New Worries

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On the way to Mass yesterday, my husband and I were talking about the impending vote on the health care bill. We both agreed we never thought we'd actually see the day -- and not in a good way -- not like something you look forward to with anticipation, but instead we were filled with dread.

My husband works for a Catholic hospital system. In fact, he heads the foundation of all the Catholic hospitals in our Midwest capital city. His whole job changed yesterday with the passage of the bill, if he continues to have one, that is.

Since he began working for a hospital, a Catholic one especially, he has been pleased with the fact that through his hard work, the less fortunate receive medical care. The money he raises and distributes is used to help those without insurance, or lesser insurance, to receive the same medical care afforded to those who are insured. Last year, for example, his foundation raised the money to buy a beautiful new mobile medical bus -- one that travels all over the region delivering doctors, nurses, and medical care right to the neighborhoods of the neediest in our community. This year they are raising money for a mobile mammography bus that does the same thing. His donors have generously thought about those who have less and provided -- what Our Lord has asked us to do.

But, with the passage of the health care bill, the neediest in our communities will have to purchase their own health insurance (although, still, no one has told me how they will get blood from a rock). If we all have insurance, if we are all truly equal in that regard, then there is no need for Catholic hospital foundations as they function now, right? The Catholic hospital mission has always been to serve every person in need of care, irregardless of ability to pay. I suppose they are all just thrilled that everyone will be able to pay all by themselves now. Pardon my cynicism, but I can't believe anyone thinks this is somehow all going to just happen -- did Nancy Pelosi wiggle her nose last night?

The passage of the bill, against the will of the majority of Americans, besides (supposedly) making certain that all citizens will see doctors whenever they need to, has begun to removed the impetus for generosity in our society. You see, Americans are very generous people. And contrary to the government belief, they do take care of each other. But, when the government takes over doling out what we need, there is no necessity for us to be concerned for each other any more.

So, in my opinion, yesterday was a dark, dark day in America. Not only did our government provide for the extermination of the weakest, most helpless members of society, the unborn, as well as ruin the greatest health care system in the world. They also took away our humanity.

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