Face of the Uninsured

Last week, we saw Mark for the first time. He is a 45-year-old male with a new diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension. He was admitted to the local hospital with an elevated blood sugar; he was discharged to the free clinic for follow-up and medications.

He arrived here accompanied by his mother. His blood pressure upon arrival was 225/94; it was checked again by the doctor, and was still elevated at 212/92. These blood pressure readings are crisis readings – and we had no choice but to send him back to the emergency room.

So, he still has no medications. He now has a second emergency room bill, and most likely, another hospitalization.

Until six months ago, he was employed as a truck driver. With the two diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes, it is unlikely that he will drive truck again. Finding a new job path at age 45 will be difficult. He is uninsured and under the current climate in Michigan, he will remain uninsured with huge hospital debt already incurred and the need for expensive medications for the rest of his life.

Explain to me again why we don’t want to provide healthcare to people? He has worked almost all of his adult life – he has paid taxes, contributed to society, but now in his time of need we say, “Sorry.” I do not understand.