Dallas and the Nation's Hospital and Insurance Dilemma

Health care is a subject which we are all interested in and affected by. The recent Healthcare bill which was approved by Congress has brought the matter to the forefront and has become a gigantic issue to all citizens Recently, while pondering on the subject, I came across some local Dallas County headline stories. Two separate articles have brought some facts to light which reveal to all who read that we are in pretty big trouble. These serious problems of the costs of healthcare and government surfacing in the Dallas area are a small sampling of what is being experienced nationwide.

The first article published by the Dallas Morning News on August 29, 2010 explored a serious matter of a lawsuit filed by the Federal government against Parkland Hospital which has been in litigation since 2006. The lawsuit alleges that the County hospital has been guilty of drastic overcharges for patient care to Medicare. Parkland Hospital is charged with a debt to repay approximately $50 million in restitution and fines to the US government.

The second article published in NBC/DFW on August 31, 2010 concerns a tax hike for Dallas County. which will increase property taxes for all real estate holdings in the county. It seems evident that the increased tax revenues from the citizens will be applied in part to the payment of Parkland's debt for wrongdoing.

I write as a concerned citizen who has just recently been adversely affected by soaring hospital costs and the anxiety caused by soon coming burdens to acquire mandated government sponsored Health Care insurance.

Over the last three years my life has been altered dramatically by severe trials involving healthcare and medical treatment. My husband has suffered through two bouts with life threatening cancer, and by the graces of God combined with the marvels of medicine, he has survived! The shocking truth is that this marvelous medical care cost Medicare insurance in excess of $80,000. Our portion after insurance settlements was approximately $15,000, which was our life savings. This was the cost for one major lung surgery and various chemo and radiation treatments, and all necessary tests and lab work ordered. I'm very grateful for skilled doctors, well staffed and equipped hospitals, and Medicare insurance. However, I do sincerely seek some answers about the high costs charged by the health providers for the care. One recent visit my husband required to an emergency room for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic pain and strange after cancer symptoms took about three hours, and Medicare got a bill for $9.700.00. That is outrageous! I trust in the true and living God for my own personal restoration of all losses, but many who suffer these things do not yet know how to apprehend that help.

Having these local sad dilemmas brought to my attention has created in me a fresh resolve to share this very relevant information with many. This nation is experiencing a serious collapse of trust in old and time honored American institutions. Sadly, it seems that today's hospitals which should serve as bastions of mercy and as a lifeline of assistance to families in crisis are becoming a tool in the hands of "big money" with hidden agendas. Our city, county and federal government offices need honest overseers. Corruption in the thrones of political power must be dealt with. I do not claim to have an answer as to where all the "bad guys" are hiding here, but I do suspect there are certainly some to be found. I wonder if someone, somewhere, is profiting illegally and unreasonably from the sicknesses and diseases of the poor? Where does the buck stop, and who is responsible? Journalist Greg Sargent reported in an article published in August 2009 in The Plumline.that one famous billionaire was willing to invest millions to advance the legislation for health care reform through the Congress. How is it that a man with such a shady reputation has such influence with our lawmakers? Is our Congress's honored privilege to legislate for sale to the highest bidder? Is there great profit to be gained by these big money groups?

The results of the recent power shift in out Congress seems to me to be a wake up call to any who aspire to political office. How can we see that our ruling authorities do what they are elected to do, which is to uphold our Constitution? By the people, of the people and for the people. Those who ignore the rights of the poor and defenseless to favor big business and biased lobbying groups are fast losing favor with the voters. We must study well the character of all who campaign for political office. Politicians with poor moral character are easily tempted by men of renown who promote themselves as saviors of the public good but lie to cover up their motives.and agendas for their own personal causes.

May the Lord shine needed light on us in this deep valley! Let us be as little children earnestly seeking the wisdom of the Father. He will guide all who will seek his counsel for making these very crucial decisions in judging leaders.

Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to God, and he will reward him.

Proverbs 13:14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life.

Article reference sources:

Parkland Hospital by Brooks Egerton and Miles Moffitt / The Dallas Morning News
Dallas County Tax Hike on NBC/DFW by Ken Kalthoff
Billionaire Investor by Greg Sargent / The Plumline.whoruns gov.com
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