Michael Moore: Thanks, but no thanks

I must admit that when I watched 'Sicko' about a year ago, I was intrigued. Michael Moore definitely grasped my attention and made me think about numerous issues in our country's health care system. I was appalled to watch people dumped on the sidewalk because hospitals were denying care, 9-11 heroes suffering from resulting untreated medical issues, and people dying simply because they cannot get necessary health care. The documentary was powerful, almost life changing. Careful not to completely jump the fence politically, I studied and informed myself at a basic level. Although I feel socialized medicine would be completely ideal in a perfect world, our government is currently in no place to carry out such an endeavor.

Thursday morning, I woke up my family at 6:30 to go to Ogden for a swine flu mass vaccine clinic. We arrived 45 minutes before the clinic was to start; already the line wrapped around the health department and down the street for 3 blocks. We decided to wait in line after putting in the effort to get to the clinic and knowing that we would have to wait again for similar clinics in the near future. After 3.5 hours, we were some of the last people to receive vaccine before the supply was depleted. Not only am I embarrassed that we waited in a line that long, but I am also worried about our future. Obviously, the swine flu has been overly hyped by both the government and the media. For most people, contracting the virus is simply miserable, but not life-threatening. Even so, I feel that if I have a means to protect my children, I will do so. The problem is that citizens were made promises that were not carried out. By mid-October, we were all told that vaccine would be available for those who wanted it. We are now approaching the end of October and few have had the opportunity to get the vaccine. Luckily, we are dealing with swine flu and not Ebola.

I felt ridiculous waiting in line for a vaccine. I felt like I was in communist Russia waiting in line for bread and eggs. The man behind us in line was trying to get his 18 month old son the injectable vaccine because he had a 3 day old baby at home. After waiting for 3 hours, he had to leave because only the Flumist remained. If our nation passes a national health care plan and we eventually all become at the mercy of the government, are we going to be waiting in these often fruitless breadlines for all of our health care needs?

Obviously our current system is NOT working. Statistics project that by the end of this year, 1 out of 5 people in Utah alone will be without health care benefits. This is completely unacceptable. Unfortunately I fear what the current proposed changes will bring to our society and our ability to receive the care that we all need. I just wish I knew how to solve the problem.