B ringtone that offends the good doctor or does he comment on the ringtone to signal the racial composition of our picture of the undeserving poor). Yes, isn't it a shame that the poor should be addicted to tobacco, so aggressively marketed for decades with huge advertising budgets of the deserving rich and powerful–the good doctor could have helped the patient when medicaid would cover some of the cost of getting her off tobacco by recommending a plan to end tobacco dependency. Perhaps he's offended that the poor should, heaven help us, have a cell phone, when pay phones have been almost universally removed. Perhaps she has a child and schools and daycare facilities sometimes have to contact parents–the poor should live in isolation. And be toothless. And be unadorned in rags, miserable and prostrate before the good doctor. The real culture problem is a doctor insensitive to the experiences of poverty and race in America, the real cost of health care for individuals and families who do not have employers who provide quality care, and who make snap judgments about patients without understanding the context of their lives. And, yes, who profit more handsomely from a system that distributes healthcare so inequitably (and too bad he chose the emergency room and has to encounter the undeserving poor–most private physician practices won't accept medicaid, much less the 40,000,000 or so working poor who don't qualify for medicaid.
I agree with Dr. Jones, Medicaid is handed out too freely. I receive Medicaid for my son, and thank the government wholeheartedly, because I cannot afford health insurance. (Background: single-mother, working as an assistance at an office, non-smoker, non-owner of a brand new touch screen phone, owner of a used 1997 corolla for 3 years now and going to school for a nursing degree) I am proud to say that I take care of myself, and I take even better care of my son. It's tedious waiting in the Medicaid line to apply, renew, etc… It's bothersome standing behind a lady wearing expensive shoes, holding an expensive purse and cell phone, reeking of weed, and her son (who looks almost 5 years old) is wearing ONLY a diaper. My heart goes out to that boy, but at least the mom was getting Medicaid? Yet my friend who needs Medicaid for her daughter got denied because she had a car under her name… and she does not have enough to buy affordable health insurance. Then, as I'm walking to my car, I noticed a man – who was also in the line with me – walking into to his new Mercedes-Benz with a Medicaid appointment paper??? I'm sure affording health insurance must be difficult for him!! (Geographical background: I live near the border of Mexico) Many-many-many with no social security and don't even live in the US are receiving Medicaid.
I think Medicaid should do medical evaluations before handing it out, instead of just asking financial questions. And maybe actually deny people who don't care to take of themselves, and then educate them. Education in the US needs to be stronger, especially health-wise. Strengthen the health classes in schools, and really traumatize the young with evidence of dead lungs, dead brains, and STDs. Instead of just giving an easy “A”. And MAYBE actually enforce that US citizens should be receiving Medicaid, especially since it's the citizens’ taxes that are paying for it.
I do my clinical rotations as a student nurse in a hospital and a nurse had pointed out to me a 35 year old “frequent flyer” receiving dialysis all the time, because he doesn't care to take care of himself and take his medicines. And yes, he is receiving Medicaid. I saw a man who “accidentally” cut of his fingers because he got dumbed-up from using cocaine, on Medicaid. The lady who got in a car accident because she was drunk and high, on medicaid – home address: Mexico. And sooo many others…..
This doctor isn't ignorant. I've read many of the posts, and “racist?”… He did not mention the “nigger girl”, the “fresa down the street”, the “trailer-trash looking chick”. Oh but he's from Mississippi, he's definitely racist! (Mocking someone's post). He merely noticed a problem with the government-provided health care, and issued it with an example. Should he have described 5 more people that don't care about their health? Because I'm pretty sure I could give a whole 10 page report of examples! He didn't say the generally healthy, middle-aged woman with a genetic heart problem on Medicaid. He pointed out the girl who cared to buy drugs and alcohol, instead of proper health care and maybe some vegetables. I'm pretty sure he took care of that woman, wouldn't wanna get hit with a lawsuit, now would he? He probably just dislikes that he's wasting his time on someone who doesn't care about herself, instead of helping the more serious person in the bed next to hers.
Yet people are quick to say, “OMG! This doctor! How dare he say she doesn't deserve health care!” I'm sure if someone went up to you and said, “Hey, we're going to take a portion of your salary because this druggie needs to be taken care of. Oh you have kids? Sorry, but she's human too… so you need to pay up.” You would be quick to say “No”. Oh and that earlier post, but what would Mother Teresa do?! Really???? Want to cast the first stone while you're at it… because I'm sure all your time and money goes to helping every human on this earth, right? Are you really comparing the two?
Then there are posts, “Oh smoking is so hard to quit!” Bullshit. My uncle died of smoking, my sister is going to die of smoking, my brother was daily smoker. They're not stupid. They can read the labels, they've been educated. My brother found the willpower and help to quit smoking, and he did.
Oh and then the infamous posts about this doctor's salary!! Or every doctor's salary for that matter! Damn, look at this smug doctor with his BMW, gated-home, kids in private schools, and expensive vacations! How dare he just save my mother's life, and then go out and put his kids in private schools! How double dare he just stop a person from hemorrhaging to death, and then buy himself some new clothes! OMG!! How selfish!!! He should put MY son into a private school instead of his. Sarcasm here. Seriously people…. Let's all attack doctors and their big paychecks, because God forbid they help save lives and earn money for doing so.
Medicaid needs a big checkup. Maybe hospitals could give better quality care if they were provided with better quality equipment, environment, etc… But they have to cut costs because the government is shisty in funding them. But quick to pay $30,000 dollars for the dialysis person that doesn't care about himself, or room that the cocaine addict is occupying. There should be more affordable health care for people. There are many people who really, really need and should get Medicaid, but are getting denied.
Or maybe if people actually took death seriously, there would be a change. “Oh, I smoke 2 packs a day? That's okay the government's money (aka people's tax money) will pay for the health care I need to make my lungs better, so I could continue to smoke some more!” …. Maybe if they got denied Medicaid, they would think, “Damn, I should stop smoking two packs a day! I can't afford the medical bills! I could die and my kids would be alone.”
Just saying…..
you sound like you have a degree in sociology – which probably means you don't know anything about hard work.
Ok, Doctor. Can I share my point of view now… I am a product of this crappy economy at the present time. I am a mother of almost 4 children (one due in December) and living in a home that we are one step away from losing. My husband's salary was recently cut by 25% and from there our financial stability has gone down hill drastically.
Our biggest complaint is the cost WE PAY for health insurance. Our health insurance premium per month is $740.00. And that I tell you is for an HMO and crappy coverage. Just for prescriptions we have to meet a $2500 deductable even before insurance will cover a dime.
So where has this left us you ask??? I have recently had to apply for WIC (Women, Infants and Children), Food Stamps and government supplimentary health insurance. Let me inform you that only I qualified for the government health insurance because I am pregnant. My husband and three other children were denied. Why? Because we currently have other private insurance.
So we are not that culture you speak of driving fancy cars, carrying the latest cell phones, sporting designer clothes and certainly NOT smoking cigarettes!!! We are just a typical American family struggling to stay above water.
Sincerely,
Just a family of 6
Actually you're kind of stupid. Instead of defending probably your own personal habits why don't you realize that while no one dreams of becoming an addict they don't seem to help themselves either by quitting. No one dreams of getting fat either so how does that happen? No self control and no will power to take charge of one's own health and body. So sorry, but maybe it's time for everyone to grow up, actually learn something in school, and get a real education. Hobo doesn't count. There are more and more people everyday who live outside of their means, spend money that they don't have, and then apply for financial aid. People in the healthcare industry work their asses off during school, have huge debts to pay, but somehow still always manage to pay off their loans. Why can't everyone else be as responsible?
Doctors spend over 10 years in medical school and and loans over $250,000 and still manage to pay it off. What do you think of that? They learn amounts of information that you couldn't even understand if you wanted to. They deserve every penny they earn and even more. You're in a a fantasy world if you think all doctors make millions and millions of dollars. What about family medicine doctors and pediatricians. Have you looked up their salary? It's less than $110,000 and from that they still have to pay taxes, health insurance, massive loans from school, car insurance, and not to mention everyone else's daily living as the so called 'rich' get taxed even more. Don't be jealous of a life you may have wanted but didn't work hard enough to get there. You have no idea of what doctors go through to be able to act the way that they do when they start practicing. How much material was ever on your college exam? Perhaps two-three weeks worth of information? Try semesters worth of information for doctors. Try going to med school and maybe you'll realize your entire post is ridiculous.
I, for one, do not want a doctor trying to save me distracted by money troubles! They do more than the average person, are more educated, and are in great demand for their skills. That is someone who deserves more than average pay.
ANYONE IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT PERMISSION OR PROPER DOCUMENTATION IS ILLEGAL! THEY BROKE THE LAW, so they are also CRIMINALS. And I strongly suggest you READ the constitution. It DOES NOT “ensure that undocumented persons in this country are entitled to receive emergency medical care” If it does, please show me what article it is in!
synonyms of meek**: demure, down-to-earth, lowly, humble, modest, unassuming, unpretentious
**Merriam-Webster Dictionary
That thing you call a vagina is not a revolving door. Stop spitting out kids and you would not have such a problem with obtaining and keeping insurance. NO is not a four letter word and you should practice it with your husband.
Just because you chose the path of life you are currently on gives you ZERO right to judge others for their path.
“You're in a a fantasy world if you think all doctors make millions and millions of dollars.”
So it's OK for the good Dr. to generalize about all his patients but not for me to generalize about all doctors? I think you all missed the sarcasm 101 class.
I think it's great to have these debates. There will always be those who “work” the system. If you're suggesting that there should not be a system to work (yes, a simple solution), what then?
It is our parents' responsibility (not the President's) to teach us to be honest and to take care of ourselves.
These guys say he wrote it!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/starner.asp
I AM ON YOUR SIDE DR. ROGER STARNER JONES !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I disagree with this statement. This is a generational crisis, not a cultural crisis. There is a huge difference. This statement of culture is an attitude and/or behavior of a particular social group. This social group that this letter is referring to is the Black culture which is stereotyping.
Blacks are not the only individuals on Medicaid but that is the assumption. Medicaid and welfare benefits were brought about in 1930 to aid the White family in poverty. Remember, the Civil Rights Act and EEOC had not begun until 1964-1965. Obviously, Black people were not afforded the right of these type of benefits because of the equality of the times. Lets be real, American culture was based on money, power and oppression; and the founders of this country felt that their own were entitled and still are. The President does not decide whether or not a bill is passed. He may sign the bill but Congress runs this country. The President is a figure that we look at, and criticize for whatever reason. If the U.S. Congress has the right to veto the President's bill, they run this country. This is simple U.S. History facts. Why do you think there is always a struggle for the seats in the house? Whomever gets control, has the power.
I can recall a surgeon doing open heart surgery on a homeless White man when he was refused by every other hospital because he didn't have any insurance. There was a 32 year old man with an EF of 5%, non-compliant, smoked weed, drank, did drugs and was placed on ECMO for 36 hours and then died. He also happened to be White and without insurance.
I do not believe that any upstanding, respectable physician of medicine would ever write anything of this nature. Where in the H & P does is say that someone eats fast food everyday? Who would actually admit to that? If she was on Medicaid, it is more than likely that she also had food stamps, so why in the world would she spend $20 a day to eat out? To me, this shows that this so called physician is extremely unprofessional and had made an uneducated and bias statement about one cultural group. No doctor cares about who is on Medicaid or Medicare and neither should we. They get paid either way and having state insurance is better than having no insurance. Who absorbs the cost of those with no insurance….the working people!
You're prejudice and is obviously unaware that your own “people” are on Medicaid as well. People need to take cultural diversity classes for these types of shenanigans. You cannot put a culture as an entirety in a box and that is exactly what this posting does. I'm a nurse, my father owns a business with 10 different rental properties that generate him well over 350K a year. Most of my family members are college degree holders that own homes, work or are entrepreneurs. Most of the CRNA's that I've encountered here in Detroit are Black. Where do we fit in this cultural crisis?
Ignorance is not blissful and knowledge is power.
Why aren't you a doctor, George? Don't you want millions of dollars, the ability to send your children to private schools and take multi-week vacations? Who doesn't? Just become a doctor, George, because it's so easy…right? Take the time to think about what one goes through to get to a place where they can afford all of those luxuries.
Not everyone has what it takes to become a doctor but the people who do have what it takes deserve everything they get. Don't be so bitter. Dr. Jones could have easily taken the path of his patient and lived off of someone elses money but HE DECIDED to go to medical school.
Oh, by the way…ever heard of “natural selection”?
Working in healthcare for 25 years, there are those that scam Medicaid. But there are many more that truly need and qualify for it. At some level, are there not scammers in every social class, the doctors that run through charges to their practices to avoid taxes, take distributions rather than salaries to avoid taxes, etc. ED are packed with the lower social classes, but should we not try to educate them better? Many years ago one family showed up for free dental sealants, recognizing the need for them. What the mother didnt' understand is that she had dental insurance through her employer that paid 100% for them, as well as exams and cleanings at 100%. But she didn't know ANYTHING about how insurance worked. Sad. Blanket judements and blame will not fix anything.
Hey Roony – I have a degree in sociology. I work sixty hours a week between a job an internship and graduate school. I also buy my own health insurance and pay a mortgage every month but I still disagree with this doctor. It would be great if issues such as poverty, health disparities, and social class etc. were really so easy to explain because then they would be easy to fix. This man is a medical doctor (a clinician) not a PhD in sociology, social-psychology, anthropology, economics or political science. He is certainly entitled to his opinion I just don't believe that it is a very informed one.
Could Mother Teresa perform a quadruple bypass? Could she remove a brain tumor? Hell, did she even know how to work defribulators or take a blood sample?
I agree, as long as I do not have to pay for the path they choose. “Your right to swing your arm ends when it hits my face.” If you are free to choose a lifestyle, you are the one who needs to pay for it.
So have you got an new tats? do you have a gold tooth? Those of us who see the abuse of the system are not saying there should not help for those who need it. It is when It is abused that it bothers me. When I am getting my nails done and a youge woman nearby is complaining about not getting enough AFDC. Really? When I don't have enough money I don't get my nails done. My daughter works in a grocery store. She has to argue daily with people on food stamps about what they are allowed to buy, then they turn around and spend more money on ciggaretts and booze than they just spent on food. So they have the money for booze but the govenment has to pay for their food?
I couldnt agree MORE with him. He is not speaking about people who NEED this assistance – he is speaking of people who ABUSE this assistance. Re-read this – and maybe you'll recognize the difference. I KNOW of people who “LIVE” off the system – and REFUSE to get married, and have child after child. WHY?!?!? Because in our country – we rely on OTHERS to take care of US!!!! Have children WHEN you can afford them…I DID. And, we are STILL struggling on my husbands salary and mine. It bothers me that I SEE EVERYDAY people buy cigarettes and lottery tickets and drive nicer cars than I do – but I end up buying their groceries and paying for the kids they CANT afford. But, yet their groceries don't include milk, eggs and bread – they include CHIPS, POP, and JUNK FOOD. Where are our priorities?! Where have the morals gone?! He's not speaking to those who are STRUGGLING in this economy – he's referring to those who CHOOSE NOT TO BETTER THEMSELVES IN THIS COUNTRY.
Susan, I think they were trying to cut corners. I'm no Doctor, but I'm pretty sure they should never have used the colonoscope to remove your cataracts.
I'm not trying to be rude – but if you are struggling that bad – then WHY would you have another child?! It's only going to make it MORE difficult on YOU and your family. And, also – it's more taxpayers dollars to take care of ANOTHER child!!!!!
She said it best: “We are just a typical American family”
Doctors get payed what they deserve, in some case nearly a quarter of what they make goes to mal-pratice insurance due to our societies incessant need to sue each other. Its sad when you try to help people and they sue you over petty things. Doctors have a rough job and have alot riding on their shoulders. Their pay is relative to their knowledge just as someone who flips burgers is payed in relation to theirs.
And, that's the problem with our country. The “typical” family – must think it's ok to KEEP HAVING CHILDREN….even when the CAN'T AFFORD THEM!!! Well, I have an 11 month old daughter w/my husband, I am 29 years old. And, WAITED until I could afford a child. What saddens me – is that on my husband's salary (which we are blessed – it is quite a bit in this economy) but still…on his salary and mine – we STRUGGLE. Why?! BC we pay a CRAP-ton in student loans, but yet single mothers get their education paid for. And, we pay a TON to the government. WHY? BC people keep having children THEY CAN'T AFFORD. And, my DREAM of being a stay-at-home mom with my daughter (who has a VERY rare disease) will NEVER happen. BC I am paying-literally PAYING – for other people's decisions. It sickens me, but yet NO ONE EVER MENTIONS WELFARE REFORM – including MEDICAID, WIC, FOODSTAMPS, etc. Again…WHY?! BC unfortunately those who LIVE OFF the system – takes up the majority of the voting public. Lovely…it's a vicous cycle!!! And – I'm not AGAINST public assistance – I believe it is for those who need it!!! HOWEVER – I AM AGAINST people ABUSING the system and LIVING OFF the system.
'Me,' You should have paid more attention in school, and in life…You are, however, correct in saying that “racism is alive and well” it goes hand-in-hand with ignorance and YOU are part of the problem, not the solution.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] –noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
George, you mock generalizing and then you do it yourself. Yes, some doctors spend a lot of money (and sometimes even above their own means), but most are everyday people who have sacrificed so much for their careers. Imagine not having any earning potential until you're in your early 30's and starting out with 250-300k in debt.
