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Money
And Appearances In Health-Care Reform
Shaun Kerry, M.D.
Diplomate, American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
My
African Experience
This site was partially
inspired by my trip to Africa, taken many years ago. I
spent some time in a medium sized town, where I was virtually
the only white person, and was besieged from all directions with
requests for money and assistance of various forms. It
was quite a moving experience. They were saying, in a very
loud voice, "We need your help". My conscience
was aroused.
Money Was Not
the Cure:
Even if I were rich, and handed
out money by the basketful to those in need, I would be doing nothing
to effect a long term solution to their problem. There was something
in their social system - something in their pattern of thought - that
stood as an obstacle to their progress.
Dysfunctional Government:
In speaking with the people, I learned of the
corrupt schemes used by their government to
extract money from the civilians. A wall of red tape, which
could only be penetrated through the use of bribery, blocked free
enterprise. This demoralized the entire population, whether
or not they were involved in enterprise.
Unintentional Corruption
Is More Destructive:
There exist both intentional and unintentional
forms of corruption. Of the two, the unintentional form is far
more destructive, because it is more deceptive and prevalent. Furthermore,
it allows for the existence of intentional corruption. The entire
experience led me to begin thinking in depth about social systems; a
thought process which continues to this day.
Appearances Can Be Deceiving:
Though a system can outwardly appear to be extraordinarily
efficient, it may, in reality, be utterly flawed. I recall
a story that a man once told me about his parents. They lived
in a beautiful home, had prestigious occupations, and were active
in civic affairs. Based upon superficial appearance alone,
they seemed to be a model family. His parents, however, were
controlling, deceptive, and critical of his actions to the point
where he literally went crazy. These parents never recognized
their own personality problems. Their emotional discomfort
led them to exhaust excessive amounts of effort on creating an appearance.
Money And Health Care:
Our healthcare system - though on a much larger
scale - operates in a similar way. When viewed superficially,
the system seems impressive. Proponents of the system are constantly
remarking, "If only we had more money, we could do so much better." Desiring
better healthcare, we believe this story, and give more money. But
regardless of how much we give, money is incapable of curing the
system's ailments. It is analogous to the aforementioned African
illustration.
Take A Deeper Look:
We must examine the system at a much deeper level. We must look
beyond appearances and good intentions, beyond intellectuality and sincerity. Having
been a student, doctor, and patient for a great many years, I can see
right through the superficial guises of the system. Unless you
can understand the insanity of the present system, my proposals will
make very little sense to you.
The Bottom Line:
Trying to fix our healthcare system with more
dollars is much like attempting to solve Africa's problems with money. I
see many caring, charitable people giving money to healthcare related
causes, and it grieves me deeply. Though these individuals
have priorities similar to my own, our major difference is that I
realize that the money could be much more wisely spent, if the system
were changed. I implore you to stand back and take a deeper
look at healthcare.
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