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I’m furious right now. This is a thread about health care, hardworking people, @NFL @Jaguars, @CityofJax, and the attitude of so many about capitalism. Long thread. 1/x
I worked at our free clinic for the working uninsured this morning. First patient – a 55 y/o following up for diabetes and hypertension. Super nice guy. He also had a dental infection and can’t afford a dentist. 2/x
He is a security guard for the @NFL @Jaugars at the stadium. GUESS WHAT? THEY DON’T PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE. Apparently, they don’t provide this for the security guards or the janitors in the stadium. They “outsource” these functions. 3/x
Are you telling me that this organization worth billions can’t care for their workers? If you are going to outsource, at least make sure the outsource provider pays benefits. How much does Shad Khan @Jaguars need to make? 4/x https://twitter.com/wjxt4/status/1290203251468632064
How many of our local tax dollars have gone to support the @Jaguars – please share that with me @CityofJax @LennyCurry – they get money and they don’t take care of our constituents who work for them? Pisses me off. 5/x
So this guy had a dental abscess and really bad teeth. I put him on antibiotics to calm the infection. His income is <250% poverty level and he can’t afford a dentist. I have to refer him to the dental clinic at the local homeless shelter. 6/x
This gets me to my next rant. Before he gets seen, he has to “qualify” – includes filling out an eight page form and documentation of income. The homeless shelter is federally funded, so they drown in bureaucracy and have to drown their patients in it too. Ludicrous. 7/x
It will take months to get this guy through the “system” – meanwhile, his tooth infections make his diabetes harder to control.
“Means testing” is a waste of resources, time, and increases the cost of what is otherwise basic care. 8/x
“Means testing” is a waste of resources, time, and increases the cost of what is otherwise basic care. 8/x
Providing basic primary care and dental care FOR ALL as a public service is cheap, effective, would improve the health or our country and could serve as a base of preparedness for pandemics and other public health events. 9/x https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynmcclanahan/2017/03/27/rising-from-the-ashes-a-novel-bipartisan-approach-to-health-care-reform/#30e58edb2ab4
I've written about this over and over. Have you ever read “The Secret Life of Bees”? I’m May. Don’t worry though. I use this profound sadness to keep fighting, writing, and badgering the world to fix this madness. Please don’t stay on the sidelines. And thanks for listening. End.
