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By Lorie Ann Simpson
When is enough — enough? I never thought I would be so discouraged by our healthcare system. Let me be clear; I am not upset with the nurses and doctors. They are doing their best with what they are given to work with. I am upset with the system — the higher-ups. The ones who sit in their comfy chairs and make decisions that affect people’s health. People that they don’t know, but people that we love.

I thought my family was the only one to experience this unbelievable behavior. But once I started speaking with people, it sadly is becoming a norm in our healthcare monopoly. In November of 2021, my family member was brought by ambulance to a local hospital. She had a ruptured intestine. All sorts of nasty stuff was leaking into her body, spreading infection. Because her vital signs were good, she was made to wait hours in the ER waiting area. She was in a great deal of pain. She was covered in sweat. You could tell she was in distress. She was clearly in need of immediate medical attention.

I am sure I don’t have to tell you how heartbreaking that is when you watch a family member not being taken care of. It was frustrating to have her at the hospital — the place you go to when you have an emergency — and then to receive no help because her vital signs were good. Once they “had a bed open up,” she was taken back to be treated. Then she was rushed into emergency surgery. So much awful stuff had leaked into her body while she waited. She had many infections and spent a month and a half in ICU. More months in rehab. By God’s grace and mercy, she recovered. Even though she is dealing with a few health issues from what she went through, she is one of the lucky ones.

It is terrifying to have a health crisis and be so unsure of your healthcare system that you don’t go to the ER. People of this area deserve better. I feel like our hands are tied. We are at the mercy of a giant monopoly whose goal is to control and dominate instead of giving people the care they need and deserve. Enough is enough.

P.S.
By Tim Simpson
January 14 is my lovely wife’s birthday. I would like to wish her a very happy birthday.