A Silent Scandal in America?

I’m sure there may be many that I am yet unaware of—but this is one that I’m still trying to process and maybe you will have some thoughts on it too. There are 9 MILLION Children in America who are uninsured and not getting the medical/dental/mental health care they so desperately need… due not to the neglect of their parents, but to a government that seems hopelessly out of touch with the bureaucratic nightmare of Medicaid and to the general public’s naïve assumption that things that happen in 3rd world countries are not an issue in America, especially when it comes to our children!

I’m currently living in DC with my sister who works for the Children’s Defense Fund (a non profit for children’s advocacy and policy) and 2 nights ago I attended a meeting of faith leaders who were meeting with families from across the country who had suffered so much because their children have been unable to get the medical attention that they need. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of these hardworking parents: a parent who lost a son to an infection in his tooth, something that could have been treated in a routine checkup (it was extremely difficult to secure a dentist to see him—attested by a social worker who also tried to find one for him and by the time they did, the infection had spread to his brain which ultimately killed him) There was another boy who had cancer and couldn’t receive treatment while he waited for his Medicaid to be renewed. His mother had applied for renewal, months before the deadline, but his paperwork had been lost and his tumors grew as he depended on clinical trials for care. By the time a state representative intervened, it was too late and he died from the complications of his cancer.

My first response to all this: What do you mean? What about all those clinics (thinking of many of you whom I know selflessly give your time and energy)? Why doesn’t Medicaid cover it? The sad facts: there aren’t enough clinics and the ones that exist are not always in a location that is accessible to many of these families; no cars and public transportation requires money, plus many of these parents are working 2 jobs or more. In addition, it actually costs a lot of money to run these clinics and funding is hard to come by. Those of you who are in the health profession may have better insight on this. As for Medicaid, the rules vary state by state and to sum it up, it’s a MESS. One of the mothers who had been relocated to Houston after Katrina said that she has been waiting for 16 months to get Medicaid for her son b/c they can’t trace the paperwork from New Orleans. How ridiculous is that?????? O, you mean there is no paperwork after the winds and water blew it away? (forgive my sarcasm) There were 2 pediatricians at that meeting who have been traveling on a bus through the streets of New Orleans to provide healthcare to the children in the area…they said that it’s possible to do this because of generous private donations, but it's not enough and that something has to be done on a national policy level to make a significant difference. They, the families and faith leaders went to Capitol Hill yesterday to testify and try to sway people in congress to implement a plan that envisions a universal healthcare for children so that it’s easier for families to apply, and yet still takes into account family income (If you want more details, let me know and I’ll forward you my sister’s info.).

I’ve traveled to different parts of Mexico and most recently Indonesia and have been involved with Compassion International, so I’m aware that children suffer all over the world. Children are the most cherished and yet the most neglected and abused. My latest question has been, if all children are so precious, why focus on American children to benefit from a universal healthcare plan? The answer that stares me in the face: because we can give it to them. We live in a country whose wealth could wipe out poverty if we wanted. Do we not want it enough?

Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed by the brokenness I see in the world. I wonder how it's possible for the bible to describe God as a God full of joy even within all this mess. My less than profound theological conclusion: Must be one of the many things that make God, God. But I also think it means we have a lot of hope to hold on to, and a lot of hope to give. In moments like this, I wish I had more skills, and more money (OKAY, I often wish this for different, and for more selfish reasons too, hee hee)---In all seriousness, it led me to ask what I can do, to be a voice, which leads me to why I'm sharing all of this with you.

Just look at our NC connection group-- You are such wonderfully smart, funny and warm hearted friends, friends who care and I know don’t or won’t sit idly by with the talents and gifts you have. I know that some of you have been on overseas medical missions, but that family and work make it tough to continue to do that…maybe you and some colleagues could do something locally? (Even if things happen on a government level b/c of better policy implemented by passionate people who care, it’ll take years for it to take effect) Or maybe you’re not in the medical profession at all, but have skills that can help in a myriad of other ways, and best of all, perhaps some of you are working at home, teaching and taking care of your children and home---your choice, you voice, your cares, carry great power---who do you think Oprah thinks about when planning her shows?--- she knows =) I’m just throwing things out there---God gives each of us such unique dreams and visions. Whatever is said, this has got to be an ongoing conversation.

They say that Washington is the seat of power. When my sister first began her job at CDF, one of the first things she was told was that if you really wanted to get anything done here, you can’t care who gets credit for it. I’m starting to see why that is true and I’m trying very hard not to become cynical about it. But I find comfort and strength in prayer as God reminds me that in Christ, we have a God who cares about injustice and the broken--A God who loves deeply and compassionately and shows us the definition of a power that is just, true, even unexpected….. “Who has the believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him, despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity…. who bore our infirmities, carried our diseases…who was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and took upon himself the punishment that makes us whole.” (Isaiah 53)