Medical Reform Activism - A Mindful Approach
Shaun Kerry, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology
This site explains why
many health-care activism efforts are at an impasse. We propose a plan that will
effect dramatic change in health-care without additional expense.
Most health-care activists present proposals for universal coverage, submitting a long list of services that they desire everyone to have access to, and then suggesting various sources of money to pay for these programs. The financing, for the most part, involves taking money from one group's pockets, and giving it to another.
You may feel that this is a noble and just effort. But justice aside, there is a very large segment of the population that resists having their pockets picked. Furthermore, plans following this general model have been tried unsuccessfully in many countries throughout the world. Their results have been far from satisfactory.
A sizeable portion of our population suffers from some form of chronic illness; all the money in the world could not buy these people good health. The pharmaceutical industry is burgeoning at a monstrous rate, due largely to the prescribing habits of doctors. There are thousands of debilitating, chronic illnesses that we cannot diagnose; there are thousands more that we cannot treat, even with the aid of countless prescription drugs, and billions of dollars.
Doctors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
according to the July 26, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association,
Vol. 284. The actual statistics are probably higher, due to treatments that harm,
rather than help patients. An over-reliance on prescription medication is the
primary cause of such fatalities. It makes little sense for activists to fight for
universal access to a harmful and dysfunctional system.
Activism is like selling a product. If you are going to be successful, your product
must be something that people will buy. If people won't buy your product, then you
will be forced to return to the drawing board and reexamine it. The following is a
step-by-step plan for health-care activism.
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Medical Reform
Part Two
Shaun Kerry, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology
Suppose you had a product that would cost
nothing, save everyone money, and give everyone - regardless of economic status - access
to greatly improved health.
There is such a product, and you can read about it by
going to http://www.health-care-reform.net
First and foremost, a salesman must know his
product. If you have questions or concerns, please address them to the
discussion forum.
Perhaps the product will need to be modified, or explained more completely. As a
health-care activist, you should be involved in this process. Remember, you cannot
effectively sell a product, unless you understand it and are sold on it yourself.
The next step is to bring the plan to the attention of your state and national
representatives. This has been made very simple, as there is a
site (http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/HCR) that will
allow you to automatically send an email or fax describing the program with just a few
clicks of your mouse.
We have greatly simplified health-care activism, allowing for a greater number of people to become involved in this mission. Your efforts will most certainly prove productive. The process can be summarized as follows:
Health-Care Activism Discussion Forum
Shaun Kerry, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry
and Neurology
As you read through this site, you may have many questions. You might disagree with
some of the things that have been said; you might have all kind of ideas.
The
discussion forum provides
a place for you to share these thoughts.
If you do disagree, or if something seems unclear, please try to explain your reasoning
to the group in an amicable way. We want to know not only your opinion, but also,
how you arrived at that opinion. This discussion of our reasoning processes - as
opposed to simply stating our beliefs - will facilitate an enlightening discussion.
With these thoughts in mind, please enter our discussion forum. If you want to enter your comments, it will be necessary for you to register as a new user. Otherwise you can visit as a guest. Simply complete the registration form to become a member. Uncheck the box at the bottom so you won't get unwanted e-mails.
Once you have completed the form, click on the button marked "Registration". You will then be taken to a page advertising various email newsletters. Simply leave the boxes unchecked, and click the "Join Now" button. After doing so, the discussion form should appear on your screen.
The screen will be divided using frames. On the far left, you will see topics grouped into categories. The main headings will have blue backgrounds. Select the general subject (bold black text against a blue background) that interests you the most, and look at the subtopics, which are underlined, and listed beneath these headings. Simply click on the subtopic to read that particular message. You can reply to statements made by others, or you can select "Post New" (in the upper left-hand corner of the page), to begin discussing a new subject.
We respect your privacy and have no interest in your personal information. When you send letters to your government representatives, they require that you include your address to be assured that you reside in their district. Some websites ask that you register in order to have certain privileges. If you would prefer remain anonymous, you can simply use a pen name. This is common practice on the internet.