Substandard health care for minorities?

Q. · Mar 21, 2002

True, Renee, very true. But money doesn't grow on trees. We can't pay for everything. We'll ALL be broke pretty soon.

MQ Edna · Mar 21, 2002

Brownms46: Your post reminds me of an incident that occurred to a colleague of mine--an hispanic RN who worked on our unit . She went in to the clinic affiliated with our hospital for a medical problem that was causing her a lot of pain. She was treated as though she had just crossed the border, I guess because she has an accent. She was so offended that we lost a very good nurse. She went somewhere else to work.

Brownms46 · Mar 21, 2002

Originally posted by Marj Griggs
Brownms46: Your post reminds me of an incident that occurred to a colleague of mine--an hispanic RN who worked on our unit . She went in to the clinic affiliated with our hospital for a medical problem that was causing her a lot of pain. She was treated as though she had just crossed the border, I guess because she has an accent. She was so offended that we lost a very good nurse. She went somewhere else to work.

Wow...Marj...that was awful:eek: You...know...I don't get it! :confused: When I take care of someone..."I" could care less about how much money they have...or if they have a dime in their pockets. I just hate when in report...someone will say...oooh be careful how you treat so & so...because they're husband IS....or they're so & so.... :rolleyes: I treat EVERYONE the same!

I had one home health pt. who told me...that I wrapped her leg like it was MY leg...and that was the highest compliment I have EVER been paid... :cool:

Level2Trauma · Mar 21, 2002

I could be wrong, however, I think that the government released this information at the most opportune time. I think that the release of this information is an attempt to take away the momentum which nurses have been gaining in the media. Rather than focusing on the previous problems of short-staffing and poor working environments of helathcare professionals this "timely" release of the research is merely an attempt to reflect the coverage of the media away from these areas and on to something which places "BLAME" on the helathcare workers, thereby decreasing public sympathy. Just my opiniion.

Q. · Mar 22, 2002

Level2Trauma-

That is very insightful, and, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were true.

nurs4kids · Mar 22, 2002

Suzy's comment about minorities waiting longer to seek treatment (ie; worsening the outcome) is true and it is NOT just due to lack or resources. There is a major distrust of the medical profession with many minorities (probably rightfully so), so many will not seek attention until it is too late. My best friend who is a nurse and a minority was just talking about her SNL last night. She was discussing how she will not go to the doctor because she "has no money or insurance", but will spend $70/wk to have her hair fixed. I do think the statistics of the report are a sad indicator if you're looking for equality. However, I also feel that we can not carry the entire weight of healthcare on the shoulders of the middle/upper classes. Everyone, including minorities and those in poverty, must hold some self accountibility. If one can spend $70/week for their hair while they're NOT working, then it's not the responsibility of the working (who can't afford $70/week for haircare) to carry the load.

In terms of the non-English speaking, uninsured: We pay interpreters big bucks to interpret for these patients, then we also asorb all medical cost and we usually feed the parents at the same time. Looking at humanity, this is great, but this can not continue forever. We can not continue to be the melting pot for the non-self-sufficient. It's simple economics, you can't take out more than is put in.

On a personal level: We treat all our kids the same, rarely considering whether they're insured or not. We're blessed in the fact that large corporations and the public sector are much more likely to donate money to a hospital that cares for underprivilidged kids than they are for adults of the same level. The compassionate side of me wants everyone given equal healthcare..the realist in me knows this is not possible. Healthcare costs money and it's only reasonable for those putting money into the system to get more out of the system..

things just aren't always reasonable. :)

just mho

live4today, RN · Mar 22, 2002

IMHO, there is SUBSTANDARD CARE for many Americans because of HMO Insurances!!! :rolleyes: No one - regardless of their ability to pay or not -- should be turned away from a hospital on the bases that they have no insurance coverage.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I wouldn't want Jesus to refuse to treat me for a physical ailment I might acquire just because I may not have health insurance coverage, and I don't for one minute believe Christ would want any man, woman, or child turned away by any hospital for that reason either.

Those who have, share. Those who don't have, share. Those who want, give. Those who never want for anything, give. The same level of caring for one another must come from those who have as well as from those who don't, but when it comes to money that people don't have, those who have an abundance of money have a responsiblity to help those less fortunate than themselves. Our country does a pretty good job of meeting many demands of those who have LESS in life, but when it comes to healthcare for everyone, we have a problem in this country. People should not be treated differently just because they don't have the financial means to receive what a "Donald Trump" could pay for and receive. Our oath as medical people includes caring for ALL, and not meant to separate the "haves from the have nots". :kiss

nurs4kids · Mar 22, 2002

Renee,

I agree 100% that as medical people, we should care for ALL. If "Donald Trump" is held responsible for all the "have-nots", then sooner or later, ole' Donald becomes a "have-not". If that's the case, then the desire to have is lost and we become a country composed entirely of "have-nots". I also believe that God expects everyone to make an attempt to help self before relying on Him or others to help.

Brownms46 · Mar 22, 2002

Originally posted by nurs4kids
Suzy's comment about minorities waiting longer to seek treatment (ie; worsening the outcome) is true and it is NOT just due to lack or resources. There is a major distrust of the medical profession with many minorities (probably rightfully so), so many will not seek attention until it is too late. My best friend who is a nurse and a minority was just talking about her SNL last night. She was discussing how she will not go to the doctor because she "has no money or insurance", but will spend $70/wk to have her hair fixed. I do think the statistics of the report are a sad indicator if you're looking for equality. However, I also feel that we can not carry the entire weight of healthcare on the shoulders of the middle/upper classes. Everyone, including minorities and those in poverty, must hold some self accountibility. If one can spend $70/week for their hair while they're NOT working, then it's not the responsibility of the working (who can't afford $70/week for haircare) to carry the load.

