Does the Patient Count?

You have to wonder, whatever happened to simple caring for people who are elderly, and in need of support? Whatever happened to basic human compassion for those who have spent their life building a nation, whether as pioneers or as simply citizens, who abide by the laws of society?

When did we decide to treat them like so much excess baggage, instead of as human beings?

In dealing with Beacon Community Services and the Vancouver Island Health Authority, it makes me wonder, if somehow Vancouver Island didn't suddenly become part of the United States health system. You know, the one where it is survival of the richest, not those in need?

Given the intimidation factor used yesterday, it seems to me that we have lost our way, as human beings, because we are so consumed by the almighty dollar. While I know that it is idealistic, to want to provide proper qualified health care to everyone in need, that it is idealistic to assume that many won't take advantage of free health care, it still seems WRONG to be making money out of the suffering of others, elderly or not.

I know costs are high, that it takes a lot of resourcs to properly maintain a national health system, but I also know that if we don't, we lose productivety in the workforce, and we wind up with even greater health costs. That is a reality of life, yet somehow, it seems business & government, have chosen to ignore that reality.

What kind of society are we, when we place the needs of business profits, over the type of care being given to our senior citizens? What does that really say about our values, our ethics?