Our Nation's Health-Care System Offers Excitement!
Renée Downing (Nov. 12) seems uncomfortable with our nation's health-care system, failing to realize how cliffhangingly exciting it is to live in the only great nation that looks with transcendent indifference upon its citizens bankrupted by medical expenses or sentenced to death because they don't qualify (can't pay) for care.
It's been years since I tried to challenge a charge for $16 for one aspirin in a California hospital, but considering inflation, the $20 deal she got on an aspirin was probably a bargain.
Shucks, who wants government-supported life? You might as well ban smoking in the military so we won't have a lung-cancer epidemic when our GIs get back (well, those who do get back).
Renée, quit bitching. This is the best goddamn medical system that can possibly be devised. Just get a helmet, and stay off the streets after dark, and if you hear a loud pop, hit the ground.
David Ray
Comments From Readers at TucsonWeekly.com
Regarding "Price Tags: The Elephant in the Room in Health Care," Downing, Nov. 12:
Long ago, I realized that people care a lot less about something when they aren't paying for it. This is the downfall of any social system, I think. I rent out a couple of rooms in my house; when utilities were included in the rent, (tenants) seemed to care less about turning off lights, and even water. As soon as I explicitly charged them for utilities (dropping the rent a commensurate amount), conservation was the name of the game.
—W Corvi
Regarding "Navy SEAL Down," Nov. 12:
I was in this unit for 27 years. The men and women I served with are the crème de la crème. The esprit de corps, camaraderie and fellowship between all sections, aircrew, maintenance, PJs and support are what it is all about. This reserve unit is the best of them all, and historically, we have been requested by name for numerous missions, both here and overseas. Spanky and the crew of this mission are all good friends and brothers-in-arms, and I count myself both fortunate and honored to have served with them.
—PaveHawg
Regarding "Tom Has Opinions on the Wildcats, Hospitals, Vaccines and a White Dude Who Can Really Sing," Danehy, Nov. 12:
Tom, just a quick note on the part about the car crash in front of Northwest Hospital. I am a paramedic with Southwest Ambulance, though I wasn't a part of that accident. In the Tucson area, EMS providers operate under SAEMS (Southeastern Arizona EMS) protocols. In the field, we have a bit of discretion and leeway; however, there are certain standards we must meet. If you look at the protocols at www.saems.net, you'll see what criteria go into determining where a patient will go in the event of trauma.
It makes little sense to transport a patient to a hospital that does not have a specialist for the patient's condition. If we just bring a patient to the closest hospital all the time, then we will be guaranteeing an ambulance transport to the appropriate hospital at a later time, increasing the costs and delaying definitive care for the patient.
—bones
Regarding "More and More Native Americans Are Fighting Tribal Governments on Behalf of the Environment," Guest Commentary, Nov. 12:
Best story I've seen yet on this subject. Both the Navajo and Hopi government leaders need to see the "bigger" picture. Yes, the environmental impacts and global warming are important issues, but so is the economic sovereignty of the tribes. Leases to outside companies should be replaced with joint-venture opportunities. Where in these United States is the lessor-lessee relationship for using one's assets acceptable anymore? When they "lease" the rights to the coal or other natural resources, they (tribes) give up their right to leverage their assets. The lessee (Peabody) then gets to take the lease to the bank and leverage the tribe's assets. This doesn't make sense. Who is advising the tribes? They should be sued for incompetence!
—HOPIng
Regarding Media Watch, Nov. 12:
Media Watch doesn't report this week on a development that may cause a huge uproar and dislocation right here in the Old Pueblo. It seems the Arizona Daily Star is replacing its Sunday insert of television listings with a subscription magazine, or you can buy or steal an ADS (or go to the library where there are things called library cards and things called books) print edition each day to get their TV listings for that day in the ADS classifieds ... worried about this craigslist?
If nothing else, it's counterintuitive behavior by Marxists/socialists/Leninists/Stalinists such as (the folks at the) Arizona Daily Star.
Holding a huge tragedy in reserve, Media Watch?
—Red Star
Correction
Due to an editing error, in "Toole Avenue: For Sale" (Currents, Nov. 12), we reported that Chris Larsen was the only party to submit the $165,000 required deposit on the property at 1 E. Toole Ave. Actually, the deposit amount was $16,500, or 10 percent of the minimum $165,000 price. We apologize for the error.