Sure there are fields that earn quite a bit, but then consider some of the most important fields – primary care. Many PCPs have their own practices and therefore cover their own overhead costs including building, staff and insurance. Cutting physician reimbursement will force so many essential physicians to consider other fields.
As a physician let me tell you that you're wrong about the average doctor's salary being $150,000. That figure may be true for most pediatricians and internist, but most specialist (80% of the physician workfoce) make way more. This ER doc likely makes about $350,000.
As a physician it is NEVER our resonsibility to judge others, only to do our best to heal. When you start making assumptions about people we deviate from the standards of care needed to ensure equal treatment. Assumptions and judgments have NO PLACE in healthcare.
George, no offense, but your ignorance is part of the problem. For years now, doctor's salaries have been on the decline and continue to be. It's clear that your job is likely less impactful on society as a whole and feel that every professional should suffer whatever hardships you have. The student loans of a doctor alone are astronomical as community colleges don't tend to offer PhD programs. They endure calls at all hours, work all kinds of hours (even family doctors at times) and MOST doctors live substantially more modestly than you seem to think. I would know; I used to nanny for 2 doctors and they ended up being unable to afford my salary after student loans. In summary, George, perhaps look up a statistic or two before you post some vindictive, cry-baby solution to the health care crisis.
Ummmm When did it become “OK” for a doctor to break his doctor-patient confidentiality to vent his opinions? When it all boils down to it, yes this is a compelling argument against universal health care, but he should have never brought this patient's personal or medical business out for everyone to see. Also it should be noted that Medicare has been this way for years, it did not become corrupted all of a sudden because it has always been a non perfect system. The situation is as all others in America today, un-perfect. No system can catch everything and there will always be some that slip through the cracks. For example, tax evasion. How do so many “rich” politicians, actors, singers city council members, mayors, and corporate big wigs get away with that every year? Guess who is taking up their slack…….
The basis of this letter is spot on as there are those who do take advantage of Medicaid and the healthcare system in general. Most individuals do not though, and Dr. Jones has failed to acknowledge or recognize that. Surely his “case study” patient isn't the only person he has ever examined that had “Medicaid” listed as their insurance.
I'm 26, college educated with a nursing degree and the single mother of a toddler. I receive zero support from her father and as a result recently had to leave one job to start another. I was previously working the evening shift but childcare for the “off” hours is ridiculously high therefore I opted to take a significant pay cut in order to reduce those costs. The big hiccup? My medical benefits took effect after 30 days, my daughter's don't go into effect for another 4 1/2 months. I exhaustedly researched insurance plans for her but most were in the general area of $200+ monthly premium, 30% co-pay and $5,000-$10,000 out of pocket before the health insurance company stepped in. If I wanted to reduce the out of pocket cost I was looking at a solid $500+ a month. Those are numbers that I simply cannot afford at this stage of my life. My daughter and her well-being are my top priority and while I'm not one for “handouts” I filed a Medicaid application for her and jumped for joy when she was approved.
For me, this is a short-term fix. Others aren't afforded the luxury of knowing that at some point they won't require state assistance just to maintain their existence, health, food and dignity.
The issue with the United States is the lack of a national healthcare option. Almost every other country on this planet has implemented some form of universal healthcare except us. It's time. It's been time. Insurance companies have held a monopoly over our health for too long. The premiums, out of pocket costs and co-pays can easily make more than 50% of America see red. Health insurance or food? Health insurance or housing? Health insurance for me or for my children? Why have we even had to ask these questions time and time again?
For the past two years, the U.S. fertility rate has not just been stagnate, but declining. This means that unless we increase our current immigration rate, or increase the number of women having children, there will not be enough U.S. citizens in the needed age group to sustain a viable economy or workforce. We need people willing to risk their individual freedoms (to have extra money lying around, to get enough sleep, to have peace and quiet, etc.) that the childless take advantage of (and work hard for). We need to show more appreciation for the dangers of creating a family and their benefit to society.
this letter only goes to show one thing: that people will believe or denounce anything they see as supporting or opposing their worldview. when i first saw the letter, i was thrilled because it fits with my view of things: namely, that too many “poor” people abuse government systems out of laziness or a sense of entitlement.
but then a funny thing happened. while i could verify that a person named dr. roger starner jones does exist and practices medicine in jackson, i couldn't verify that he was the person who actually wrote this letter. a facebook friend of mine called the hospital, who told him that no, dr. jones did NOT write this letter (which apparently was published in the clarion-ledger's print edition but not online). typing in his name only brought up references to this story, along with his listing in several medical directories, but no first-party evidence at all.
so in short, it looks now as though we've been snookered by someone posing as dr. jones. first, it would be insanely foolish for a practising doctor to post something like this under his or her real name. second, it's not been verified CONCLUSIVELY that he wrote it (as opposed to someone using his name illicitly). third, it's too perfect — the writing style reeks of being crafted to suit political ideology.
i call BS until dr. jones comes forward and verifies.
I dont disagree with you on any one particular point. As an EMT for for twenty years in ambulances and ER's working side by side with good Dr's, RN's and the like. I would simply add this, in no way making small of Dr. Starner's comments. Just edifying those of us including the good Dr. that have to soldier on, regardless of the culture or politics were faced with.
Douglas R. EMT-B
Dallas Tx.
In honor of Dr. Louis Portera.
DO THE RIGHT THING.
Maybe you worked with him for years, maybe you worked with him just one time. But his legacy will live on. If you did work with for years you would know that he was passionate about emergency medicine, his family and friends. He believed in helping others and “Doing the right thing”. In fact, he was known for writing the letters”DTRT” on the bottom of his charts when he wanted to remind the oncoming staff that we should take another look at this person and “Do The Right Thing” for them. He never forgot that each and every one we take care of is someones mother, father, daughter, son, or friend. In our line of work its easy to become callus and get to busy. We should remember that we came into this profession because we care, we want the best for our patients and we must DO THE RIGHT THING.
This memo was written as a reminder to the staff of the Emergency Department at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Portera passed away just over a year ago and he is missed. This hits me right where I live every time I read it.
I can only cast one vote, so theres for the politics. I have only one opinion, right or wrong. I am only one man.
But my mind is keen. My hands are ready. My back is strong and my skin is thick. I will take care of the one person in front of me to the best of my ability and let all else fall aside. The politics will resolve, or they wont. The issues will come and go. But I and others like me will always be here, THATS what I'm good for.
I will take very good care of you, So help me God.
I wish there were more people like you in this country and less like the idiots above.
NO George it is NOT okay for you to generalize about all doctors. I think YOU may have missed the Don't Be A Dumbass 101 class. The woman Dr. Jones is speaking of is ABUSING the system. She doesn't take care for herself, she is selfish, she is low. Most doctors dedicate their LIVES to helping OTHERS. They work 'round the clock for people like you and me. Are we seeing a difference on the Decent Person Scale yet??
NO ONE SAID DESTROY MEDICAID PEOPLE!! HE IS SIMPLY SAYING WE NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM! I.E. THE CRISIS OF CULTURE
When someone is whining about not being able to pay for healthcare when they CLEARLY need to prioritize their life IS THAT MY PROBLEM? Shouldn't be! It's not yours either!
about time someone asks this question.
George, you are an IDIOT. Did you even finish high school? It sounds like you are a bit jealous you didn't put in the hard work and ambition to have a job that can afford you a nice house, cars and the country club. Take a reality check, a LOT of our physicians today ARE struggling to keep thier practices open because they can't afford to. It's not all glitz and glam. How dare you suggest they take a 50% pay cutt when thier salaries are already cutt by our lovely government. Good luck when you of a family member comes down with an illness that may be life threatening….lets see how you get on when there's no doctor to turn to.
I agreed with your previous coment, but not necessarily this one. But I do understand your point.
Maybe she doesnt believe in aborting a human life. She may not be able to afford to have the baby, but maybe her faith is the reason she is keeping the baby. That doesnt make it about money or status and that's stepping into a different category.
I look at her comment as someone who may actually need the help. Probably because I partly understand where she is coming from. I lost my job, but my husband still had his. But with just one income, we were struggling. Because he made just a few bucks over the Poverty Level, neither me or my son didnt qualify for Medicaid or Food Stamps, irrigardless of the fact that I have a serious medical condition and my child is under the age of 5. But yet, I see people who cant even speak english and so called poor people with designer clothes getting Food stamps, Medicaid, and other benefits. And I am like, W.T.F? I don't understand. Those were MY freakin tax dollars covering their a$$es when I WAS working, and now that I am not, I cant get crap. That was some bull. But now, I do have job. I make $20,000 less than what I made before and yes we are still struglling! Oh, and no, I did NOT get pregnant while I was unemployed. But, even if I did, I would have kept my baby!
Although there are some women who lay on their stank a$$es all day with their legs open and pop out babies like it's nothing, that should NOT be the cause for people who just happen to get pregnant during an economic crisis to suffer. Sometimes, life is just not fair! I could say that there should be more strenuous laws and regualtions on who can get these benefits and who should not, but I think it would only make it harder for us Tax Paying citizens who DESERVE the help!
I am not a doctor, but I agree. You work hard for what you want!
I by NO MEANS believe in abortion, that's NOT what I meant. I meant USE PROTECTION!!! PREVENT ANOTHER PREGNANCY – that's what I meant by my comment of WHY have ANOTHER child?! She already has 3!!!
Well I am certainly glad to know you are not my doctor. I recently worked my way back off of medicaid. I didn't want to be on it, I had to. While I don't disagree there are those who take advantage of many government programs, I do not appreciate your assuming. Obviously you missed the part in med school related to tactfulness. I sure hope you dont become disabled one day and fall off of that very high horse your riding right now. I do know this God gives and he can take it away. Need I say more?
58,106,000 Medicaid recipients in 2007.
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?cat=4&ind=198
There are obviously people gaming the system. However, that in no way invalidates the program or implies that a majority are doing this.How many of those do you think don’t have health coverage because they’re blowing their money on …cigs and booze and tats, and how many do you think are normal people who don’t have enough money?
I agree that we as a society “expect” to be taken care of. But why shouldn't we, health wise? Does anyone fault Canadians when they “expect” it? Or the English? It can be done- there are systems that work FAR better than ours! Yet, we still have this one. Hmm, that wouldn't be because of greed, would it?!
Taking charge of your own health, and being responsible for it is NOT the issue that this “doctor” has raised. He didn't say, “I advised her to quit smoking and eating junk food, and she refused.”
There will always be abusers of the system- that's just a fact of life. But the general population needs health care. Doctors and insurance companies are filthy rich off of the SUFFERING AND DEATH of others.
I have personally cleaned the homes of some of the doctors in MY area, and I can tell you that they live like kings- owning several houses, each one the size of apartment complexes! I'm not suggesting that they shouldn't be compensated for what they do, but the lure of money seems to be the reason so many doctors are in medicine- not to help people. They go to college to become doctors to build themselves up- not others. Of course there are exceptions, but they are few and far between.
If the costs of health care (out of pocket) were in any way, shape or form reasonable, I believe the argument would be better founded. However, when I can get charged $20 for a box of tissues– well, enough said. I know people who have had to sell their homes and everything they owned, and still went bankrupt–because they got cancer. They were going to DIE (and many DO die!) without seeing the doctor, and they had to go bankrupt to do it.
Why is there a price on human life?
Starting with this question–I strongly believe care should be a right!
How does this doctor know how this woman pays for her vices? The woman could have had more money in her past, and now is in hard times (like everyone in this country!). So perhaps she got the tattoos and the tooth when there were still factories in this country and she had a job. Perhaps the woman had a rich significant other that paid for those things, but then they broke up. Perhaps the woman moved back in with her parents after they broke up, and the parents are the ones paying for her beer, pretzels, cell phone, etc? The insurance company's rules undoubtedly prevent her from being on her parent's policy.
So, she shouldn't have access to health care because of that?
This “statement” by Starner is a judgmental, narrow-minded assumption, and nothing more.
There is way too much assuming going on here, if you ask me. We never know what someone else's circumstances are, unless we walk a mile in their shoes.
I, for one, do not want my health care needs to be determined by how much money I have, or have had in the past.
And to top it all off, I am DEEPLY offended by the fact that how a person PAYS is on their medical chart to begin with!!! THAT SHOULD NEVER EVER BE THERE!
years and years of blahblabblahdeffingblah. Have you BEEN to the doctor lately? My doctor couldn't care Less about my health. You know why? Everything is run by the pharm companies. I went in for heart palpitations. She said I needed and anti anxiety med. I'm not anxious, I said. You are, she said, you just don't know.
Many docs later (yes, many who All shared that same attitude and perhaps the same Brain) I find it is dehydration. IMAGINE! If I hadn't had insurance at the time, I'd have just taken the medicine because I'd not have been able to Go to another doctor. So here I'd be, unnecessarily taking–and paying for–medication.
You all are Worse than people using/abusing the system because you're all sitting on your asses complaining, but not doing anything to change it–OR to understand it. Hypocritical jerks.
years and years of blahblabblahdeffingblah. Have you BEEN to the doctor lately? My doctor couldn't care Less about my health. You know why? Everything is run by the pharm companies. I went in for heart palpitations. She said I needed and anti anxiety med. I'm not anxious, I said. You are, she said, you just don't know.
Many docs later (yes, many who All shared that same attitude and perhaps the same Brain) I find it is dehydration. IMAGINE! If I hadn't had insurance at the time, I'd have just taken the medicine because I'd not have been able to Go to another doctor. So here I'd be, unnecessarily taking–and paying for–medication.
You all are Worse than people using/abusing the system because you're all sitting on your asses complaining, but not doing anything to change it–OR to understand it. Hypocritical jerks.
….find a new doctor.
I honestly think we need to stop trying to point the finger at who is to blame and maybe work on a better society. It doesn't mention how the medical system charges way more than necessary to make sure that this young doctor can pay his luxery golf fees. I think that some of us need to be willing to give a lot more and some of us need to sacrafice some.
I think that is a very unnecessary remark. Just because you attack the person who said it, doesn't make what they were saying false.
wow! Then why would you think he is talking about you?
Finding a way for you to make money and using birth control could be a viable option too. Jeez, I'm a single mother out of a job, maybe I should check into those options. I've never had to consider getting the taxpayers to pay for me because I've always been in too high a category. Howabout…where is my payback? I'm positive my tax dollars and charity have paid for many others.
Where's help for me when I need it?
I'll tell you. Nowhere. Why? Because I and many others are the ones that never turn over and play dead. Failure is not a choice for me. We are the ones that carry the rest of society on our back because we don't stop trying.
If everyone thought that way, we wouldn't be in the dilemma that Dr. Starner Jones so elloquently describes. Our society has continued to deflect responsibility and too often, it's the ones who deserve help that get screwed in the long run.
Everyone must take responsility and carry their own load. If you choose to have 4 children, then you damn well better “buck up” and make the money to support them. No one told you to have 4 kids. No one told you to not work. No one is keeping your husband from advancing, except himself. You missed the point to the doctors letter.
Just take responsibility for your own and your world will change!
I would rather pay for the occasional abuser of health care and know that no one would be denied care, that people would not be forced into emergency rooms for their only access to care. And speaking of 'crisis of culture', why do we need to know the ringtone? What/who are people really afraid of here?
Theories that people are poor because they are lazy, dirty, and addicted– in a 'crisis of culture', lost credibility decades ago. Wake up.
It is certain that some individuals will abuse the system, just as it is certain that all systems will have their abusers. Medicare is a good example. There are doctors who over-bill the medicare system. This is basically stealing from everyone who has paid into the Medicare system. Should we then say that Dr. Jones is a thief and a criminal because other doctors are?
No, I don't think we should. Just as we should not brand anyone who cannot afford medical care as someone who a comes from a “culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance.”
As a physician it is your duty and responsibility to make accurate observations and assess the necessary next step. Dr. Jones made astute observations and it is simply a sign of valid reasoning that anyone with a decent IQ would deduce about that patient. That patient wants others to think they are 'better' then they really are rather then using whatever mental reasoning they were given genetically to make decent choices.
So yes, I certainly hope that my doctors use deductive and evidential reasoning to come to a decision about my medical care.
….I mean, come on, a woman who chooses a gold tooth? I'm not there, however it's a normal human function to make assumptive reasoning about her status. Ever read the book “Blink”. Great book!
True! However, it is representative of a large majority of Emergency Room patients. ….and guess who is paying for the emergency costs that aren't covered?
It is obvious that those who complain on this post have no idea about how it is for doctors anymore. It is rarely all glory, except for certain specialists and surgeons and even they work their “you know what off” for years. Being a doctor these days is commitment and those that have put this doctor obviously have no idea of what it is to be truly committed in their career. In fact, I would venture to guess those who put this doctor down, often blame others for their own shortcomings.
Although it's true we all aren't born with the brains or beauty or good background to succeed as “easily” as it may seem for some,
we all are capable of being the best we can be with what we are handed.
Let's concentrate on doing that. That is what the doctor is saying.
Dr. Jones, how in the world did you complete a thorough examination on this “shiny toothed, tattooed physique, fancy footed individual” when findings have estimated that on average, the public can expect to spend no more than 10 to 16 minutes with their doctor, depending on the negotiations that the physician has made with that patient's insurance company.
What do you mean by Culture Crisis?
Could you be saying… Ethnicity, Background, Upbringing, Social Class?
