So sad
This past weekend, the New York Times ran an article discussing the rise in infant mortality rates in Mississippi and a few other poor, Southern states. It described women who go their entire pregnancies without getting prenatal care, and it told a heart-breaking story of a 4-month-old with breathing problems who died after receiving subpar care. The article was amazingly sad, and what was described was so very different than my experience. Towards the end of my pregnancy, because of my blood disorder, I was getting weekly ultrasounds and going in for twice-weekly appointments with my OB – and yet there are thousands of pregnant women (and babies) who receive no care at all! This makes me feel both incredibly blessed and incredibly guilty – and I can’t get over the fact that nothing is being done to address the health care disparities in this country.
A few years ago, I wrote an article for work on our health care system: how messed up it is, and how universal health care could fix many of its problems. I’m hoping the health care issue plays a big role in the 08 presidential election; it’s about time we fix this thing!
-M
April 24th, 2007 11:07
I agree with you with all my heart. I hope that articles like yours and comments like yours will get the attention of the right people, and that someone will put the bug in the ears of the candidates of the 08 presidential election.
April 25th, 2007 07:21
One of these days, more Americans will get their priorities straight. They’ll realize that part of what makes a nation great is how well it takes care of their poor and sick.
I am definitely going to check out that article you wrote too. :-)