If you think this system's workin'...

ARTICLE: Firefighters Become Medics to the Poor, By IAN URBINA, New York Times, September 3, 2009

This is the hidden reality of the lack of healthcare for so many in our society: ERs are jammed up with minor cases better treated preventatively and firefighters do all the house calls.

Comments

[joe Michels]

Don't blame the our medical system for the problems of the inner city poor. That problem can be better explained by main stream American cultural values being replaced by destructive values of various sub-culturals within our society.

This story would not change even with full on government run health care, because it is not about how our system delivers health care, it is about the victims that are created by the harmful sub-culturals.

Example from the story, three calls by the firemen for people passed out on the street. What does that say about the community the firemen are serving?

[Mark]

Tom,

Hmmmm.....where to start with this one?

At my PD (suburban Chicagoland not quite in WI) we go on most rescue and fire calls. Having insurance coverage or not, being poor or not, race or ethnicity, has little to do with people routinely abusing the fact that when you dial 911 someone will show up.

They are, for the most part, LAZY.Waiting until morning to go see their family doctor. Nope.Web MD and a little research. Nope.Drive yourself to the ER. Nope.Call a friend. Nope.Ride it out and deal with minor discomfort. Nope.Follow the doctor's advice to not drink, smoke, over medicate...Nope.

Over 20 years I have assisted with many paramedic / fire dept procedures, overdoses, extracations, trauma, etc. The only thing I have not done on the street is deliver a baby. (After two children I could do that now to.)

If you have ever seen anyone hit with Narcan (Naloxone) and subsequently had to help restrain them you would have a TRUE understanding of how this all works. Narcan brings someone back from a heroin overdose. Literally back from the dead.

I agree reform is desperately needed, especially to provide access to healthcare for those that can't get to a clinic. Junkies, drunks and others with self induced problems are a huge burden on any system put in place.

ER's are jammed up because of laws requiring that patients not be turned away or referred to a clinic or family MD. People go to the ER for any little thing. Of those using the ER roughly 50-70 % won't pay. Not can't pay... won't pay.

I'll stop now and put my soap box away.