Access to Medical Care

In light of the recent release and popularity of Michael Moore's latest documentary "Sicko," I have become entranced by the truth that it told by witnessing firsthand the type of health care that poverty level workers receive.

Or don't receive would be a better term.

You see, what this country has become since Ronald Regan established a managed health care system, is a nation that does not care about the core populace of America. If you don't work, you are eligible for many federal and state benefits that cover medical treatment. If you are wealthy, you have access to the finest insurance available. But if you have a job and are actually a productive member of society, and have a job that, as most poverty level jobs are, offering no benefits like insurance, you are not eligible for many local, state or federal programs.

Case in point takes this story to DuPage county in Illinois. The wealthiest county in the state that does in fact have many programs that are designed to help the working class poor. They offer a program called Access DuPage whose mission claims to provide access to medical services to residents that lack medical access because of economic reasons.

Sounds like a commendable program. Until you meet the people that receive services through this program. I met a woman that has been suffering from chronic varicose veins and recently developed several painful blood clots in both of her legs. She was recommended to see a vascular surgeon but was instead seen by his assistant that wasn't a doctor who, upon examination, said that there was nothing wrong with her veins, although there was evidence of severe vein problems as well as numerous clusters of blood clots.

She was placed on the blood thinner Coumadin for what was recommended by an emergency room doctor for a period of 3 to 6 months. Keep in mind, this treatment would do nothing to eliminate the problematic clots, only prevent new ones from forming.