In terms of the non-English speaking, uninsured: We pay interpreters big bucks to interpret for these patients, then we also asorb all medical cost and we usually feed the parents at the same time. Looking at humanity, this is great, but this can not continue forever. We can not continue to be the melting pot for the non-self-sufficient. It's simple economics, you can't take out more than is put in.

On a personal level: We treat all our kids the same, rarely considering whether they're insured or not. We're blessed in the fact that large corporations and the public sector are much more likely to donate money to a hospital that cares for underprivilidged kids than they are for adults of the same level. The compassionate side of me wants everyone given equal healthcare..the realist in me knows this is not possible. Healthcare costs money and it's only reasonable for those putting money into the system to get more out of the system..
things just aren't always reasonable. :)
just mho

I still say that generalization are WRONG...period. One case about a minority does NOT equate that ALL minorities do this or that! Yes...there is mistrust in within some minority communities d/t as one article pointed out...concerning "thier" past treatment in this society...ie the Tuskegee incident! YES...there are those who have good reason to fear the healthcare community! Also it is because of they way they're treated by some in the medical profession.

While in working in S. C. and Alabama...I went into many homes lived in by whites...that were being served by medicaid! I was totally surprised by how many had barely an eight grade education, and who couldn't even sign their own name. I can't tell you the number of nurses I ran into who were working agency at the time...with no health insurance, and a husband who was NOT working either. Does that equate to all white being this way...NO...of course not. Therefore examples of some minorities should not equate with being the standard for ALL miniorities! IMHO...:)

And as for not taking care of non self-sufficient...I beg to differ here also. Many have been thrusted into situations that they had no way on being prepared for! Take the Enron...sitiuation right from the headlines...or 9/11...or any other situation similar for that matter. These people who have been left with NO retirement...where are they going to be looking for help??? Or lets take those whose companies gambled away their retirement programs. Where do you think they went to get help??? Too late for them to save now...should they not receive help?

The facts are that MINORITIES are NOT the MAJORITY of the poor in this country. There maybe more minorities who are at the poverty level....but they do not make up the majority of the population in this country. The fact that they are NOT the majority of poor signals the fact that minorities are NOT the only ones putting a drain on this countries resources!

But in either case...no matter whether you pay for healthcare now...or later when they come to your hospital in an ambulance...you will HAVE to care for them. I would PREFER to care for them BEFORE they have end up in that ambulance...and require more resources than they would have ...if they had been provided adequate healthcare in the beginning in the form of preventive services. Just my opinion folks...and sticking to it.. :cool:

nurs4kids · Mar 22, 2002

Brownie,

You're exactly correct! My mindset of a minority in my comment was not limited to skin color, but rather to contribution, or lack thereof, toward society. You're also correct that the much of welfare is absorbed by persons of all races. As for your 9-11 and Enron example, I believe I said (or at least intended to say) we can not continue to support those who do not ATTEMPT to support themselves. I believe this would not include all those you listed above. I am talking about those who do NOTHING for themselves..and they are numerous. If you worked in 'bama as you say, then you know exactly who I'm speaking of..they are black, white, hispanic, etc.

This whole bleeding heart thing is one thing that holds the nursing profession back...give, give, give and give some more while only expecting a pat on the back. That may work with emotion, but when you're talking $$$'s, if there isn't at least as much put in as comes out sooner than later everyone is broke.

I am not cold hearted as it may sound. I would love for the resources to be there to assure everyone equal healthcare and I would NEVER be the one to deny someone EQUAL care. In a perfect world that would be the case. But in a perfect world, everyone would contribute equally as well.

live4today, RN · Mar 22, 2002

Originally posted by nurs4kids
Renee,
I agree 100% that as medical people, we should care for ALL. If "Donald Trump" is held responsible for all the "have-nots", then sooner or later, ole' Donald becomes a "have-not". If that's the case, then the desire to have is lost and we become a country composed entirely of "have-nots". I also believe that God expects everyone to make an attempt to help self before relying on Him or others to help.

Well said, nurs4kids! I can understand where you and the others are coming from. I am among the middle working class of people too. But, if I knew of a family who needed treatment, and they were being refused treatment because they lacked the funds or the insurance, and I was in a position to help them out financially, I would feel a responsiblity to do so, and would help them cheerfully. There are many 'Donald Trumps' in the world. There is Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Madonna, Bruce Willis, Arnold Swartzenegger (sp?), Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Opray Winfrey (and she does her share of giving as evidenced on her shows with the Angels Network, etc.), Bill Gates (the computer genie who is the richest man alive today), and so many other celebrities who could adopt families by setting up healthcare funds for them based on their "need" for healthcare...and should only be utilized by those who really can't help the fact they are so down and out. I'm not talking about helping the lazy butts in society who are always looking for handouts, but always can manage to scrape up enough dough to get their hair and nails done, buy cartons of cigerettes and mucho alcohol, or buy clothes that make them look like a million dollars everyday but their kids are starving, or those who drive nice cars and live in nice homes, but don't have insurance. Those people are the ones who don't have because they don't want to have if it means "getting it for free" off the labor of others. I don't agree with providing for them at all! I'm talking about the really poverty stricken families, even those who work their butts off but can't afford solid health care for their families...much like in the movie that Denzel Washington recently played in. Both he and his stage wife were hard workers, but still when it came time for their son to have a heart transplant, they were treated badly by the hospital system. These type of families deserve better, too. I hope I'm not sounding too confusing to you, but I think you and I agree for the most part on this healthcare thing. Night- night! I'm too tired to go on any further tonight. Be back tomorrow sometime...:kiss

nurs4kids · Mar 22, 2002

As usual, Renee, you spoke my exact thoughts with MUCH more eloquence than I could muster. Redneck and eloquence just do not mix

thanks