Saturday, June 11, 2005

Lessons of charity In a 'Letter to the Editor' in today's N&R, Maureen Parker lauded the success of HoggFest after reading Ed Cone's recent column recounting the event.  But she also lamented the need for such a fundraiser as being indicative of everything that is wrong with America's health care system... "...here in the U.S.A., the richest country in the world, the Hoggards are far from unique. Countless other families find themselves in crisis for no reason other than that someone was unlucky enough to get cancer, be in an accident, or require surgery.. We are a generous and innovative country. We need a national health care plan. If Canada and most European countries can do it, so can we. .." But in the comments to Parker's letter, reader Paul Elledge took a different view and opines that Americans should take a lesson from what HoggFest accomplished... "... I think this proves that we DON'T need a healthcare system. Obviously Americans are generous people and will voluntarily donate their money to help people in need. Let's go that route instead of having the government steal money from our paychecks and create unconstitutional bureaucracies."   Then in a later comment, Elledge adds this, "...charity is the only moral way to help those who are having a hard time. Stealing from other people is not a moral way to help others. Neither is it the best way. Directly helping others through charity far exceeds trying to help them through inefficient government programs, for it is more immediate and less costly." I agree with Mr. Elledge that charity is the best policy in such situations, but it is not the answer to America's health care problems.  For all of the great fun, fellowship and giving that occured at HoggFest, the total amount raised was right at $10,000.  My family's out-of-pocket medical expenses will probably reach $45,000 before we are completely shed of Jinni's breast cancer treatments.  And we are one of the lucky families who actually has health insurance, Also, the sad fact is that not every Greensboro family who is immersed in a catastrophic illness will be fortunate enough to have a network of friends who can rally the community like HoggFest did. Our health care system is completely and utterly broken.  As much as I appreciate Mr. Elledge's sentiments, bake sales, raffles, and benefit concerts just aren't going to fix the problem. 11:53:42 PM     comments to the above post so far, join in.

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