Our favorite health related blog, Health Care Blog, had an interesting post. Apparently, Obama-Biden Transition Team has encouraged individuals to gather in small groups with friends to discuss their ideas for health care reform so that citizens could provide feedback to health reform czar-designate Tom Daschle.
This clever and witty poem is a product from one of such gatherings:
‘Twas three nights before Christmas, and despite cold and storm
We’d gathered together to talk health care reform.
Clutching Team Obama’s brief questionnaire
We went over each item with scrupulous care.
Middle-class, middle-aged and in the Midwest
With our host’s college kids for reality test.
O’er the country many thousands had signed up for the same
Despite fear “special interests” would come rig the game.
But as we plain folk gathered by the living room fire
We closely read instructions, then vented our ire.
It was plain to us as the new-fallen snow
That insurers existed just to say “no.”
Choosing hospitals and docs? For verification
Our group relied on the best reputation!
While I plumped for more data on quality of care
“You can’t measure,” they said – so I tread lightly there.
(OK, the truth – and please don’t tut-tut
I struggled, alas, to keep my mouth shut.
But praise to the docs there, all credit should be
For their politeness to the lone plaintiff’s attorney.)
We were asked to tell tales that came from our lives
Like self-employed men who hire their wives
In order to become an insurable group –
They still paid big premiums; insurers ain’t dupes.
“Healthier lifestyles and policy?” – we gave that a jab.
It’s mostly your fault that you’ve got so much flab.
(Not being Republicans, we adjured condemnation
We knew of the links ‘tween income and education.)
The role of employers? We cried, “Get them out,”
But decided, “A transition” -- after thinking of clout.
Yes, we had fun, we talked “big picture,” too:
Single-payer, malpractice, and why Americans do
Not think other nations can help us advance --
Though our group had lived in Italy, Russia, the UK and France.
But most of our talk, and most of the clatter
Centered on cost – there’s the heart of the matter.
A woman whose son has a quite rare disease
Spends endless time fighting for care that he needs.
Oftentimes, she must threaten to sue
To get paid for the care she knows is their due.
And this is a woman of much sophistication --
What happens to the less powerful in this, our great nation?
Care’s a “privilege” or a “right”? – those words carry freight.
And so we conducted our own short debate.
“Basic care” for all? Yes, but choices are hard.
Do you get the same care if you have no green card?
Ethics, morality – all very nice
But what Team Obama omitted was any hint of the price.
Will cutting out waste and boosting prevention
Allow painless “reform”? That is the question.
Someone will pay – there is no free lunch.
But “someone,” for now, won’t be our small bunch.
We took a group picture (it’s what was suggested).
We’ll soon review notes (it’s what is expected).
And though Daschle by the “grassroots” has vowed to be led.
No false visions of sugar plums danced in our heads. ‘
Twas three nights before Christmas, but we’ll know Santa was here
When reform becomes law – and as a Cubs fan I believe, this is the year."
We hope you enjoyed this poem. Maybe, you would even consider joining our group for similar discussion. Let us know by replying to this post.
Happy Holidays,
SlavMed Team