Obviously Dr. Bigot, you aren’t referring to a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant patient…
Do we concur?
You mentioned that when glancing over YOUR patient’s chart you “happen to notice” that she was a Medicaid pay. Hopefully you left yourself enough time to determine her health data; allergies to certain medicines, recent illnesses, current diagnosis, etc.
FYI you foolish physician, Medicaid serves are vast variety of folks; low-income, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Different types of coverage for people with different needs. So enlighten me, what made your “medical eye” go straight to the form of payment line. You were the attending physician, were you not? Shouldn’t the payment portion be handled by your hospital’s Patient’s Account Department. Possibly your health center has a policy, Better care for deeper Wallets.
1. She is a smoker – According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, an estimated 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women are smokers. It’s not like you discover the last living lover of cigarettes.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones’ body, sometimes it just comes down to affordability.
3. She eats pretzels and drinks beer – Clearly downing the pretzels with champagne and caviar would have caused a culture shock heard around the world.
Your lack of compassion doesn’t surprise me in the least, it saddens me. When you became a doctor, did you not listen to the words in your medical oath?
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability
and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability
and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan;
and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion. But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Possibly, I’m looking at an outdated copy of the healing vows, because I couldn't find the passage that allows a doctor the right to have a preconceived notion of the person he/she is about to help.
Dr. Jones, you’ve had your 15 minutes of shame. As a parting gift, why don’t you go and buy yourself that fancy cell phone you were so enthralled with. I’m sure your patient was so impressed with your non medical analysis of her, she would be more than happy to give you the particulars. Her contact information is the line just above her PAYMENT STATUS.
Julieann Ruggiero-Swanson
Waterford, CT
I'd say your problem is that large “chip” on your shoulder.
Try adding being a woman to a race card and you have the ultimate bottom of the pyramid rule. Why can't we stop reducing everything to crap and just live up to our own individual potential and see the big picture.
Why would you want the doctor who someday could be saving your life or the life of a loved one take a pay cut and all those entertainers and athletes get such unreasonable salaries for the work they do? I personally would rather invest in the doctors than the entertainment.
How is he breaking confidentiality when no names were stated???
Have you ever stopped to think that her husband had been killed FIGHTING IN FKING IRAQ YOU PREJUDICED ASS ! ! ! ! !
Is it really considered “assuming” if the woman willing tells him.. I smoke I drink I only eat fast food?? Im sorry but people shouldnt have to be told that those things are bad for their health.. A pack of cigarettes are almost SEVEN dollars a pack… If she smokes at least a pack a day like what was stated.. that ends up being around $210 a month.. $2500 a YEAR… when you can find insurance companies that are even less then that for them to insure the individual if they would learn to pick better lifestyle chioces. Its all comes down to “wants and needs”.
Um, I only listen to R&B and I am german/indian mixed… so….not true
Close your eyes , and ALL the truly poor and desperate people will go away. I am willing to bet that this prejudiced Dr. attends a church , making him a hypocrite !!!
Seriously why the hell would you think he was talking about a black person? Cuz they have a gold tooth? Many hispanics or elderly have gold teeth, just as an example. And is it because of the R&B, because I am german and I listen to NOTHING BUT R&B. So its you.. who is being racist…
I have not said anything prejudice whatsoever. And, why would you call me an ass? She never said her husband died fighting in Iraq. Where'd that come from?! My point was – we make our own choices in life – she is choosing to expand her family! Her life is already difficult financially – why add more children to the mix?! That has nothing to do with being prejudice. I had and still have family serving in Iraq…the war on terror has nothing to do with healthcare! I can't listen to someone complain about not getting public assistance when she continues to ADD members to her family. I'm sorry…I'm not being MEAN like you. Or, disrespectful. It is what it is…but, I never ONCE called anyone names. I have been extremely respectful in my opinions.
2. She eats fast-food – Not everyone is fortunate to have been born with the obligatory silver spoon in their mouths. While such foods play havoc with ones body, sometimes it comes down to affordability.
I am only replying to the above that you posted…. but affordability is hilarious.. maybe you havent been to wendys or mcdonalds recently.. its close to $7 for a meal… this morning i had a bowl of oats with a banana, for lunch a salad with cucumber and salad, and for dinner i will have chicken with brown rice.. and that only cost me $9 to feed me for the whole day… I wouldnt consider that a “silver spoon” in my mouth.
Is this man still in practice? If so I will make it a point to have him out of practice within the next 30 days.
Signed,
Disgusted by tacky people who make other wealthy white Americans look STUPID and JUDGEMENTAL
What does your comment have to do with what the doctor said. He is referring to those people on government aid who are abusing it. They abuse it by purposely deciding to not work and take no steps to keep themselves healthy, thus creating a large burden on our government. In other words they purposely take our tax dollars without regard to the hard working Americans, that inculdes your hard working husband).
Too bad this jerk off did not tell his patient, good job do you really want healthier people not visiting you Dr. Advertisement.
That is like a politician saying they want less Government.
Now I guess the smaller Government should regulate food and diet????
What planet are you from we want less regulation except when is not convenient to me, please re read the US Constitution and you Hippocratic oath
I don't believe the good doctor was speaking of your situation. he was speaking of people who take advantage of the system. I have a friend of mine that has two children and for a while her and her husband were surviving on food stamps and wic. The only luxury they could afford was to attend a state school to hopefully try and find a way out of their situation. You and more people like my friend are clearly why these programs are put in place. I fully agree with what doctor Jones has said. There should be no reason why we through the govt. are helping to fund someone's costly tattoos, cigarettes and beer drinking.
For your sake, I hope you are never left with no job, no insurance, and no home. If so, maybe you will understand. Who are you to pass such remarks?
This doc assumed this patient was abusing the system.
This doctor and most of you make me sick
I agree with you Mrs. Momof4! As a mother of 3 with a very hard working husband, we can barely afford health insurance, as a matter of fact we pay more for crappy insurance than we do our home…. When my husband got laid off, we were denied every bit of help we applied for, and honestly have NEVER just lived off the government! It was humiliating applying and even worse being told NO. We are just the average family and I felt lost knowing that when we needed help it was not there for us, due to income tax returns from the previous year. (which my husband worked all year long and was NOT laid off) We scraped by for 3 months. However, I do understand these people this doctor is referring to and feel that if it wasn't for them mootching, then when others needed the help (actually needed) it would of been provided. As i stood in the welfare line i seen people with nice tattoos, driving beautiful cars,dressed nicely, and receiving every benefit one person could get! It wasn't fair. But this doctor is right! Mother of 4 he was not talking about people like you or me who needed help, he is talking of people who take advantage of these programs and will until they die! It is these people who have lack of pride, no morals, and are virtually useless to our economy!
That is just pure mean. This is why our country is such a mess. Hateful. Hateful and Hateful.
people always take advantage of any situation when it is FREE.
You are so right Tonya. Hateful people. Hope they never have to do without.
So, tell me, are poor people not allowed to have nice things? Perhaps someone gave this person the brand name items or maybe they were bought at a thrift store. Sounds like most posting here have nver had to do without. For sure, this doctor has never wanted for anything as for many generations this family has many doctors.
If they are homeless and looking for work, how are they to get phone calls?
Many people donate phones for this reason.
Sure abuse does take place. FYI welfare fraud is more prevalent among Whites than Blacks.
I hope the hospital fires this doc. But, it is Mississippi.
Dink, I AGREE with you and this is why..
Last year I was working at the airport doing security, good job. I got pregnant with my 2nd child and had to leave work because I was high risk. My husband only makes 35k a year.. we really needed my income to survive. It was so tough, nights of crying hoping we could pay our bills, we had prioritize to the basics. All the sudden we couldnt make ends meet, and had to rely on my family to buy us food. Fast forward to present day; our infant is 3 months old, I can't work. My husband is the one working, we had to downsize to a smaller place, and just 1 car. Im not getting my nails done anymore, and no mroe clothes shopping. Strictly food and bills. We have private insurance, we pay $350 a month. I couldnt even afford the birth control I have now and begged my doctors office to allow me to make payments. The birth control was only $118 out of pocket. I did this because.. I KNOW WE CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CHILD!!! When my doc gave me the ok to start relations again with my hubby, we didnt do anything until I was on some kind of birth control. Thats called RESPONSIBILITY. More people need to do that and stop relying on the government.
Tonya you are typical liberal who reacts on pure emotion. The rest of us are working our asses off, hopefully you are as well, & we're paying for these parasites! That's so hateful? Wake up.
The Don: With all do respect, you truly are an idiot. First, I suggest you look up the meaning of confidentiality, because no doctor-patient confidentiality was broken by the doctor venting his opinions (e.g. did you read the patients name? Birthday? Address? Any other identifiable characteristics that would enable someone to know who the doctor was referring to? Did the doctor even write what the patient was being seen for or diagnosed with?) I am sure (unfortunate but true) that there are many, MANY people in our society or even in the state that the doctor is in that have gold teeth, fancy clothes, fancy cars, on medicare, etc.; therefore, the patients personal or medical business was not out for anyone to see.
Secondly, our health care has always been corrupt- and our president is proposing to make it even more corrupt- I think this is the doctor's point (not a hidden one, doesn't even require you to read in between the lines, he spells it out quite eloquently and direct).
Third, This is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME for a doctor to bring this up considering the changes Obama is proposing (like the many promises that will hardly be reached or kept), so regardless if Medicare has always been like this, it is even more serious of a problem due to our economy and the unequal distribution of government assistance due to people that are EXACTLY like the person the doctor is describing.
Lastly, I AM SO SICK of people like yourself (and many others who have responded to this letter) who BITCH about people who are “rich”, or “wealthy” because they are doctors or politicians. I would LOVE to know what you do for a living and how much schooling, training, and residency you had to go through to get to where you are. It is so easy for people in our country to bitch about the unequal distributions of wealth and it is OUR fault (the one's, like myself, who spend 11 + years in school and make sacrifices of having families, children, personal lives, etc. until later) that you are all poor and struggling. Get off your ass and make something of your life and quit complaining and blaming the rest of us who are not in the same boat. Quit harping on the ones who actually aspire to reach self-actualization and self-fulfillment by challenging themselves, making sacrifices and then being rewarded with heavy salaries THAT WE RIGHTFULLY deserve.
Oh, and by the way, when you actually need a doctor, I doubt you will then share these opinions with them face to face, when you are at the mercy of their assistance. Will you?
Did the doctor say that medicaid should not be offered? Did you assume that all people take advantage of the system? Or did he simply use one DETAILED example of how one lady who told him “I smoke a pack a day and only eat fast food” while wearing fancy clothes and gold teeth is abusing the system?
I find it hilarious how defensive people get when they think they are lumped in this category when the actually need and use the assistance. You are the ones who should be mad the MOST. You are the ones who need it, and if people keep abusing it, there won't be any left for those who need help. Don't you get it? He isn't talking about you, he is in actuality trying to defend people who need help.
Wow, I am shocked at the ignorance of some of the comments, including yours.
Lastly, you sound like a religious woman, don't you think it is wrong to wish for someone to be disabled? Not very “holy” of you.
If you re-read his letter you will notice that the person he is clearly speaking if is abusing a system to help out people who are truely in need. Not a person who is being responsible.
Most families have to have 2 incomes, it has been like that for many many years before this most recent recession, and yes there has been about 13 since the great depresson. Just not this drastic. Your situation seems to be rough, however those were your choices and you must live with them and own up to them instead of blaming others for what you are having to deal with.
There definitely IS a shortage of doctors, hospitals, and nurses, but that's not the main problem. The main problem is that regardless of this one, unverifiable, narcissistic story, people like this are outliers, not the main group of people getting their health care paid for. Most of them are hard-working people who c…annot afford health care themselves.
The implication here is that everyone who does not have health insurance could afford to purchase it if they weren't blowing it all on drugs and tattoos. That's outrageous and obviously false.
This woman, if she exists, perhaps does not deserve all of the help she is given without giving something back and trying to help herself, but to imply that the only thing we need to do to fix our country's crises is just tell everyone to pay up is preposterous.
I posit that this Starner Jones is more what is wrong with America than the patient who he derided so terribly in this letter. Shame on him.
He signs off with this quote
…”Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.”
What a jerk. I mean, really? Life isn't hard? What universe is he living in? Maybe it's not hard if you're white, live in America, and grew up with food and shelter.
About 20 years ago if you were on welfare and if a caseworker saw these items in your home that family would no longer have goverment handouts. This is no longer the case. This “doc” is one of the many people who pay for this he has every right to voice his concerns. Why does he need to be fired for it? Or is freedom of speech only reserved for liberal voters.
Agreed. This is payment for having no life for about 10 years and having the determination to stick with it and actually complete it. Not to mention the risk involved when prescribing and adminstering drugs to another human being. It takes some people years to get over giving another person potentially lethal drugs. Not many people can hadnle high pressure jobs.
There definitely IS a shortage of doctors, hospitals, and nurses, but that's not the main problem. The main problem is that regardless of this one, unverifiable, narcissistic story, people like this are outliers, not the main group of people getting their health care paid for. Most of them are hard-working people who c…annot afford health care themselves.
The implication here is that everyone who does not have health insurance could afford to purchase it if they weren't blowing it all on drugs and tattoos. That's outrageous and obviously false.
This woman, if she exists, perhaps does not deserve all of the help she is given without giving something back and trying to help herself, but to imply that the only thing we need to do to fix our country's crises is just tell everyone to pay up is preposterous.
I posit that this Starner Jones is more what is wrong with America than the patient who he derided so terribly in this letter. Shame on him.
He signs off with this quote
…”Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.”
What a jerk. I mean, really? Life isn't hard? What universe is he living in? Maybe it's not hard if you're white, live in America, and grew up with food and shelter.
This is very naive. There surely are major abuses but why is this different than the medicare recipient who is obese, smokes, drinks, etc… They aren't paying for their higher costs. What does this have to do with the cost of a hospital stay or a surgery. At my hospital, a 5 min. procedure, placing ear tubes, costs 2500 min. for the OR sweet. No IV, no disposable equipment other than a suction tube. Anesthesia and surgeons costs are not included. A 15 min tonsillectomy costs 5000.00 in my area at a hospital. Lets say that 20% are uninsured, and these are all younger than 65% so represent less than 20% of healthcare costs, if it was 4000.00 instead of 5000.00 for the tonsillectomy would that be reasonable?
How about the cost of health care for insured people who don't take care of themselves? Those costs get spread out so is the 400 lb. insured diabetic not a bigger drag on the health care dollar then an uninsured 160 lb. 28 year old, who like 1/3 of his peers, doesn't have insurance? Lastly, how do you explain that I cannot get insurance outside of a group plan? I am in my early 40's, weight within 10lbs of ideal weight, exercise for 10 hours a week or more, and eat healthy. I am also a Factor V Leiden carrier and had a clot 8 years ago. No one will insure me on an individual policy. Lastly, the US spends 17% of GDB on healthcare. I started medicine in the later 80s and it was 12% or 13% then. No matter how you look at it, spending 17% and the predicted 20% in the next decade if we don't do anything is a too much when we compare to our peers. My young Dr. friend, we do have a health care crisis.
If I use his reasoning, I guess I should ask for my taxes back for all the people in this country who have children and pay a lower tax rate than me. While I am at it, I should ask for all my money used to pay for educating those kids. Oh, and while I am at it, I should ask New York State for all my tax money when I lived there that was sent back to the state that was too poor to pay for anything so they had to soak us rich New Yorkers. Anywhere else I can go to get MY MONEY BACK?
You are disgusting!
You can assume so freely that the Dr has never had to want for anything since he comes from generations of doctors.
I can assume just as freely that this patient was using tax funded welfare to pay for designer sneakers and a gold tooth.
And yes, people do “donate” cell phones, through a government program giving people who qualify for government assistance a cell phone for free. Though I can't write that donation off on my taxes that I pay as someone who works.
I don't know where to begin……hummmmm ……
It is apparent that this “struggling doctor” has soooo many worries, that he feels that helping others is too much of a burden to him. WAIT….isn't that what doctors do?????
This doesn't include the fact that he truly doesn't get how some people in this country actually have priviledge and others do not. Certain people got a 400 year head start in education, land ownership, voting, freedom, etc and some did not.
Not including, cultural sensitivity obviously is not this dr's concerns, he is more concerned about what he is going to lose, versus any positives of what we as a nation might gain. Unfortunately, what he doesn't get is that he has already lost his humanity.
and is culturally you didn't understand what I was trying to say, try this one on for size…..this dr is a dumb ass!!!
Are you still an EMS provider? I sure hope not. Again, maybe someone nicer than you gave her those things. Again, are poor people not allowed to have nice things. He should be fired because he made assumptions and passed judgment on his patient.
Hey Fish, I hear ya. You rock
How do you or the good doc prove this patient he is speaking of is abusing the system?????????
Honey, just wait until you find out how much nurses make and who really does the work. Wait until you learn how many times the nurses save the doc's butts.
Ohhhhh DINK, look at what you wrote.
ok…but you have 3 children and a 4th on the way…WHY??? do you run a farm? and do you work? you could help yourself out there sista…… cause siting at home with a 4th child on the way is not something WE should have to pay for? take some responsibility please
If you were really struggling this much, wouldn't you have thought twice before having a FOURTH child?! Look around! Do you see many families with 4 CHILDREN? ummm I don't. The average family size these days is about 2, and no it's not because people got tired of having too many siblings or a big family.. that is the good side of it.. IT IS BECAUSE THE COST OF LIVING HAS RISEN.. and they know well enough how much a child costs and what are the impacts of adding one more mouth to feed to a family.. So no, maybe you are not part of this culture that buys fancy cars and designer clothes, and lives off of medicare and foodstamps, but you definitely are the part of the one that has forgotten about consequences.. Another main flaw of today's society..
