“Do you want to see something really scary?” That was a line from the 1983 film, Twilight Zone: The Movie. But that film is not the subject of this post. Healthcare insurance – specifically the lack of it – is more frightening than a sci-fi horror flick.
Various studies reveal that uninsured Americans are more likely than those with health insurance to delay seeking medical care. Often the only source – and sometimes the last resort – of medical care for the uninsured is treatment in the hospital emergency room. Because they lack health insurance that would enable them to get medical treatment, numerous uninsured Americans are dying daily from curable ailments or complications associated with preventable diseases. Furthermore, studies reveal that uninsured Americans are sicker and die earlier than those with insurance, and the uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed with a disease – like breast cancer – in the advanced stages, because they could not afford prescreening and preventive care.
If you have health insurance you may feel complacent about those facts, but ask anyone you know who is uninsured how they feel about those details and you may reassess your feelings.
Last week, Kyle Willis, the 24 year old nephew of musician Bootsy Collins died from a toothache, because he could not afford to have his infected wisdom tooth removed. Reportedly after suffering for two weeks with the toothache Willis developed severe headaches and facial swelling. He sought treatment in a Cincinnati hospital emergency room and was given two prescriptions; one an antibiotic, the other for pain. According to a relative, Willis could only afford to fill one prescription. He chose the pain medication. The pain ceased, but lacking the antibiotic, the infection spread to his brain and subsequently caused his demise.