Insurance. Incomparable. Priceless.

     Incomparable and priceless are hardly the words most people would use to describe health insurance.  Yet, those are the words that come to mind whenever I see that with the partnership between the health insurance company and me--their reimbursement, and my premiums and copays--we have enabled me to remain a contributing member of the society in which I live.  I am not a brain surgeon, nor am I a rocket scientist, yet, I am enabled to offer my gifts, and my energy to my community.  How you ask?  Well, together we--my health insurance company and I--paid for the anticonvulsants that keep the electrical activity in my brain calm.  Together, we--my health insurance company and I--pay for the medication that manages, not cures, but, manages tremors in my left hand.
     If I do start to lose my perspective, I take one simple action.  I sign onto my health insurance company portal.  I view the list of claims for benefits I have made.  I look at the gross amount of the medication, my premium, and my co-pays.
     Incomparable.  Priceless.
     I may be prejudiced, but, I ask two questions to those who complain about the high cost of insurance.  I ask two questions of those who ask why they--why everyone--needs health insurance.
     1.  What current medical needs do you have?
     2.  Do you believe you will wake up tomorrow with the same capacities you have tonight as you go to bed?
     Two simple questions, the answers to which should lead us, not to feel threatened by the questions, but rather, empowered by the answers to enter into a "healthy, intelligent medical partnership"  with our health insurance companies.
     Some say, "Don't take things--life--personally.
  "  I say, "How can I not take things--my life--personally?  What am I saying about life--about the value of life--if I live in any other manner?

Health Care Reform

     I can ill afford to engage in the national debate regarding health care reform in the United States.  So, why am I even writing about it.  Simple.
     One of the components of my concept of "medical partnership" is "health insurance."  Before I can make any comments--share any reflections--regarding health insurance, I must make a brief statement regarding health care reform.  If my reflections regarding "health insurance" are to be understood as I intend, then, I need to clarify the context in which it exists in my life.
     I make a plea, and put forth a question to individuals who do engage in the health care reform debate.
     First, please debate--engage in the decision-making process--governed by a spirit of reason, logic, and empathy.  Resist the temptation to play to people's emotions in seeking the support of people who seek medical care, treatment, and support.
     Second, I have one question of debaters, and decision makers.
     Do you believe that you will wake up tomorrow with the same physical, mental, and emotional capacities with which you go to sleep tonight?
     Please engage in prayerful, deliberative debate and decision making in that spirit.
     That is all I will say regarding health care reform, as it is understood in common parlance.  I will devote my energies to crafting a "healthy, intelligent medical partnership."