Have a little responsibility and think of your existing children before you add another one to the world that might end up living through the same struggles as you are..
I'm surprised ….your a nurse…and so am I … I work in private practice specialty office…….I would be out of a job if all we took were public aide….it's not “insurance” it doesn't pay squat… and the doctor wasn't assuming…he was just making an observation….Isnt it protocol to have higher premiums with an insurace company if you smoke ,eat high fat foods….pre-existing conditions…yet “public aiders” aren't asked to stop this behavior are they…well are they? are they denied or asked to pay a copay because they do….shame on you “nurse” you know better….
Could you include a few more stereotypes? I'm not sure we're getting your drift – nudge nudge wink wink.
After reading this letter, I'm certain the healthcare industry is in crisis because if this guy made it through medical school, we're all screwed! He works for the charity hospital in Jackson, Mississippi and he's worried because he's treating a patient with Medicaid? He should be glad she was covered by anything at all! Methinks he picked the wrong career.
I am curious though exactly how he ascertained the gold tooth in her mouth was brand new.
For shame!!! this man went to school….and lives well no doubt…… BUT HE HAS EARNED IT!!!! he works and SAVES LIVES!!! you want the owner of quickie mart workin the E/R? we could pay him cheaper….. so he HAS to protect what he has earned….. cause SOMEONE wants to give his earnings away….why? if you have something nice….wont that be because you earned it? someone gave her the brand names…I'M SURE..lol fire the doc eh? well call up the quickie mart for his replacement…lol you are one funny nurse….
You aren't working hard enough if you have time to think about politics and react with hurtful (some might say emotional) snipey remarks to total strangers. Pull up your bootstraps and get a second job, idle hands are the devil's workshop you know.. whapeeesh!
Do you work? and if so do you work for free?
who said anything about being black? and explaining someones attire? what made YOU think they were? who's prejudice now?
According to statistics most Americas are overweight. So I would assume that a lot of people who agree with this so called Doctor are overweight or obese. If you are overweight and obese, do you even have a right to comment on others bad choices? If we really wanted to make changes in America, I think all overweight people shouldn't be able to get insured until they start eating health and exercising. Meet BMI regulations and live a healthy lifestyle. Oh, wait conservatives would go batsh** crazy if those rules were enforced. If we want an America that rewards good choices, than let’s really reward good choices. Just because people pay for their insurance doesn't make them more healthy or responsible. Fat people are draining the system period. The insured and uninsured. Stop patting yourself on your back neo-cons, conservatives, and libertarians. Looking at the republican party most of are overweight, obese, and old. I guess by this young doctors theory poor fat people are disgusting, insured fat people can do anything you want. Do you people really not see the irony? Dear fat conservatives you're an unhealthy bunch that has sky rocketed my health insurance and rather feed & insure the poor than bow to a condescending wanna-be Rush Limbaughs.
First, I personally know Starner and he is an excellent physician who genuinely cares about his patients. He never suggested the patient was “worthless”, he just disagrees with her obviously bad priorities facilitated by our quickly-approaching welfare state.
Having worked in medical administration, I can recall a story from a doctor who worked in a non-profit clinic. As the medical office was about to close, a call came in from a mother pleading to have her daughter seen for a “growth issue.” The doctor decided to keep the clinic open after hours to accommodate the woman and her young daughter, both of whom were on Medicaid.
As the girl's vitals were being checked, the triage nurse learned that this “growth issue” was that the mother wanted to have the girl's height measured because the next day they were going to Six Flags and needed to know how tall she was to see if she was tall enough to ride the rides.
Extreme (but true) example, but I and my medical-professional friends have seen situations like this over and over. There is indeed a culture of entitlement and dependence.
Ok, point taken, HOWEVER, I think the underlying problem is the insurance companies. Medicaid pays 10% of what a hospital/doctor bills. Unicare, BCBS, United Health care, they pay maybe 20-40%. SO, the doctors/hospitals KNOW this and INFLATE the prices to cover overhead for their practice/hosptial (which about 15-25 % of that overhead goes for INSURANCE BILLING). DUH, get the health insurance companies in check.
what jobs? Did you not just all say there are no jobs? So now there wont be enough people to fill the jobs? What is it?
OMG you are kidding right? I bet youi make more than I do..I am self employed, pay my own health insurance, pay my own social securtiy RELY ON ONLY MYSELF. I get no sick days, no days off with pay, no holidays…zero. I am thrilled to still be working and employing 4 people in this economy.
So…George, buddy…could you give up half your income…because I make less than you do….THANKS
You are a prejudice man, you should be ashamed of yourself. As a Dr. you shouldn't judge anyone by what they wear or what they look like. If a patient is dying are you gonna not give the care that they need because YOU! think they are abusing the system. Maybe they lost a job and didn't have achoice but to get medicaid. You don't need to be practicing medicine. I wouldn't want you to care for me. Because I'm a cancer patient and I lost my job and I live in a nice home drive a nice car and wear name brand clothes and I'm on the medical card because I don't have a choice. I've been out of work for over a year but my income is child support and I have a fiance' that helps take care of my needs. So if I get sick and have to go to the ER should I wear raggedy jeans and a t-shirt with holes in it to get good care. Think about it, your wrong and everything you stand for is a JOKE! You need to be reported to someone. God help you, your of the DEVIL!!!!! Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This may sound blunt, I apologize in advance.
1. Stop having more kids.
No I did not say have an abortion but YOU should plan accordingly. I would LOVE more than anything to have a child, but guess what, I know I cannot afford it at this point in my life.
2. The system is not fair.
If people like the one the doctor didn't abuse the system, you would have more coverage for the rest of your family, if you truly are an honest family that PLANS for YOUR expenses. There should be HELP available for those in NEED, but not a system they can DEPEND on for years. If you support and have sympathy for that woman, I don't feel bad for you either, because she is the problem that is causing you to not get the help your family may need.
3. Universal Health Care is not the answer.
I work at a hotel in a town about 4 hours from a major Canadian city. I check in more guests that I can count from Canada that are paying to stay at my hotel, paid and took the time (off work most of the time) to go to the doctor and hospitals in my town. Health care they would receive FREE in Canada, but choose to come to the US for better and quicker coverage. Please explain that to me.
Well of course. Liberals preach tolerance, but are the most intolerant of other ideas.
unfortunately, such things are all too common these days. for years i have said that the problem could be solved with more education. these days i have to admit that education is not the answer. stupidity has outpaced ignorance by leaps and bounds. although i am a strong advocate of civil liberties and passion for my brothers and sisters in need, reality has hit home. it is time to stop providing support to unwed mothers who cannot provide the name of a father who might be held financially responsible. when did we quit calling such women sluts? why do we not require receipts of purchases of welfare money? why aren't those that impregnate 14 and 15 year olds arrested and charged with statutory rape? why aren't car salesmen who lease luxury automobiles to those who are obvious deadbeats allowed to roam free? how can someone who doesn't work buy 4-figure wheel rims, have 2 diamond earrings, a plethora of bling, etc.? it used to be that it was the teenagers that were stupid, but the teenagers never had the chance (or took the opportunity) to evolve from stupid. now we have stupid grandparents of stupid parents of stupid children who are reproducing and creating even more stupidos. What is the answer? unfortunately unless you want to be labelled as racist, inconsiderate or un-american there is no answer. suck it up my friends, stupidity is the future, God knows I am charitable and give what i can to help people, but no more do i want to give money to the stupid.
How I read it, she became pregnant and THEN hit financial stress. There's a timeline layed out there that people bashing her seem to be ignoring. Easy to be all high and mighty when you don't know the full situation…downright arrogant when you CHOOSE not to know the situation.
What you people are effectively saying under the situation she proposed is have an abortion.
Will I be judged if I were trying to recieve medicade or food stamps? I am a 26yr old women married and no kids. My husband works full time and I am struggling looking for work due to my health. I am blessed to have a working truck, cell phone, and roof over my head. But at the end of the day my husband and I are uninsured because if we were to get insured threw his job that is like his whole check. I cant get rehabillitation services because they want me to be to be on medication first, and I cant get medication because I cant afford it and I cant pay a clinic visit. So my last source is medicaid. So I do find it unfair when people do take advantage of the system, because then when it comes down to my appilication I feel like they are going to deni me bacause my husband “brings in too much money”. When in reality with this economy no we cant always get by with his income. We live check by check and day by day with my health.
No true. Hispanic immigrant families are flooding the delivery rooms and overloading the healthcare system, spiraling us into disaster. Ask your OBGYN. So tell your relatives to stay south of the Rio Grande. This Texas didn't buy your B.S.
I agree!!! Also I agree with FedUpMotherOF1, yes people do abuse the system. I am a nurse and see this quite often. I am employed and I can't afford to get a “new” expensive cell phone (like in the article). Why should I have to pay for people who abuse the system. I believe that is what he is talking about in the article. Jennifer Sigrest, who wrote a follow-up letter in the Clarion Ledger, do you even understand what he was talking about!?? I don't think so. You may like paying for people's medical care who don't deserve it, but I DON'T! It all comes down to responsibility.
dear mom…. that's great… he is not even bashing you or a need for help that you may be in.
I work at a bank in a local grocery store and constantly see this. I cash their housing assistance checks, social security, and whatever else they need. I watch them bust out hundreds to bring an account, which is constantly negative, positive. Not too mention, I know my 40 hours a week I put in at the bank, and my 20 hours at my night job, sure as hell will not turn my Honda into a Lexus.
It's okay, because he was just bashing on you.
I cringe every single time I have to help these people. I cringe when I look at my check and see how much of my money is going to “help” these people.
Here's some help, GET A FRICKIN' JOB!
I understand that the economy sucks. I work in a bank.
I may be single, but I sure as hell know the costs of medical bills. No one ever said I was healthy, but you better believe I drag my butt out of bed every day to go to work. There is no reason these people can't do the same.
Sincerely,
Ashley – your local banker who is sick of people who don't deserve to live off of her taxes
shut up.
Guess what.. I wear nice clothes, have nice jewelry, have a nice car… and I am on state insurance….. but not by choice.. I have Multiple Sclerosis and have been turned down by every insurance in the country…. so where do they refer me… to the state.. the insurance companies ONLY want to take care of HEALTHY people and dump the rest on Uncle Sam… its not by choice I get insurance through the state (trust me I dont get the care I should get)… so before you go dumping on everyone who looks good while on state insurance…. Get the facts!!!!
the patient who can afford fast food and to have a gold tooth, ring tones, etc, is no doubt abusing the system. are you blind? wtf? I would hate to have you as my nurse, because you are clearly ignorant.
OH by the way.. Im a Republican and have worked my entire life, even after I was diagnosed with MS… have paid taxes out the yen yang since I was 16 years old. I agree people abuse the system… every day…. people abuse the system… but I dont think or trust this administration to take care of this problem fairly… at all.. in fact it terrifies me to have Obama even say Health care …. you think his plan has done anything for anyone.. think again.
and one more thing.. who gave that yahoo who commented on the woman “spitting out babies” the right to judge how many children she has??? What are we China now? Go have a smoke with Obama, and get the hell out of my country.
I'm all for helping people in need. That's not what this story is about. Its about people that could take care of themselves but choose to milk the public healthcare system, which runs the costs up for everyone else.
I am Army wife, stay at home mom to 4 kids, and a time student and No my vagina s not a swinging door. I made some bad choices with not using protection, and learn to overcome where here I am in my 40 and have all my kids still at home. Here is the deal we started from the bottom up and worked our way into the comfortable lifestyle we have. If you know anything about the Military we are so underpaid!! We living in housing thats looks similar to the projects, one house I lived I actully had to sign a wavier that I understand my house contained lead based paint. I am not bitching at all just making a point, I enjoy the life we have,,,,my point is we ALL have been through hard times, and instead of bitching on here go out there and making a difference. What's wrong with society is that our Nation as turned into some LAZY people. We know as a family we have a limited budget, and other things are more important than others, so this means we live within our means. Yes we Pay a SHIT load of taxes a month, and goes to women like that in the system. This Doctor is not racist color was not mentioned. Shit for that matter I don't even dress like that, becasue I am too busy clothing and taking care of my family. YES we have wonderful medical care in the Army, but my husband pays a high price for it and often times my health care is not so great because we are limited to what the military will allow or not allow. This Doctor was making a point…and I believe he was right on the Money.
To the person who made the gift comment; are you CRAZY, if someone is giving lavish gifts like a gold tooth, shoes, tattoos…just maybe she needs to ask that person to help buy medical insurance. I know I would!!!!!!! I know I need a crown my back tooth, but my dental insurance don't cover it all (so I have to save money, another concept americans can't get), maybe I need to hook up with that women!!!!
Dr. Starner….you are so right!!
NO this story is about someone who had material items…. how do we know this persons story???? If I came in dressed as normal I would get the same reaction… Make the insurance companies take people with cancer, ms, lupus, fibromyalgia etc.. and you might have a few of these nice dressed people coming in with PRIVATE INSURANCE. Hell I worked in the medical field… I dress down when I go to the dr and take off my beautiful ring my fiance gave me… WHY .. so I dont get this reaction… because I know its there … I DONT WANT STATE INSURANCE I want PRIVATE.. I can afford it… but they dont want me..they might actually have to pay something. Its sad.. why should I have to do this? Why do I have to concern myself with attitudes like this.. Yea there are plenty of people out there that abuse the system.. but its not a good idea for a DOCTOR to ASSUME.. you know what they say about assuming.. it makes and ASS out of U and me… thats not his job.. his job is to CARE for the person not JUDGE them. The burden to control this should be on the state and their requirements to get state insurance.. it shouldnt be the dr's concern at all.. he is there to treat, again.. not to judge!!!!
My daughter is at UNCW going for her PA (thats physicians assistant )… I sure hope she doesnt pre judge her patients like this.
Ok…so why does it sound like you're pissed at the doc?! You're obviously NOT what he's talking about! You're family is doing what a lot of families are doing. Our own service members' families are on WIC. Not that I agree with how HMOs do business, but that's the way it is. You're just venting here. Sorry you are in the situation you are in. Best of luck throughout the rest of your 4th pregnancy!
J PA-C
I agree with the doctor, it’s called personal responsibility.
I have been an ER RN for 10 years and could not agree with Dr. Jones more! I see abuses to the system on a daily basis. People coming to the ER for a common cold or toe pain or chronic back pain or dental pain…conditions that can be self treated with OTC meds…it is called an EMERGENCY ROOM FOR A REASON, and toe pain and STD checks or pregnancy tests ARE NOT EMERGENCIES!!!!! I see patients everyday with expensive clothing, phones, jewelry, etc who don't have jobs, who are on welfare, medicaid, etc and WE are paying for their expensive emergency room visits. They demand cab vouchers, meal trays etc..it drives me INSANE. There are people who truly need to be in the system, ie: the pt with MS in a wheelchair who is debilitated and unable to work, the pt with developmental disabilities or the pt with schizophrenia, etc..I have NO problem with paying for patients like this, ever, they truely need to be taken care of with medicaid, etc. Something has GOT to change in this system, abusers need to have their benefits taken away. PERIOD!
Dear Dr. Jones,
I can only imagine the people you see come through your emergency room on a nightly basis and for the most part I agree with your letter you wrote, but from personal experience there is no way that that patient did not have some other income coming in to support their habits.
I for one am very very grateful for the medicaid system and do not abuse it! I am also grateful for the wonderful doctors that accept medicaid. I do not smoke, drink or do drugs and take care of myself to the best of my ability with my health issues. So please understand that what you see does not encompass everyone on medicaid.
Cynthia LaDue
Funny, this post looks just like the one I saw written by someone else on another site. Did you borrow this from Michael? I do not see him cited here.
This country has been spiraling into disaster for a looong time. It is very ignorant of you to blame Hispanic immigrant families. The abuse comes from all ethnic backgrounds.
Is the doctor complaining about those who have necessary use of federal aid? No, he is not. He is complaining about those who abuse the system. You fit into the former, so why are you so upset?
Of course you are not the part of the culture the doctor speaks of – Your situation is temporary. You and your husband, as you say, are victims of this economy and I'm sure in better times you will again be self reliant. Government programs, such as WIC, were devised to assist families, such as yours, until you are on your feet again. Some where as a society we have gone very wrong and allowed people to stay on the dole indefinitely…for generations! This is the culture Dr. Starner Jones speaks of. I work as a school nurse in an urban district where 87% of students receive free lunch. I experience the things that the doctor speaks of everyday. I can easily identify those who are truly in need versus those who are simply working the system. Those are the folks who are making your insurance premiums so expensive. If you want to be upset (and you should be), place the blame where it belongs! Good luck to you and your family.
This doctor is paid by the hospital to treat people, not to judge them and certainly not to snoop in their files to see who is paying the bill. Circumstances change. Someone who is affluent today could be indigent tomorrow, and he has no idea who paid for the tattoos. Plus, cigarettes are highly addictive. Would he also refuse treatment to other addicts? Or perhaps persons of color? Where does it end? This doctor, who is supposed to be a professional, is definitely not a professional. I think he should look for other employment. In fact, I think he should be fired.
