Andres Rodriguez

Instructor Josue Alvarez

Healthcare and its Racial, Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities
Op-Ed
Healthcare has been a growing concern as Obamacare is in its initial stages. Many are
playing a game of catch up as they try to understand where they stand. Minorities, undocumented
persons living in the U.S., disabled and or people that live with pre-existing conditions, are all
factors that contribute to an uneven playing field. To recap the use of Health Insurance and or
care, the main principle is that like any other insurance. A prime example is car insurance, much
like you insure your car in the
event of an accident you, would
insure your body. This seems to
be a more than viable form of
investment to your health.
However, what constitutes it and
who determines whether or not
what you need to have medically done is actually relevant? Who deems these people to be
appropriately educated to override the decision of a medical doctor and only approve to cover
certain portions of the procedure? Gods?
Fundamental questions need to first be answered to form a base of logic. Considering the
base of ethics is apparently not a relevant aid in taking into consideration, the gravity of human
health. We must first as a society begin to influence the media, and shift from describing the
problem to what voters and suggestions can make. To question every cent raised in prescribed
drugs, especially if the pills are for terminal illness. Its because we dont question these things
Andres Rodriguez
Instructor Josue Alvarez
that companies find it easy to monopolize, because this is a topic that literally involves life or
death decisions. The influence of making decisions out of fear leads to rash decisions, politicians
toy with ranting approaches out of pithy to portray a false sense of progress.
The most disturbing thing that this whole topic entails, is the apathy people in power have
upon the topic. Apathy being the enemy bigger than the lethargy both parties consistently emit
when promising laws are proposed. No one, in any government agency denies disparities are an
in existence. Steven Brill, conducted research of his own throughout several months to explore
the topic. His research is essential, because he isnt an influencing figure in healthcare. He
simply decided to endeavor into unknown territory with the point of view of an average
American. He later published his work in Times magazine and named it Bitter Pill: Why
Medical Bills Are Killing Us. It then became the longest article Times magazine had ever
published, and became the cover of that issue. I removed snippets from the article, because I
believe they are quintessential to understand where we as Americans can move on, from
whatever it is that we know about how disparities can affect us. In a statement made by Brill he
says, We spend two or three times more on durable medical devices like canes and wheelchairs,
in part because a heavily lobbied Congress forces Medicare to pay 25% to 75% more for this
equipment than it would cost at Walmart. (Brill, The Bitter Pill. 2013, page 3). Another
statement made by Brill was In the U.S., people spend almost 20% of the gross domestic
product on health care, compared with about half that in most developed countries. Yet in every
measurable way, the results our health care system produces are no better and often worse than
the outcomes in those countries.(Brill, The Bitter Pill. 2013, page 4).
Andres Rodriguez
Instructor Josue Alvarez
We arent doing enough, and by simply voicing our concerns we can change that. Its the health
of us, our kids and our loved ones. For the future of mankind, we must remember money is not
worth more than blood, in any way shape or quantity.
References
(January, 2014, 23) National Conference of State Legislature: Health Disparities Overview, retrieved
from http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/health-disparities-overview.aspx (2014).
(January, 2011, 14) CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Health Disparities and
Inequalities Report- United States, 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6001.pdf (2011)
(2013) Times, Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us: Steven Brill
http://livingwithmcl.com/BitterPill.pdf