A Last Minute Post
Writing for one’s own satisfaction to release frustration or simply express an idea has its upside. The downside would be if it strikes no chord with anyone reading it. But then the purpose is not for recognition or a feel good experience beyond the desire to relieve tension or say what’s on your mind. This post is one of those writings. Not something that really happens here often other than perhaps in the comments section. So here it is.
Looking through news today uncovered this little gem at WaPo from Health Day. Titled ‘Health Hightlights for Novermber 2, 2007 is what caught my eye. First thought was the expectation of the political wrestling about S-CHUMPS, excuse me, SCHIPS legislation. That was the draw because of a soundbite heard over the radio. But the sensible reconsideration pointed to something useless as the solutions offered for health care reform or the idea that health care should need reform in the first place.
There is so much more to health care than the distillation to the single focus it now contains. Another argument childishly based on the haves and the have nots. Some have health care and some do not. That is only one characteristic of anything that would resemble a ‘health care issue.’ Health care is about much more than simply who has it and who doesn’t.
So the highlights from Health Day got me cranked. It is a spot on reference for what is wrong with this issue and others. Some examples should do the explaining for me. The first ‘highlight’ is about a study that is described by the title of ‘Children Inherit Cancer Survival Traits.’ Would it be just as true to say children inherit cancer risk as well as survival traits. Anyway, it’s just another in a long line of ’studies’ that rarely seem to accomplish anything other than providing an income for someone who successfully obtained a grant.
Children Inherit Cancer Survival Traits: Study
Wow, how impressive is that? The editors of Health Day thought you should know or it was a TGIF quick fix for some deadline. Maybe that is too harsh. Maybe they mean well. But that too is a problem with solving the larger problems associated with health care. Many people are making more bucks because its an issue or are using the mindless strategy of meaning well without thinking anything through.
There are more examples like offering OD kits to addicts, another food recall and reminding doctors to watch for kids with lead poisoning. Not like these things don’t matter. But how does this rank as highlights? Okay, I’m done now. That feels much better. I do mean well. Health care will probably end up solving itself. But we might not like the outcome. Oh, that’s right. I said I was done now. I am.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
p.s. Never done, just finishing a last minute post not unlike the editors of Health Day via WaPo.