What about someone like me a single mom that only has health insurance till the end of September2010 with a pre existing condition of thyroid cancer? What should I do?????????????? What can Dr. Roger Starner Jones say to me?????
Anyone ever think her boyfriend bought them for her? Or maybe she stole the fancy shoes her boyfriend got her the tattoos or she has a friend who would do the work for free and her parentals got her the phone. That goes with the food and be…er to. You don't have to be living on the street to have Medicaid and what are you as a physician teaching by judging a book by its damn cover. Ty for categerizing an individual soly on their looks! It's the f*ing American dream.
I only say this because I HAVE Medicaid, so does my kid, and I am sure it appears I have money, but I DON'T.
My point is looks is shit compared to what that person may be going through. I am taking medical insurance claims courses in a college I graduate from in 2 weeks. So I know a thing or two. Everyone should have medical insurance and it should be f*ing free, if the government wanted to unscrew the stick they have up Americas ass in health insurance, this is ideally the way to do it. Tricare for everyone I see in a perfect world but it's not, and why should u complain its the best insurance out there along with CHAMPVA? Do you even know HOW expensive health insurance is after premiums and deductibles and copays? Then the insurance screws you over and doesn't cover its part and then the health care system runs ur bill up unnecessarily to the moon cus they are money hungry assholes, which said insurance doesn't cover so you have to pay for it out-of-pocket. It's not America, its not its people, its the system!
And coming from a physician that makes more than a hundred fifty grand a year no less, cus he has to know what he's talking about, yea, right.
What bugs me the most is you can sit here and stereotype people based on how they look. Times really never will change. I am sure it looks like I have TONS of money. I DON’T. The equivalent of a lady with a coach purse and Prada shoes not having a cent to her name. That’s ok I don’t mind being categorized in the same category, because I know the truth as does my family, and if no one is going to speak for that girl whose situation may be dire, and you and him and anyone that agrees with that bullshit are heartless enough to not care, than I will, because it’s more than just what she’s wearing, but the problem with America is it’s so nice to be so shallow about such instances, and just JUDGE someone based on how they LOOK.
My girlfriend is a pharmasist and sees the same thing this doctor did. I come in to visit her once in a while and sure enought i see people with a nice phone, name brand clothes, nails done, hair done and i saw one leave in a new Ford 250.
I am a 21 year old female, going to school full time for nursing, and working 45+ hours a week. My parents did not put me out nor did they force this upon me. My dad is self employed but works for a great company. He makes PLENTY of money, but do I qualify for financial aid at school?? NO. I get no help! I pay for everything OUT OF POCKET! Does my family of 5 get health insurance? NO. My mother had a heart attack and is now costing my parents a TON. My BIRTH CONTROL (to you MOMOF4), is $72 for ONE NUVA RING, and do I complain?? NO. Because I know taking care of a child is not in my financial budget right now!! Mcdonald's down the road from ANYONES house, will give you a part time job starting at $8.00/hr. I do not want to hear that you are struggling!! Being 21 and realizing how ridiculous you sound is incredible!! Dr. Jones is speaking for everyone!! Not just one case!!
NO WHAT HE IS SAYING IS LOW LIFE PEOPLE WHO ARE TO FREAKING LAZY TO GET A JOB, GO TO THE ER WITH RIDICULOUS PAINS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS!! I SURE AS HELL AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT PAYING FOR THEM!!! I GROSS ALMOST $500 A WEEK, AND BRING HOME $400. WHERE DOES THIS GO?? TO THOSE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
You as a medical field student then should notice those people driving BMW's are also the people who are not paying for their schooling!! YOU ARE PAYING FOR IT!! This is the point he is making! Same situation, different area of tax dollars!!
My education was paid for? Really? Last time I checked I was still writing Sallie Mae a check for $307 on the 11th of every month for the bachelor's and master's degrees that I received in nursing!
Left with no job?? ARE YOU STUPID?? MCDONALS AND TACO BELL ARE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET HONEY!!! It may not be your dream job, but it will get you by!!! To pass such remarks?? You are “a nurse”?? Then you should understand what this doctor is saying.. take a break, regroup, re read the post, and then give us your opinion!!
Kristen84~ I am referring to the SINGLE MOTHERS WHO LIVE OFF THE SYSTEM. If that's NOT YOU – then why comment?! Obviously – you aren't LIVING off the system! I fork out $784.76 a month in student loans for my husband and myself. Yet – I know PLENTY of girls who are going to college on MY DIME.
I posted a response to you – but it added it to the top of the page. If you'd like to read what I have to say in response to your sarcastic message. (You'll NOTICE I wasn't referring to people such as YOURSELF in my previous posts).
You are off your rocker!! He made ZERO comments about her ethnicity! That doctor scanned her chart and could tell what was wrong and what she needed in ONE MINUTE!! Thats why he went to school for 10+ years! And to the remark about her care, NO he treated her no differently then the man who was paying cash down the hall. He is making the point that OUR (meaning yours too) tax dollars are paying for this women (who smokes, drinks, eats fast food, ETC.) to sit in the ER all day!!
I really don't understand this. See, I am a disabled adult who receives social security disability. It is less than $1200/month. Because of how HIGH it is, I receive NO benefits for free. I am eligible for Medicaid with a $500/month spend-down (so you could consider that a premium if you would like), but because Medicaid in my state has such a bad reputation regarding paying claims, no specialist who treats my illness TAKES it.
So my choice is to pay $500/month for a health insurance program that I can only use at emergency rooms and for Medicaid doctors who don't have a waiting list, or I can pay out of pocket so I can have my illness treated. My medications cost almost $400/month.
You honestly think that I can afford to go out for every meal, but a nice phone and a gold tooth? (ew!) You've heard too much rhetoric and never seen the reality.
Kristen84~ I responded to you…but, don't have a clue where it showed up at. My previous posts are referring to single mothers who DON'T pay for their education. RE-READ what I wrote. I was stating we pay for SINGLE MOTHERS EDUCATION WHEN THEY ARE LIVING OFF THE SYSTEM. Did you not understand what I was saying? I was obviously – not referring to YOU. I also fork out almost $800 a MONTH for myself and my husband. TRUST ME – I know how you feel. But – I DON'T feel it's MY RESPONSIBLITY to pay for women who CHOOSE to have children on their own. I'm sorry…I don't. We have birth control options, they can have their tubes-tied, or better yet…ABSTINENCE. However – I'm proud of you for choosing to continue your education!!! Espcially proud you are doing it – on YOUR DIME and not mine. I wish more women were like yourself! Kudos!
Kristen84~ I responded to you…but, don't have a clue where it showed up at. My previous posts are referring to single mothers who DON'T pay for their education. RE-READ what I wrote. I was stating we pay for SINGLE MOTHERS EDUCATION WHEN THEY ARE LIVING OFF THE SYSTEM. Did you not understand what I was saying? I was obviously – not referring to YOU. I also fork out almost $800 a MONTH for myself and my husband. TRUST ME – I know how you feel. But – I DON'T feel it's MY RESPONSIBLITY to pay for women who CHOOSE to have children on their own. I'm sorry…I don't. We have birth control options, they can have their tubes-tied, or better yet…ABSTINENCE. However – I'm proud of you for choosing to continue your education!!! Espcially proud you are doing it – on YOUR DIME and not mine. I wish more women were like yourself! Kudos!
Kristen84~ I responded to you…but, don't have a clue where it showed up at. My previous posts are referring to single mothers who DON'T pay for their education. RE-READ what I wrote. I was stating we pay for SINGLE MOTHERS EDUCATION WHEN THEY ARE LIVING OFF THE SYSTEM. Did you not understand what I was saying? I was obviously – not referring to YOU. I also fork out almost $800 a MONTH for myself and my husband. TRUST ME – I know how you feel. But – I DON'T feel it's MY RESPONSIBLITY to pay for women who CHOOSE to have children on their own. I'm sorry…I don't. We have birth control options, they can have their tubes-tied, or better yet…ABSTINENCE. However – I'm proud of you for choosing to continue your education!!! Espcially proud you are doing it – on YOUR DIME and not mine. I wish more women were like yourself! Kudos!
And, why wouldn't that patient do what she does. We have a political system that encourages this. Then, they call them “Poor” and ask for more money to support them. How about each time they go to the doc or hospital, they are forced to pay for it out of their welfare checks……assuming as is the case noted here, the patient has unwisely spent money on tattoo's, cell phones, cigarettes, high end shoes, etc. This is simply crazy.
Doc, Are you serious? First off, I see you conveniently bring in the race card. The doc made no effort to deprive the deadbeat of medical care….he simply noted that the told tooth, expensive shoes, cigarette and beer money might best be used for medical insurance. You must have an awful lot of time on your hands to write, nay spew your diatribe. Might I suggest that you take a little better care of your own patients and less time chatting through e-Mails with your buddies. Your patients are all deservedly on the govt. dole so you don't have to worry about “cash payments” or “Blue Cross” patients. You get paid for everything that you do. Hard to believe that some school gave you a medical degree. Just wait until you have to start paying your own medical insurance payments or do you plan on staying in the military forever? What a moron.
Kristen84 ~ I have tried to reply to you a few times, but I don't know where they went. I want you to re-read my previous posts. I was referring to those who choose to LIVE off the system. I was referring to single mothers who live off the system. As a taxpayer – I DO pay for their education. I was NOT referring to YOU, obviously. I pay close to $800 a MONTH in student loans for myself and my husband. However MOST single mothers (who DO live off the system) DON'T think like you. They do NOT pay for their education – we as taxpayers – pay it FOR THEM. Again – NOT referring to just SINGLE mothers. I am referring to women who CHOOSE to LIVE off the system. We as Americans – have plenty of opportunity in this country. We ALSO have the opportunity to make our own choices. And, since we do make our own choices – WE – should have to PAY for them. NOT OTHERS PAY THEM FOR US!!! I am proud you chose to further your education. I am MORE PROUD you chose to pay for it on YOUR dime and NOT MINE. I have a hard enough time – it'd be nice NOT to have to pay for everyone elses CHILDREN, EDUCATION and MEDICAL CARE. That way my daughter who suffers from a vary rare and serious disease wouldn't have to DO WITHOUT. I'm sorry if you took it to refer to you…I was referring to those who CHOSE not to better themselves on their OWN DIME. Kudos to you Kristen! I wish more women thought like you!
George
I'm an Ophthalmologist in a city of 80,000.
I worked an average of 30 hrs/week waiting tables while studying hard in high school so I could achieve the grades necessary to get enough scholarship money to go to college. I got enough academic scholarships to attend Creighton University, but I still needed to work 30 hrs/week in college to pay for books, room and board. I studied hard and was accepted to Medical School. I went in debt $70,000 (15 years ago) to pay for medical school. My wife and I were married between first and second year, we lived on her $14,000/yr salary as a store asst manager. After graduating medical school, I began my internship year in internal medicine, I was paid $20,000/yr and averaged 105 hrs/week (that is $3.66/hr) and got 1 week of vacation for the year. After internship year I began my residency, which was 3 years long, averaging 80hrs/week with 1 week off per year. I can't even begin to explain how many family events, games, parties, etc that I missed because I had to study or I was “on call”. I started my practice with my wife's help, I did not take a paycheck for 3 months, lived on every bit of credit I could scrape together, but was still able to care for my wife and 2 children. 13 years later I have another physician as a partner, we both average 65hrs/week, we employ 11 people, I have a nice house, go on vacation occasionally, but have never been away from my practice for more than 9 days in a row, and only when my partner is there to care for our patients. When I go on vacation, it costs me all of my overhead for the time I am gone without producing! Every time the government (medicare/medicaid, paid for by my tax dollars) or the insurance companies cuts our reimbursement rates, it comes directly out of my salary. My employees do not get a cut in their salaries, my rent is not decreased, my utilities continue to increase, as well as the premiums I pay for health insurance for my family and my employees. Currently only 22% of every dollar spent on health care goes to physician offices, our overhead is approx 65% (35% is our salary, of which 36% is paid in taxes to support our lady in the initial story). So if you cut my salary by 50%, you will effectively cut the cost of health care by only (.22 x .175 = .0385) 3.85%, hardly making a dent in the overall cost. What you will do is drop my pay below a level that I would be willing to even practice medicine with the current litiginous environment, the number of hours I work a week, and the stress involved in operating on someone's eye, knowing there is an lawyer out there just waiting for me to make a mistake. That will create 11 more unemployed people, much less tax base, and a lot of patients who now need to wait much longer to see another ophthalmologist.
I also am very alarmed by the increasing number of medicaid patients who do not appear to need to be on medicaid. I also see an alarming number of medicaid patients who have not been in this country more than a few months, are not US citizens, have not and are not paying into our tax system that have been given medicaid by our state governments. Research what the qualifications for Medicaid are in your states, you will be appalled that US citizenship is not a requirement.
The “fix” to our current health care and political problems are not to continue to increase financial burdens on those of us who have worked hard to achieve our personal and financial goals, but to engage every citizen of our country to enjoy the fruits of their labors, or suffer the consequences of their poor decisions, which may encourage them to start to make better decisions. Furthermore, we will never be able to fix any problems in this country as long as we continue to allow and accept as OK, political campaign contributions, ie, legal bribes, which rule our decision makers.
1. Having a mouth full of gold teeth is one thing…But ONE gold tooth…?. This isn't Tajikistan where gold teeth symbolize wealth…People are BROKE!
2. I take it from your description that this individual was black, hence my next statement. Tattoos at black tattoo parlors aren't very expensive and in many cases are even free because we always have a cousin or somebody in the family who tattoos straight out of their house. LOL.
3. How you know she isn't ordering off the $1 menu when she goes to the fast food restaurants?
4. Its called METRO PCS…Talk all you want for 24.99 a month. And a ringtone is like 1.99. Yeah…I'm sure that can buy health insurance. What do you have Dr.? A BLACKBERRY with a MOZART ringtone?
5. And whats expensive tennis shoes…? Do you know where she got them from, see her receipt, or even perhaps 'thought' that maybe she received them as a gift?
6. And Pretzels and Beer? Are you kidding me? What is that…like $5?
Just because she cant afford healthcare doesn't mean she has to look homeless, have an oversized 1990 cell phone with an antenna up to the sky, or live in a box under a bridge waving at you while you pass by her on the freeway in your BENZ!
If you call having a gold tooth, cigarettes, a cell phone w/ Lil Wayne's “Lollipop” ringtone, tattoos, pretzels, and beer a luxury, then I must be Bill Gates.
When our troops were getting killed in IRAQ and we were getting attacked by Terrorists, did you write a letter to Bush's ass?
I think I should write you a letter…
Dear Dr.
SHUT THE HELL UP!
Respectfully,
Amber Springer-Lamb
____________________
GO OBAMA!
I wonder if this is the extent of the “culture crisis”?
For full disclosure, I am on Medicaid, eat home-cooked food, breast feed my son, exercise, don't smoke and have serious teeth issues because I can't afford to go to the dentist. I do have a cell phone, my only phone, so perhaps this is a luxury.
I only know of my own experience with purchasing health insurance for the past 20 years. For one year of the 20 I had a job that provided benefits and otherwise I purchased insurance as an individual. I had health insurance when I got pregnant. It cost $400 a month “covered pregnancy” and didn't provide well visits or prenatal visits. I was earning $2K a month because my job, due to the financial downturn, had cut a third of my hours. Do the math–I couldn't afford to get prenatal care. I didn't know what to do and was considering trying to have my baby outside the medical system, having it at home with no knowledge of how to do this (which would have been a disaster as he was breech) when a friend suggested I look into Medicaid. I did, was accepted, though the red tape was a nightmare and of the 30-odd doctors I called no one would take me as a patient. I finally found a midwife clinic and through them had the most wonderful experience as a healthcare patient I could imagine. They are angels–truly a gift from God.
To look at me one might not know my financial state. I have had flush periods with plenty of money before medicaid and have a few nice pairs of shoes. Otherwise I shop very well at thrift stores and can stretch a dollar farther than one would think possible. I even found a pair of Clark shoes for $7 that I wear a lot. I do not partake in other government subsidies although I qualify.
On the other end of the spectrum I know that the doctor who performed my father's stint operation was written up in the Baltimore Sun because he performed hundreds of unneeded stint operations for the money. I also know that I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars with insurance companies and have probably only gone to the doctor 10 times in the last 20 years. That makes me feel like such a looser!
Yes, there are people who abuse the system, but it happens within the medical profession and in the insurance industry as well as with patients. I also know that there are a huge majority of medical professionals who are kind and ethical folks–I just want to point out that this is true for patients as well. I am profoundly grateful that Medicaid exists and would happily pay into that system instead of private insurance. It seems to me that the “rewards for irresponsibility and dependancy” are expansive and that while the “culture crisis” exists it extends beyond patients.
I went to a state school for free because of scholarships based on my grades, and I'm now working on a doctorate in medicine at a top-5 institution. I'm going to graduate with more than $200,000 in loans at 5-7% interest. If I want to pay this back in 10 years after I graduate, by the time I'm 39, I have to pay at least $1,350 every month. If you cut salaries of doctors (especially those in lower-paying fields like emergency medicine), they will never be able to get themselves out of debt from their required education, and they too will have to live off the system to have any of the luxuries in life they worked so hard to earn.
