Notes on the Healthcare Plan
In the latest Grey's Anatomy episode last week, Karev was given a medical bill for over 200,000 dollars because he was the next of kin for his wife who had cancer, Izzy, who had absconded in an earlier episode. This small bit of drama rang true in my own life because I had one husband who didn't want to be responsible for hospital bills as the result of my bipolar illness, and current husband who has stepped up the plate with no complaints. I think the fact that loved ones, especially a mate, are responsible for hospital bills of a sick loved one who can't pay for it themselves reveals the political dynamic of caregivers.Caregivers aren't just the ones who give comfort to their sick loved ones, they are people who might have to make legal decisions, end of life decisions, care decisions, and monetary decisions for those they care for. They have responsibilities and obligations, and I believe that caregivers should have certain rights protected by law and by social conventions. This is why a bill of rights for caregiver's must go beyond the emotional and personal context of caregiving--it should consider the political dimensions as well. I also think caregiving should be an important consideration for the health care bill, especially since caregivers provide much medical aide often for free and on a volunteer basis that is essential in public health and healthcare in general.
We have certain expectations and protections for people who are professional caregivers--we have a whole health care industry based on these sorts of caregivers, but the foundation of health care is ultimately the people who caregive out of love or obligation, not pay. Anyone of us could become ill, and there should be some method to designate certain people as caregivers, who have certain obligations and rights. We are encouraged to have living wills to designate care in critical circumstances--caregiving should also be a planned consideration as well.
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