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Health care system needs some help - Vilas County News-Review
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Health care system needs some help
11/5/2019 9:04 AM
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Letter to the Editor:
Last weekend, my wife and I ran up against some new realities of modern health care. My father-in-law wanted to get into some appropriate senior care facility because, at 100 years of age and with an advanced lung disease, he was having trouble breathing, walking, dressing and eating, and we were concerned for his safety.
Dad’s primary care provider told us the correct procedure was to call an ambulance, which would transport him to Ascension Eagle River Hospital where he would be evaluated and sent on to an appropriate nursing home, probably in Rhinelander, for professional care. Only part of that plan worked out.
The hospitalist was only able to admit him for observation because his condition was not abnormal for an old man. So Dad was ordered a quick tune-up and no nursing home.
The health care workers we encountered were kind and attentive, but unable to help us in the way they wanted to. When we asked why, they each had the same verbatim answer “The system is broken.” I think this meant that some regulation, algorithm or policy is getting in the way of helping an old man; some bottom line or stockholder interest is more important than actually helping people.
The system is indeed broken. When you are assigned a nurse practitioner rather than a doctor; when a doctor’s appointment occurs on a computer monitor with a doctor in Wausau; when caring, but untrained family members are left to care for the complex needs of an aged relative then, yes, the system is broken.
But how to fix it? I suggest that when you are unhappy with how your health care is being handled, write to your state representative and senator, U.S. congressman and senator.
Let’s generate some grassroots pressure to push back against the dollar-driven decline in the way health care is provided in this country. They eventually have to listen, don’t they?
Tom R. Zander
Conover
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Given your description of your father-in-law's condition, it is shocking to hear that according to the hospital staff, his status was "not abnormal for an old man." Advanced disease, trouble breathing, walking, dressing and eating all seem to indicate the need for nursing home care for a 100 year old man. I can't imagine that help wasn't offered. Even Medicare offers short term care. I share your concerns over the health system in America. Unless you are wealthy, have the right job, or belong to some favored demographic -- too old, too young, too poor, a veteran -- the system does not work for you. As you point out, the system is money-driven. I believe it needs to be taken out of the private sector and viewed as a public health crisis, a public responsibility. Most of the rest of the world figured this out a long time ago. It's time we did as well. Jeff Laadt
This comment has been hidden due to low approval.
jeffrey laadt
11/11/2019 7:01:00 AM
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