Ma'am, I don't think he was talking about people or familys like your own. You and your family WORK and have been denied stuff for which you are entitled. It's the people that do not want to work and and go out and spend there money of stuff that they don't need. I have been in the army for 14 years now and have the benefit of having health care, I don't have or need a cell phone, I wear sneakers and boots*LOL* and I take one day at a time, on the other hand I have soldiers that are married and drive brand new cars have all the expensive clothes and cell phone and are having trouble keeping food on the table but if you ask them to get rid of some of there stuff they are like Hell No, I want this stuff and I want it now.
Too bad your mom didn't say NO. The world would be a better place without a hateful idiot like you.
”The only thing that eases the pain of poverty is extravagance” —Oscar Wilde
What about the Hippa laws are you supposed to look at what monies a patient carries to judge them and talk about them in a public forum. You have no right treating the public this way. Do you weigh how many people are helped by medicaid when making such a statement. In my own family, and I bet in yours as we are all related,medicaid helps people everyday. I had 2 shiny gold teeth hand could have been judged not worthy of free health care at Boston Medical but was not. I had Blue Cross Insurance paid $800.00+ per month for a long time. Iwent to the doctor on 2 occasions who told me my tumor was nothing as I got sicker, I lost the ability to pay for my Blue Cross. At a free clinic they told me the news of my tumor and at that point it was mature. Local doctors could not handle my case . I was sent to Boston Medical where they treated me with Free health care. Now I may have appeared to afford insurance but I lost my house,car,and all monies as have many others. It may be best for both your patients and your self to set up your own private clinic so that you can turn possible patients away who do not measure up to your standards. We know that you are a valuable member of Mississippi”s health care network. I hope and pray that you can reexamine your feelings and realize how many people you help who are truly indigent. I owe my life to our health care network.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Medwar
cc: President Obama
If you re-read his letter (and are smart enough), you will see that he is clearly racist and judgmental. By the way, people don't choose to be poor. Also, she can blame whoever she wants for this current crooked health care system we have. Everyone knows what a sham it is so who are you trying to fool? You're an EMS provider … do you tell your patients the same thing? “Oh, so sorry your back is crushed but it was your choice to get behind the wheel and drive.”
He is saying that people in all walks of life are financially irresponsible or ignorant, not just the poor so-called abusers. Many people are only a paycheck or an illness away from being in the same situation as the young woman in the letter. Also, you say that the poor “purposely take our tax dollars without regard” … they take a lot more than that. They take our abuse and ridicule. They take a level of unfairness and inequality that “privileged” people like you will never be able to conceive. Just make sure you stay that way and don't meet with any misfortune. We wouldn't want you to have your convenient view of America tarnished.
He is saying that there are people from all walks of life who are a paycheck or an illness away from being in the same situation.
Love it!!! Best comment ever!!
I believe this doctor is out of touch with poverty. The patient he describes simply does not know any better and it is society's fault to have allowed McDonald's pervade our poverty-stricken areas. I understand how annoying it is when people have their hand out and think they deserve us to dance around them BUT this society CREATED this problem hence this society has to be held accountable for their creation. I suggest Dr. Jones was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Some people USED to have a lifestyle that they never thought they would lose. I suppose you planned perfectly for this utter disgusting mess this country is in now.
It will NOT get people by to live on the garbage minimum wage that Congress allows people to live on.
Figures he shoots, tortures and kills innocent animals in the forest, HE's the GARBAGE.
I'm glad to see someone say what all of us who work and pay taxes feel. I'm so sick of people with all this expensive clothing and these outrageous phones standing in front of me buying all this crap, not fruit and veggies. Then they pull out their EBT cards to pay for it. I feel the money come out of my frickin pocket into their 400lb body. Next time they should thank my husband he is going on 42 years at the same company beleive me some of these young people don't feel like they even have to work. They will just steal what they want, or beat up some other person, not alone of course they don't have the balls to do that.
He probably was working so he didn't have time to write a letter. Sorry to say but under Obama we have become a country that the less work you do the more goverment help you get, don't pay your mortgage don't worry we will bale you out. Can't find some kind of work we will extend unemployment again, and again, and again. I understand that the economy is bad but, you have to face it so many there are a lot of people that don't feel they have to work, my God low income gets student grants to pay for education, we have to work to jobs to help our kids go to college. Our school district charges working parents to bus your kids, you got it kids that get free lunch and reduced they ride for free. Athletics you guess right working parents pay low income hey it's another free ride. What the hell am I working for my kids would get so much more if I just stayed home, wait I could have more kids because I don't have to have daycare, my baby's daddy can do that if I know who he is. HMMMM maybe Maury could tell me, you watch that right.
You have to admit that there are alot of people that are getting goverment asst. that were never working and do not ever plan on working. I agree health care is expensive but, there are to many that have used it all for free for years and believe me with less of us paying taxes, a bigger crunch is coming. My husband is still employed 42 yrs with the same company, I am still working 18yrs same company and some how all of our children have been able to go to college and we have no loans, wait I forgot I worked all night unloading semi's for Target then went to my day job but, I did it and we payed for the basics. I really don't think that you can tell me many people on asst. would work 16 hrs straight for ten years to put their kids thru college. My kids are grown and all employed in public service jobs, and they see how people use the system, and wonder why we struggled hard all these years, I told them just remember there is something the freeloaders will never have, a sense of pride at the end of the day. I do hope things get better for your family, and the goverment programs are there for you, if we could just get rid of a few that abuse them.
i bet your black as well
As a physician, you should be walked-out-the-door by your hospital-employer. Your total disregard for a victim's well-being is over-shadowed by your racist comments and really put's to question your degree of professionalism in these situations. Although not named, you violated the privacy of this patient by spewing her visual resume' to us all with emphasis on your stereotyping of Blacks. You're a disgrace and you violated your medical oath. Your employer is also a disgrace for keeping you on the job for nearly a year after you published your simpleton comments.
Is this the real crisis—culture vs. economy? http://spotlight.vitals.com/2009/10/dr-roger-starner-jones-muses-crisis-culture/
Is this the real crisis—culture vs. economy? http://spotlight.vitals.com/2009/10/dr-roger-starner-jones-muses-crisis-culture/ #economy
@Tml01832 you are very lucky to have a husband who is devoted to his work. But by reading some of your comments you sound like you are sterotyping people just like this Dr. Who are you to judge over weight people or any person?
This is why this world is so messed up because we as humans act so inhumane. We are quick to judge other people, when they walk around a mall, or into a resturant, by what they wear or how they look. We can bitch and bitch about this issue as much as we want but in reality this issue is still taking place and who knows if and when it will be resolved. If I do qualify for medicaid or food stamps I will not change who I am. If a Dr. or person wants to judge me then thats fine. Your not GOD. I know who I am and I know my story and why I need the services. Will I abuse them heck no, and if my apperance or vechicle says other wise well I could care less.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that this woman is not Dr. Jones’s mother. In fact I’d bet he grew up in a nice home with parents well above the poverty line that either gave him everything he needed or taught him how to get everything he needed finish med school. If my wild guess is correct, then it might have been very hard for this science-major/med student to learn how the lower class world works before it showed up in his upper class world.
The good doctor’s suggestion is far from a solution, but he’s not too far off in blaming
societal factors for her bad judgment. The woman’s parent (or parents if she was very lucky) probably never helped her with her home work, read to her at bed time, or coached her little league soccer team. They probably did very little parenting at all. So can we blame the parents? Sure, but they’re part of the same system. Her parent probably either worked two shifts at McDonalds or sold drugs to buy food and more drugs. This class doesn’t know how to invest or take care of money at all. Is it really surprising to this upper-class professional that the lower classes aren’t very good with money? The woman probably bought the sneakers, tooth, and tattoos on costly payment plans, or got an advance from a cash-till-payday place that charges around %20 of her paycheck. I’m not sure how Dr. Jones defines “culture” but I hope he can see factors other than rap music that perpetuate this terrible cycle of poverty.
There are so many schools of thought that ponder how society might help the poverty stricken help themselves, but the only view that most people like Dr. Jones can see is tough love. Maybe if we just let enough of the poor die in the streets they’ll eventually learn to save! Or maybe if we pile them with enough medical debt they’ll stop buying tattoos! I wouldn’t bet on it and if the good doctor’s folks taught him how to save his allowance money, he won’t either. Everyone would love to see solutions so long as they don’t have to pay for them.
I’m not suggesting that we start cutting checks, but education programs that cost a little money are not going to upset the balance of the free market. The middle 50% of emergency room doctors make between $210k and $270k per year (1.salary.com). The federal poverty guidelines that help determine eligibility for social programs sets the poverty line around $10k max for an individual (aspe.hhs.gov). Dr. Jones is probably a top notch physician but let’s say he makes the lower end, $210k, and I know many upper-class professionals like to point out how much of their salary is taken in taxes and insurance so let’s cut the good doctor’s salary by a third. By my math $140k is still 14 times the very most this woman might make each year. Tell me Dr. Jones, does this still look like a society that “rewards irresponsibility and dependency” or is there still plenty of incentive for your hard work? If society gave her a tenth of your salary she would be able to drive a ten-year-old car to work, live in a low rent apartment, and earn enough money to blow on brand-new cell phones. You on the other hand, with a little of your good financial training, would still be able to afford the vacation home of your choosing and the car of your dreams.
Everyone wants to help people stuck in the poverty cycle learn to help themselves, but tough love incentive isn’t going to do it. You wouldn’t teach someone to swim by taking their life preserver and watching them drown. Likewise you wouldn’t teach someone to save by piling them with debt or expect them to climb out of poverty with a broken leg. Please Dr. Jones, can’t you find some way to teach her better financial skills without taking away her meager healthcare benefits?
Respectfully,
Patrick Smith
Student of Sociology, Political Science, and Law
Yes, you do choose to be poor. You choose to be poor when you choose the expedient fun thing instead of delaying gratification. And as far as racism goes, at what point was the race of this patient ever mentioned? How do you know the race of the individual in question? Or are you making the assumption that the patient here is black? if so, why do you make that assumption? Is it the gold tooth? I have plenty of white and black patients with gold teeth. Is it the tats? Again, not a dividing item. I find the best way to determine the race of my patients is by seeing what level of melenin is in their skin and I find that most other ways of trying to otherwise divine race are at best faulty. I believe that you, madam, are teh one with racial issues.
You're missing the point. All of these purchases are luxury items. They are not neccessary. Meaning that if you are in a financial pinch they should be the first to go. Right now we don't make that much money so I pick up trash off the side of the road (like broken lawn mowers and stuff) and fix them and then sell them on craigslist. And I have a iPhone. BUT if I did not have the money the phone would be the first thing to go. The point is not that if she would give up these items she could have paid for healthcare, the point is that she is spending money on frivolous things when she is not willing to pony up for neccesities. If you are recieveing government help, it should mean that you have nothing left. Medicare was intended for the poor. Poor is not having less than the average person, it is spending all you have on things that you need, like food and the like, and still having nothing left. If she were actually poor, then she would not have the money to spend on shoes, much less new ones. Take a trip outside this country, and you will discover poverty, we really don't have that much of it here. And gold teeth still cost quite a bit of money here, fyi.
you seem to be plenty hateful yourself
Its a shame that those who have no ambition or desire to support themselves get a totally free ride. People like myself who have worked all our lives,( I just graduated nursing school and cant afford health insurance for me or my 16 yr old) are being denied help from any and all state programs. My kid got hurt at school during a sporting event, and Im stuck with those bills too because of a dispute between the school dist and the insurance co.
The welfare kids and illegals all have total coverage through the state…why cant my kid get the same coverage? I know that their parents wouldnt be paying a dime!
I am not collecting state $$$$$, sitting home on my ass smoking cigs, drinking beer and living off the state as they pay for my rent, food and heat. Whats wrong with this country?
Nice things are not a right.
Dear Dr. Starner Jones,
This example is probably one which will provoke a visceral reaction as intended, and I appreciate how upsetting it is to see a system designed to help people with real needs be abused.
Yet I personally know of rich people who have cheated the system much more cynically than this example. Take the wealthy VP of a fortune 500 company who bought a “farm” in upstate NY and installed just enough livestock to qualify for a tax credit meant to keep real struggling farmers from loosing their businesses. His real intention was not to survive as a farmer but to later subdivide the land for mansions, and a golf course.
It's valid and very important to ask whose “gaming of the system” is more objectionable, and ultimately more costly to “honest hardworking American”s, as this is truly the “crisis of culture” to which you refer…Is it the guy with 4 horses and 12 chickens or the woman with a gold tooth? I don't want to pay for this guy's golf course any more than that woman's tattoos.
Whether it was a R&B ringtone on a new cellphone or country music on Sirius radio in a BMW, I submit that greed is at the root of the “crisis”, no matter which “culture” ( or race) is represented.
BTW after the real estate market took a dive, the VP made us all pay for his mistake, we not only give him the tax credit for the “farm” but for the loss on his risky venture.
So why is who you are at the expense of others? If you've got money for a grill, you've got money to pay your medical bills.
(Hint: god's a myth.)
That being the case, it's a good thing the taxpayers were there to subsidize your student loans. Perhaps, if you're so “responsible”, you should have saved up for your education rather than expecting tax payers to lend you the money?
here's a viral load of bull i'm tired of seeing posted: http://spotlight.vitals.com/2009/10/dr-roger-starner-jones-muses-crisis-culture/
Having a large family, i.e. many children is your responsibility, not the responsibility of the government. Why do you keep on making babies when you know you can't afford to raise them?
not to mention if you die fighting in iraq you get 500,000 dollars from life insurance
are you fucking nuts?!?! welfare fraud is more prevalent among whites than blacks? you are out of your mind. blacks have kids just to collect more money. not to mention the drug dealers that make all thier money in the projects and still collect welfare. why would you fire this doctor, what he is saying is true.
When I read this letter, other versions of it and some of the posted comments, a few thoughts came to mind: (1) The internet is ripe for distortion and Dr. Jones is probably displeased with some of the vitriolic versions of his letter, (2) Personal responsibility is critical to any functioning society, whether we are talking about health, safety, education, democracy, energy usage or other public concerns, (3) Many Americans simply don’t believe that basic healthcare is a human right in contrast to international declarations and the standards in other wealthy countries and (4) Current health care reform discussions are laced with the same ugly racial and class overtones of the Reagan-era initiated Welfare Queen.
One instance hardly indicates a trend. Just to let you know, 80% of the uninsured are working americans…
You cannot responsibly base generalizations on one extreme case. Have you met with every single American without insurance? No, you have not and you are in no position to make any assumptions or judgments. The fact is, lives are much more complicated than the way you are portraying them in your faulty, superficial, and judgmental patient history.
If you want to educate yourself, I recommend the many documentaries that talk about our health care system: Critical Condition, One Nation Uninsured, Sicko… Our system is ranked the lowest among developed nations.
I do agree with you that health insurance is a priority, but I think it can only become a reality when one has the means to purchase it. A culture of excess is not the culprit in this problem; the culprit is greedy insurance companies that refuse to cover the people who need it most.
Those of you who judge others like this have taken health insurance for granted. You try to condemn them for their choices, their irresponsibility, their lack of better judgment. That completely ignores the element of luck involved in every life circumstance. Try to imagine yourself in someone else's position and remember how crisis can strike without warning. In a just society, no one should be worrying about how to pay to save one's life.
We all have the obligation to take care of one another. As a health care provider, I'd think you would understand that better than most… Sadly, it seems Americans cannot even expect that any longer.
You're right: it's not the exorbitant cost of healthcare in this country, it's poor people and their trendy trinkets that are to blame. This explains everything.
Hello DINK,
I think you both oversimplify the issue and make it extremely personal. The problem with attempting to have intelligent conversation with your kind is that you're uncivilized.
The central issue cannot be made using assumptions you make about momof4's relationship with her husband. True, the number of kids she has may have something to do with her ability to get insurance, but how the hell do you jump to the conclusion that her relationship with her husband should require her to say “NO”, that she is irresponsible, coerced, unwilling, or that she has not taken every effort to prevent her pregnancy? How do you know she did not plan to have those kids? How do you, a complete stranger, have any right to tell someone else how to live?
The only response I have for people like you IS a four letter word followed by “you”. I believe that every logical person with a conscience should “practice it” during encounters with your type.
God forbid you have an accident that forces you to lose your job and become just as dependent on a system that fails when it promises so much.
Why don't we put you in their positions. If you can do it, tell us how.
shut up.
Dear Doctor Jones,
My guess is that this patient was the “straw that broke the camels back” for you and you'd seen enough and are sick and tired of treating people who are like this woman.
So you decided enough was enough and have spoken your peace on the subject by writing a letter to the editor and I've seen some versions where this letter has been changed to a letter to the president. Very impressive.
Abuse exists. This is a fact. In everything in this country, every profession there is some kind of abuse going on somewhere.
I could write about the doctors offices I've seen that look like 5 star penhouses that I've seen in magazines at resorts for the rich and somewhere there would be people saying that doctors need that, that their patients deserve opulant surroundings for what ever reason. My question is, who pays for that? The answer: the patients do.
Why does it cost 200 bucks for an inital office visit if you don't have insurance?
I could write about the visit to the local health clinic that works on a sliding scale for low income people that I had to go to because of an absess tooth. I got a couple of shots of novacane and then it got pulled and I got sent home with ibuprophen.
It's my understanding that the doc who did the extraction works in this clinic part time.
I know he gets paid for his time.
I also know that when he saw me and saw how I was dressed that he did the mimium required and he said he could give me antibiotics for the infection first and then have me come back, but that just pulling the tooth and cutting away the bad tissue would be enough.
I was in too much pain to argue. I had spent several days prior looking for a dentist who would work with me and allow me to make payments, but they apparently don't exist, at least not here.
Since the job I had at the time, the only place I could get into, was one dollar over minium wage and the hours were less than 20 a week, I was in no position to argue.
When I went to the clinic I was dressed like I normally dress, pants and a shirt and a coat from someone who knew I needed one.
Since I couldn't afford a cell phone, I still can't, there wasn't that distraction going on.
The doctor who treated me I am very sure had seen alot of what you discribed.
I got the result of what the doctor, like you, was tired of, that is people who are for all intent and purpose, abusing the system.
I could write about the emergency surgery I had to have when I first got to this town and the aftermath I went through because I had nothing other than an old truck and what was in the back of that old truck.
The hosptial I ended up at pays no taxes. I was in the hosptial overnight, the bill for the surgery, the emergency room and the checks by nurses every few hours to make sure I was still alive was over $20 grand. I did have 3 meals while I was there, one of which consisted of liquids after the surgery.
After the surgery I didn't see the doctor again until my after surgery check up some weeks later.
It should be mentioned that I had only been here a month and had to have the surgery.
I had been out looking for work everyday, but no one knew me so I couldn't get anyone to hire me.
What they didn't tell me was that this hosptial, like all hosptials have programs that you can apply for if you can't pay the bill. What I didn't know was that unless you know about these programs, they won't tell you.
They want their money. After all they do have to have to be paid by the minuet for rooms that get reused, beds that get resued, by recover rooms, that by the way are cold as ice when your sitting under thoes blankets that are as thick as cotton dish cloths. I figure those things must be made of gold, because using one costs a whole lotta money even though they are laundered and reused over and over.
So I got sued. Twice infact. Once by the hosptial and once by the doctors who were involved with doing the surgery.
I found out durring the aftermath that it's perfectly legal to get charged twice for any gvien surgery. The hosptial charges you for the doc performing the surgery and then the doctor charges you as well.
In trying to take care of all the various bills I went so far as to ask if I could work the bill off. Since I had no money, no insurance of any kind, I figured this would be an honorable solution.
Their response was to get cold and nasty, they wanted the money, not some reasonable solution.
Since that time I have had different jobs, all of which were jobs that are around minum wage. I've been told that I can apply for medicare and medicade so that if some emergency comes up again at least there is something there to help out.
I have made the decision that unless I am tied to a big tree and beaten up with cattle prods I won't apply for either of them. The reason why is that both medicare and medicade have helped the hosptial system do what it does, as in over charging for everything, and so it's to the hospital's benefit to treat patients who have medicare or medicade. They will get paid one way or another. And so will you my good doctor.
When was the last time you worked all those hours and didn't get a paycheck?
The truth is insurance is the only thing that seems to have a voice loud enough to be heard, loud enough to get reasonable care.
I don't like the price gouging that insurance companies do, so no thank you.
The health care system is a mess, to be sure. It allows for people who work the system to end up being the last straw for lots of doctors, just like you. But it allows for insurance companies and hosptials to do things that are equally abusive and then there are lots of people like me who end up getting the short end of the stick and that baby is on fire.
If I were to throw in the other problem that exists in the system, I would point my finger at the big pharma companies who wine and dine doctors so that their latest pet drug can be pushed onto patients at really amazing costs.
It's interesting how a pill that cost 5 cents to make can end up costing a patient 80 bucks at the pharmacy and more than that in the hosptial. Wouldn't you call that abuse as well?
If you are going to take your last straw and throw her out for the world to see as the poster child for what's wrong with medicare, then it's only fair that someone like me who is equally tired of the health care system with all their hefty price tags on everything from facial tissue in the hosptial running well over 100 dollars a box to doctors perscribing medications that are the pet medicines of the pharmacutical companies to look at the way doctors live and how much time they actually spend with each patient and say that the health care system is guilty of abuse as well.
Abuse does exist.
I dont wear a grill thank you very much!!! People can judge me all they want and I could care I know at the end of the day I can chose to pay $200 dollars for and 0b-gyn appt or $50 for a doctors visit and well I dont have that kind of money. So my source is to apply for some kind of assistants. My luxury which is a roof over my head, a phone, and a vechicle, and clothes(which do not come from expensive places) have been due to my husband and family. I dont see anyone else paying for those things.. If God is a myth then why are you and I still around?
It is the arrogant ignorance of people like you that has got this country on the precipice of decline. You don't have the intelligence, or even the curiosity to look further than your wing-nut ethnic bias. Please just go back to your Texas double-wide, hug your shotgun, and order another six pack of cheap beer. This country certainly does not need anymore poorly educated, knuckle-dragging, inarticulate (Sarah Palin?), bigoted, plutocrats like you.
You are absolutely correct. This doctor has every right to voice his ignorant and obviously racist rant all over the internet. Perhaps he could get a job ranting on that comedy show called Fox News. The shame is that there are soft minded people all over this country who don't know how to, or just won't, look past the rant to find the truth. They would rather bask in their own right wing, self-righteous ignorance.
You, my friend, are obviously among the poorly educated, self-righteous, ignorant, ostriches that populate much of the country not inhabited by those of us that actually have a brain. What the Dr. is saying, if he actually did, is colored with racism and ignorance of the country's socioeconomic structure. Sort of like what you said.
You are exactly the kind of ignorant fool that the plutocrats love. Just keep toiling away, never getting any further on, while your money ultimately finds it's way into the pockets of the obscenely rich. If you actually took the time to study the economics of our society, you would note that while you were busting your butt to stay above water, the super rich were getting most of the tax breaks and government hand-outs. You, as a member of our middle-income, or lower-income population have lost most of your worth since the Reagan years, and the wealthy have exploited the system and your ignorance for their own financial benefit. They just love you! You, my friend, will work harder and longer for less and less.
ok Mom of 4, you OBviously don't get it, he isn't talking about you!!!! he is talking about the kind of people who clearly have money but choose not to buy health insurance because they would rather have an iphone instead.. don't criticize him when you don't even understand what he is talking about!
You're a nurse making six figures…had out your paycheck! I WANT TO KEEP MINE FOR ME!
My husband and I both work…each of us pay insurance to cover us! Because of our RESPONSIBILITY we were able to cover his cancer treatment….WITHOUT HANDOUTS!
WHAT A CONCEPT RIGHT?!?
Why do they keep having children, you ask? I don't know. Perhaps because CHILDREN ARE NOT A LUXURY like getting your nails done. Children are a gift from God, not just for the wealthy but for everyone. I am pregnant with my third, and we are getting by without any government assistance, thank God. My husband works hard at his job and we both work hard at home to stay within our tight budget. Even though we are not on government assistance and will actually be paying for our entire homebirth out of pocket because our stupid insurance we pay a fortune for will not cover it, I am glad there is help for those who need it. I have friends who have needed it. I HATE to think about someone doing without food or medical care, or not bringing children they truly desire into this world because they don't make enough money and someone like you told them they don't deserve to be parents.
This doctor is drawing assumptions based on this young woman's appearance that she was an 'abuser' of the system. Maybe she was, maybe she wasn't. Most people with Medicaid are just hard-working Americans doing their very best to get by and protect their families. Also, keep in mind: by far, the largest share of Medicaid and Medicare waste, fraud and abuse is committed on the provider side. But I digress….
My fundamental disagreement is that this Dr. is saying that a person's lifestyle choices, and how they spend their money, should have an affect on whether or not they receive reimbursed care. That a person who doesn't demonstrate 'personal responsibility' renders themselves an ineligible recipient of societal costs.
Using his same logic, why then should Medicaid/Medicare pay for any smoking related illnesses? or alcoholism? What about a traumatic brain injury patient who refused to wear a helmet? Where does it end.
Thankfully, most medical providers I know dispense care without passing judgment on them.
“I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know”
Your not that well educated of a nurse as evidenced by your writing, aside from an obvious bias and lack of compassion. I am a nurse, lead by example, be part of a solution, not be stupidly aggressive with your personal attacks. I agree poor people on food stamps eat like crap….. so I volunteer my time and teach low income families and their children healthy cooking classes in low income areas. If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem. Your a nurse? so you should know this.
Actually he is not a hero. He should not be sharing any professional patient observations or related information online which has now been viraled on FB. He sounds like an ego driven young resident who is very immature. I imagine his lack of discretion in regards to sharing patient information will be noted in his evaluation by his attending at the end of this particular rotation.
Lots of people are out of jobs looking for work, who lost their insurance right now. Do you really have such contempt for such unfortunate souls?
as a nurse… you know that we have no other details of this particular individuals health history. How do you know she is “abusing” the system with out medical facts. How do you know she was coming in for a follow up from a car crash that was not her fault. How do you know she was not molested and abused repeatedly as a child and is on diability for severe emotional and PTSD problems. How do you know she is not autistic, or that she was partially paralyzed and needs a wheechair. We know NONE of her medical history which would be the definative measure for evaluating her need, or not, of having medicaid. No children were mentioned, so we don't een know if she was a mother. To jump to so many conclusions without just basic information, makes me question if indeed you do have a medical background. I know of no MD or RN who makes diagnosis's or summations without a health history. Unless your clarvoyiant I would imagine a visual observation of her physical appearance or dress would be subjective at best.
he is just a resident and is likely broke
A nurse making 6 figures? Where do you live? I'm moving there!
You're^ not “…your…”
Your writing isn't that great either.
THANK YOU FOR VOICING YOUR OPINION. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF SLACK OVER THIS ARTICLE AND I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU FOR SPEAKING OUT. TO ALL THOSE THAT HAVE CALLED YOU A RACEST……..I SAY………”WHAT DO YOU HAVE A GUILTY MIND”………….YOUR ARTICLE NEVER STATES A NAME OF PATIENT OR RACE….SO WHERE IS THE STEREOTYPING?………..NO WHERE!……..”YOU JUST KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
You pay that much for health insurance because of people like the patient in which the Dr. is talking about. They make themselves sick by not taking care of themselves and not working then come into the health care system without insurance and WE PAY FOR IT which then increases EVERYONE elses health care costs.
Ha, your probably someone like his patient, get over it, He is amazing for standing up and saying something. Now days, everyone is scared to say something for it is “racist” but really it is the TRUTH!
but see, while these people do have all this stuff that you say you don't, they don't deserve it, YOU DO! But they are probably why you don't have it, because soo many people abuse it, when people in your spot, need and deserve it!
Are you a completely ignorant idiot? Low income communities thrive on fast food because it is cheap and easily accessible.
no names were mentioned. HIPPA was not violated…i agree with this doctor. Working in the medical field, it is so frusterating to see this happen. These ppl can afford to buy new cell phones, and all that was mentioned by the doctor, yet refuse to pay for health insurance. Why should they when we pay for them.
He did not mention his patient’s name nor violate HIPPA. He is simply stating the truth.
I am glad he is putting this information out there. It needs to be heard especially by the current administration in Wash.
You’re kididng Ginger…..Right??? HIPPA in no way was violated. What world do you live in where people like this medicare recipient is doing something acceptible??? Dr. Starner Jones makes a great point and exposes a big reason why our health care system has their hands full trying to serve people who work for a living, or anyone who does not abuse the welfare system!! There is no reason why that person could not al least pay for some of their healthcare if they have the funds to buy all the luxuries the Dr. described!
I think there are people misunderstanding what a lot of us are pointing out. Welfare is a way out for people in a tough situation. ITS NOT A WAY OF LIFE, like the Dr. was describing with the individual he was addressing in his letter. There is nothing wrong with a hard working family getting assistance, but when it becomes their life-style and they start abusing the help….Thats when it crosses the line!
My daughter has seen this in her dental practice. Patients drive up in Escalades with i-phones and expensive acrylic nail etc. they have learned how to game the system, sometimes they are third and fourth generation welfare.
The correct use of ‘your’ that you are TRYING to use is, ‘you’re’. It is a contraction for you are. I YOU are a nurse, I would like to assume that you have had enough education to know that.
Well i understand what he is saying if she can buy all those nice things why not pay for your on health care
Children are EXTREMELY expensive. Therefore, getting pregnant and having a child when you cannot afford it, is IRRESPONSIBLE. And 4 TIMES???? Think about your children’s lives before you go ahead and have one. What is missing in our society today is personal responsibility. you’re struggling with paying your health insurance, but I’ll bet you have a cell phone, right? jewelry? yep. I am only 23 and I’m saddened by the irresponsibility of this country.
I hate to disappoint you but you are paying for this person’s hospital care whether you like it or not. When a person goes to a hospital with no insurance someone has to pay for it so the taxpayers foot the bill. You and everyone else who gets a paycheck pays taxes that support hospitals and other emergency agencys that recieve taxpayer support. My and your tax money pays for roads, bridges, dams, parks and a number of other things. Just pray that you or your family never need help one day.
The bottom line is that our Federal Government is out-of-control with spending our so called “patriotic tax dollars”. Anyone who relies on government to fully protect themselves and their family is delirious.
This is not about racism, but those who have no legit defense of the facts of the socialist direction of our country will do what any good lawyer would do, try to distract the issue with any means possible to confuse those from the facts. Using racism is the ultimate distraction and also provides an excuse and sympathy for ones own shortfalls. Sadly, because of this behavior, the cycle continues and is passed to each generation and continues to feed what racism is left towards one another. Go to mamby-pamby land and get some self-confidence…
You are as guilty as the patient mentioned in the doctor’s letter. Who told you to have four children? Tell your husband he should have kept it in his pants. If he had, maybe you wouldn’t be in the situation you are.
Hell no nurse this patient was not abusing the system the patient was milking they system. Why in the #$%^&* would the patient be responsible for their own health when we have ditdos like you wanting the pay for it and smucks like me being required to pay for it.
Momof4, I truely do not believe the doctor was referring to the ones who are so desparatly trying. We do need some type of health reform/help but not what was given us by this administration (who by the way kept themselves off the plan they expect the rest of us smucks to be on). As a single parent, I made sure I kept a job with healthcare, and I had a child that was terminally ill that I eventually lost (and incase you did not know it you can not get insurance on a terminally ill child/person). I also was no receiving child support did not get that until after the older child reach 18. So I really do know where you are coming from on needing insurance and I have paid my dues. Families like yours need relief. I object to the folks like the doctor described (and there are plenty of those), those who go to the emergency room instead of a doctor’s office because they don’t want to spend their money, they want to keep their money for whatever, they want someone else to pay for the health they throw away with smoking, drinking, or what ever, and those who will not get insurance because it takes way from their fun money. I could go on and on but I guess my one comment is “Be responsible for yourself” Do not expect someone to cover your ass when you do not bother to cover it yourself.
And momof4, children are a gift from God, a gift that comes with responsiblity, and one of those responsiblities is taking care of it and if that means paying for insurance then have four more. Just do not expect me to pay for your family, you did not pay for mine.
$11.300 a year cost of health insurance
if the job didnt pay part of it, this doctor would have been without health insurance also
Ginger, you’re an asshole.
This asshole should have his medical license revoked. It is none of his business as to any non-medical related business of his patients. Besides Mr. Gold Tooth probably only has about $1K in items on himself, and we all know he is probably flat broke otherwise.
The guy is a real Doctor if only the technical definition of the word.
I can testify that they exist, M.D.s and E.R.s will judge you and administer care based on the depths of your pocket book, race or religion.
I have been to the ER about 3 times in my life, it usually takes a threat from my wife. My last visit was after having a severe headache for 4 days. Being on a Saturday I had no options to go to a veterans clinic and presented my Veterans I.D. card as my insurance it was immediately aware to them that the Veterans Admin. will not overpay for medical care. I was ask a couple of questions, put in a wheel chair and out to the car before you could say boo. Had the headache for another 36 hours until the local Vet clinic took care of me. It was all I could do to keep the friend that took me from putting the so called Dr. through the wall. My friends medical background made him apauled that I was not given a cat-scan, let alone any other test.
I have had plenty of Drs that have adhered to their code and oath and treated every patient equally. I will not judge them all by a few racist money motivated Dr that exist. I guess I am a liberal because I don’t judge all medicaid patients by their taste in music. Fact is the majority of medicaid patients are young children that do not have much control over their environment. Vietnam Combat Veteran
It seems that some doctors get two degrees when they graduate: a PhD in medicine, and a PhD in Intellectual Arrogance. Every PhD holder I’ve met in other fields of endeavor worked equally hard as medical doctors to graduate and establish themselves in their profession. And guess what?–much of the information doctors learn while in school, CAN and frequently IS learned by curious, literate, ordinary citizens who know how to use libraries and the internet. But of course, human beings aren’t blessed with “equal” intellectual gifts or born into families with “equal” means. Which is a good thing actually, because doctors need plumbers, carpenters, grocers, auto mechanics, bankers, school teachers and soccer coaches for their kids, police officers, fire fighters, and so on — the same as everyone else does. People are differently endowed with talent, brains, brawn, and charisma, and physicians have not cornered the market on Sterling Character.
Whipping people into a lather by Scapegoating one type of Medicaid abuser when there are in fact a great many just as bad but more devious abusers in all branches of the health care industry that have ALL contributed to the population receiving Medicaid — distracts people from recognizing and addressing the scope of the problem.
It’s not just a question of INCOME…it’s a question of inflated health care & service COSTS; the minimum wage doesn’t provide enough income to purchase health insurance (and most minimum wage jobs don’t offer group insurance.) Even a middle-class income frequently doesn’t. An auto mechanic and his wife who works as an office receptionist, together earn $55,000 a year, and their high-deductible health insurance costs 40% of their annual income–whereas doctors, nurses, hospital CEOs, and state representatives and senators spend 15% of their annual income (it being much higher) for the same coverage. Frankly, I think my federal congressman is KIN to the tattooed, gold-toothed patient–I pay for his health care, and he’s been seen using cocaine in the rest rooms of restaurants, drives a Mercedes Benz, and only supports legislation his rich pals want– special interest groups who fund his campaigns for office. Why do I have to pay for this creep’s health care?!
Health care costs more in the USA than in any other country in the world, NOT because its better, but because our health care is Profit-driven. If you lack the brains or means to secure an education or training to enable you to: 1.) get a job that provides group health benefits, or 2.) perform work that pays a high enough salary to afford independent insurance or pay for your services out-of-pocket — your choices are but two: public aid programs, or jail. Incarcerated criminals receive better health care (at taxpayer expense) than an economically-marginalized family of four can obtain.
Con artists exist in all strata of society. Corporate bandits skim funds; contractors and service providers pad their bills with fraudulent charges. The list is long, and it does unfortunately include some hospitals and clinics (my mother was once charged $80 for hospital-issued nasal drops that were described/disguised as “Breathing Therapy” on the bill). Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmaceutical Research Companies and Manufacturers, Prosthetic Manufacturers, Rehabilitation Centers, and so on…all have stockholders that demand a healthy profit-margin at the year’s end, (unless they are Not-For-Profit agencies.) The only way to sustain a healthy profit-margin is to make sure you have more money coming in, than is going out–and you achieve that by denying insurance coverage to people with conditions, illnesses, or diseases that are costly to treat. That can sound reasonable, until you learn that there are a thousand conditions on an “Automatic Exclusionaries List” that are not expensive to treat, for example: an adult who was treated for ADHD in childhood gets denied independent insurance because of his ADHD, its a ‘preexisting condition.’ So is slightly elevated blood pressure, and an under-active thyroid, conditions that affect a large percentage of the population over the age of 55, but that are also inexpensive to treat effectively. It is exactly BECAUSE our for-profit system of health care DENIES coverage to so many people, that the rejects have to resort to public aid of one sort or another– tax-funded health care, charity funded clinics, and so forth. The few insurance companies who DO offer policies to those with “preexisting conditions”, price them out of the range of affordability for low and middle-incomes. You can slow the aging process with healthy lifestyle and habits, but you can’t stop it, and people have accidents and inherited health problems that have nothing to do with their lifestyle. You can bitch about Medicaid abusers all you like, it doesn’t change the FACT that the primary reason the number of people on Medicaid has grown, is because the insurance companies refuse coverage to anyone who is deemed a profit Risk.
It’s no sin to earn enough to keep a business healthy and afloat, but it’s damned unethical to fund $200,000 homes, country club memberships, European vacations, and other — from profits generated by declining to insure the very people who most need insurance. In Group insurance, the risk some members represent is offset by greater numbers in the group who pose little to no risk.
I like to think that most doctors are conscientious, dedicated, good guys and only SOME doctors and hospital & clinic administrators and pharmacutical CEOs (thousands) — line their pockets with inflated charges and creative accounting. They ought to be thrown out too. But gee whiz…although the top-feeders are as BIG a problem as the bottom-feeders…they’re much less visible and far harder to expose and oust. Those tattooed, gold-toothed, beer-guzzling, pretzel-chomping, cellphone-gabbing pirates who jog into the ER in fancy sneakers, are easy targets. But they are also human beings, and if you want them to have health insurance other than Medicaid, walk a mile in their fancy tennis shoes and check out the choices, wages, and survival strategies that exist on the bottom of the sea of opportunity.
Pithy letter by US doc on mindset of those expecting the state to take responsibility for their #health. http://goo.gl/KfsF #Obama #Medicaid
As a nurse, Dr. Jones, I totally agree. I have seen it many times. IT IS ENOUGH ALREADY. People need to stop taking our hard earned money and find a job and work. Our society is completely out of balance and headed for disaster. I am not against helping people who truly need help and I do, but come on, this is ridulious.
Disgusted in NJ
If you read his letter, he was not referring to you, but another individual who clearly is of a different lifestyle. Many of us have had salary cuts, job loss, little or no insurance coverage, but why go off on somebody who speaks the truth about the abuse of the system. If the shoe fits, if not, move on.
Thank you for being responsible. If more, like momof4 would be responsible like you until times and circumstances improved. Bravo! She is either seriously hormonal from the pregnancy or the letter hit close to the mark to set her off.
Kudos to you and your husband. We too are enjoying the simple necessities and minimizing our expenses.
You probably won’t have her as your nurse, as she, Ginger, appears to work in a “medical spa” where botox injections, photofacials, laser procedures, and other aesthetic treatments are usually the norm. Those of us living without luxuries during tough times don’t subscribe to those type of treatments.
Perhaps is she worked in the real medical field she might have the daily pleasure of meeting patients like the one this discussion started with.
Trailer Trash….did you run to Texas to get away from all the good honest people you and your husband rip off??
Starner Jones MD was simply writing about the basics of humanity..
Respect + Responsibility = Reward
Unfortunately in the good old USA, it appears we have a new equation…
No Respect + No Responsibility = Multiple Rewards..
Or put another way…Gold tooth, Cigs, Tatoos = Medicaid
It has to end NOW…people who dont respect others, dont take responsibility for themselves or their families, should not get a single ‘reward’ from our system of entitlements.
VOTE PEOPLE, VOTE VOTE VOTE!
And run for office if you think you can help change this system of generations of entitlements!
I completely agree with the doctor in this article and you brought up amazing points to support what he said. Well done!
What you failed to see here is that YOU are not the ‘culture crisis’ he was referring to yet took offense to the truth he was stating. He even noted that the hard working class cannot get the assitance needed because of a system overrun with those such as the case he presented. I feel your pain, my quadriplegic son who was active duty at the time does not qualify for medicaid, cannot get medicare until 2012 and loses all service member benefits such as Tricare and retirement because his accident was not in the line of duty–so he and his 5 year old son now live with us, we put a mortgage on our house which was once paid off, and he pays for his child’s day and his hanicap accessible van out of the $1100 a month he draws from disability SSI. Get rid of the lazies and their zealous ways, fund those who are actually wanting to pay their own way just need that helping hand up, and we would be much better off.
Katy…the garbage minimum wage is a fallacy….if Congress raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour so you could subsist, then prices of products and services would raise proportionently so the minimum wage earners could be paid. That means increasing all other wages to compensate. Get an education, the minimum wage or entry level jobs are meant to be just that…stepping stones to higher wages, more responsibility and a better future. You can’t have it all…you have to work to get it!!
I read Dr. Jones’s letter.Very thoughtful. Something that we other physicians hadn’t considered as we pulled the lever in support of universal Health care… for all Americans.
We see the same patients, but are not sickened by them; rather understand that it is our duty as physicians and nurses, etc. to care for them too. Not everyone is a model citizen like Dr. Jones, but all deserve to be cared for when ill. This ,I believe as a person and a physician, is a basic human right.
Can she afford to pay for care if she stopped smoking, and sold her jewelry? Probably. Would Dr. Jones gleefully provide service to this patient if she were private pay? Probably not.
What is your point?
My point is… Dr. Jones knew or should have known that in the ER (by law) he will care for all patients regardless of their race, or status at the country club.
If he didn’t know that, he is just plain dumb. If he did know it… stop whining and get back to work.
Have a nice day.
Go Obama Care! Pass it on!
Christopher A. Clyne, MD, FACC
Director, Interventional Electrophysiology
There are 50 million Americans who do not have health insurance and thus no access to regular health care. The good doctor picks out a case which any of us would agree shows the undesirable side of any social program. But, to pose this as the typical case is absurd and mean spirited at best. There are millions who work in jobs where the company has no health coverage and whose salaries are really not sufficient to afford health insurance, if they can get it at all. Hey Doc, how about a followup detailing care to responsible but poor folks who, without medicaid, would have no access to care. I have known many folks like that, some of them relatives, but have never known anyone like the welfare queen you describe.
Please don’t criticize the writing composition of others, if you are lacking in the same area. The use of “your” for “you’re” is incorrect. Many of your sentences are incomplete. Crap is an object and doesn’t eat. An ellipsis consists of exactly three dots called ellipsis points—never two dots, never five dots—just three dots Teaching families would be all-inclusive, so there is no need to include “and their children” in that sentence. The cooking class sentence may have been better written as follows: I teach classes about healthy cooking to low-income families.
Perhaps I am being overly-critical…
I totally agree with Dr. Jones. We have the same problem in the school systems. School districts shell out money for free school supplies, backpacks and free lunches. Yet these kids walk around in $100.00 shoes, have designer jeans, i pods and i phones. I can’t afford a phone like that. I work full time just to pay my property taxes. Why aren’t these school districts demanding to see tax returns. They are just taking the parents word on their income. I’m getting sick of it. Signed Fed Up
Dreams? How about blatant irresponsibility.
After reading several of the comments I would like to say simply that God never wanted us to live life as the woman the good Dr. described above. God wants everyone to be productive (and I’m not talking about babies). Yes, we are to be fruitful and multiply but not if we are unable to feed the ones we already have. As Americans we have learned to sit on our lazy tails and watch TV. I work and my husband works. We struggle to pay our bills. But we do pay our bills. We made them ~ we pay them. Wake up America and go to church.
This points up a good point that birth control is so important for so many families and we should be campaigning that all insurance companies provide it as part of the benefits. Birth control is cheaper and safer than the risks of childbirth and the economics of raising a child. So why are many of our current legislators so determined to undermine women’s health and want to get rid of all forms of birth control. This is not about abortion, but about good women’s health practices and responsibility for ourselves and our families. Don’t let our women’s resources be limited! An obstetric and gynecology Nurse
Health Care Crisis, Insurance Crisis, or Culture Crisis? http://bit.ly/29i6IU
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Welfare people get their money from state so they need to work for their checks. Cleaning up the highways, painting, planting so many jobs to do. And take a urine test for their checks, many have to do this.If you don’t pass, no check. Two babies only get help from the state, any more the mom and dads pay for. Free birth control. Of course, we need more case workers, which means more jobs. No free services for illegals, come into the country the old fashion way..legally and earn what we have worked our whole lives for.The U.S. has gone down hill ever since God was taken out of our nation.
Dr. Roger Starner Jones Muses On Crisis Culture « Doctor Reviews | Doctors in the News | Vitals Spotlight http://ow.ly/5KWc5 Health care?
Dr. Roger Starner Jones Muses On Crisis Culture
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Thank you, Dr. Jones. Your comments are being seen by hundreds, maybe thousands! But don’t expect any comments from our Government.
Touchy feely female.
Sacrifice freedom for security.
Touchy Feely woman again.
I’m sorry, but where does it say that this lady didn’t speak English or she was illegal? Estaban- meaning there were…I agree that there’s a lot of people that take advantage of the system, this doctor never disclosed the ethnicity. This lady also with 3 kids clearly said due to her husband’s downfall income is now in the same boat but only her and the unborn child qualify for assistance. She would have to reapply again in a year, hopefully her and her husband get back on their feet. I also fell in the need to request WIC my husband was laid off and i used my vacation and sick time from work.WIC gives about $40 a month of productfound products. I applied for 12 months, I refused it once we became stable and I paid my insurance and still paying the hospitals own deductible separate from my doctor who ended up being late to deliver my baby, a hospital doc ended up delivering. Anyway just saying, once again I do agree some abuse it but we shouldn’t stereotype. When if u ever need it someone will point at u. I don’t look like I would ever need it but I did at the time.
Jesus F’ing Christ. Learn the proper use of ‘your’ and ‘you’re’. Poor grammar just makes you come off as a complete idiot. You have lost all credibility. Sorry, that’s the way it works.
There are good people and bad people out there using Medicaid and the other free government programs. The government should help people that get into situations that they can’t control, such as job loss through no fault of your own, but these people that have 2,3, & 4 kids all with different men and never work, or work for a month or so at a time until they decide they are too tired, etc need to be dropped if they start another baby after the first child and the children taken from them and placed with families who are responsible. The children should always be taken care of because they are innocent, but the so called grown ups who produce them need to be forced to grow up, and the only way to do this is make them find work and KEEP the job. As long as society supports the lazy individuals, they will not grow up and should not be allowed to keep children they can’t be responsible for. If they work and at least try to get educated, then they should be helped.
I so agree!!
I am an employee in the Health Care field, what you wrote is OUTSTANDING!!
For the record – the patient was on medicaid, not medicare…They are VERY different programs.
Right On Jeff!
The only thing that even comes close to violating HIPPA in this article would be Starner Jones using HIS OWN name in relationship to his profession.
Maybe you’re thinking of FERPA, it’s info restrictions are far more strict than HIPPA. FERPA regards education, and it’s so restrictive that parents aren’t even allowed access to their children’s grades without the student’s written consent.
Which compliance class did you complete to qualify you to spot a violation?
The only free method of birth control also just happens to be the only completely successful method. If you don’t know what that is, then sorry, brutal adult honesty, you’re not mature/intelligent enough for sexual activity.
Unless someone put a gun to your head and forced sexual activity, every pregnancy is planned. I’m pro-choice: if you choose to insert a penis into your vagina, protected or not, you’ve chosen to have a child regardless if it happens in that instance or not. Having sex and being surprised you’re pregnant is not much different than slashing your wrists and being surprised you bleed to death.
Ask yourself this: would you rather have 10 million people working at 7.50/hour, or 30 million people working for 3.50/hr?
If you pay people half as much, but employ 3x more people because of it, that IS a net increase in both employment and income, which would benefit society.
Someday you WILL learn (or die trying) that 50% of something is way more than 100% of nothing.
I know several small business owners who have had to fire employes the day after a minimum wage increase because they can’t afford to take a loss. They had to make the choice of firing X number of employees…or just closing the doors and firing everyone. There was no third option. Those employees were priced out of their own jobs by their own government, something no one should have to go through.
You are correct, and I totally agree that wasting/squandering public tax dollars for name-brand shoes, smartphones, tattoos, smokes and booze is totally and inexcusably hateful.
When will these parasites stop with their hate crimes?
That isn’t exactly fair: Politics is the only sport I follow! It’s the only sport adults should be interested, because no other sport has real-world consequences.
The Cardinals won the world series, and nothing changed. But ObamaCare passed, and it could end our economy. It’s all about the stakes.
The day people are called hateful for wishing that another would take the initiative to improve their own life is the day the American Spirit dies. And I didn’t even get to experience it for 30 years…thanks. Thanks.
From the OC,eh? Maybe you should come to the US, leave the Greece of the West Coast which is California.
You would be making the equivalent of six figures as a nurse in MANY states, because their cost of living is a double-digit decrease compared to CA.
How can you even live in CA making less than $100k/year? Would that even cover rent?
“How do you, a complete stranger, have any right to tell someone else how to live?”
Hypocritically asked by the person doing just that…
“Please just go back to your Texas double-wide, hug your shotgun, and order another six pack of cheap beer”
Wow, what an intolerant, bigoted, stereotypical, dare I say racist comment. I’d hate to hear what you say about black people when they leave the room.
Besides, many of the millions of underprivileged you claim compassion for would KILL SOMEONE just to get a texas double-wide, a shotgun, and some beer. That would be more than they’ve had for years.
Not every one is Elite like yourself.
” If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem”
Yes, our current ‘you’re either with us or against us’ mentality that has created our current utopia.
What I’ve always wondered about the ‘solution,problem’ famous axiom is this: Why should I be a part of the solution to a ‘you’ problem. I have enough to deal with carrying my own weight.
Only the strong survive…so strengthen yourself!
“How do you know she is “abusing” the system with out medical facts?”
Precious metal in your mouth while food stamps are in your pocket is a preponderance of evidence.
Have you seen the price of gold?!? One gold tooth would cover my food budget for 30 days+, for me that would be the first to go, long before the SNAP app get’s mailed.
“I live outside of Chicago”
You answered your own question. Last time I visited Chicago from St Louis, I didn’t eat anything because I’d never seen prices that high in my life!
Move to a state that isn’t drowning in red ink and your cost of living will plummet. Missouri is quite nice, and we actually allow you to exercise the Constitutional Rights that you are precluded from in Illinois.
Your tax burden will also drop by about 20%. How can you afford NOT to move?
“CHILDREN ARE NOT A LUXURY”
OK. BUT, the act required to obtain them, sex, is most definitely a luxury. You can live without getting laid for decades, but you need to eat quite regularly.
Momof4: I wonder why you took offense to the post when it so obviously was not referring to you or someone in your financial position.
Fast food is cheap? I need to move to wherever you live. Fast-food is a luxury that I allowed my kids about once a month. Yesterday I was in a hurry to get back to my ailing mother so I got drive thru for the two of us–only two! Nothing extravagant nor super-sized–a chili dog, reg size Italian beef, fries & 2 medium drinks–and it cost $16. I live outside of Chicago & believe me when I say that it’s FAR cheaper to go to the grocery store.
You actually expected insurance to pay for a home birth?