Helping people help themselves

Vulnerable populations. This is a hot topic in health care, as it should be. There exist certain populations in this country who simply don't receive the same amount of consideration as other populations, in terms of health care access, quality, and consistency. Not to mention schools, safe recreational areas, employment opportunities, clean streets ... the list could go on and on.

Why is it that 5% of our population accounts for 50% of the health care spending? This doesn't mean they are spending extravagantly - instead, this means that they need more assistance. I think anyone who sees that statistic should be alarmed. I certainly am. Clearly something needs to be done so that these so-called "vulnerable populations" can rise up out of the depths of poor health care and quality of life to join the rest of the population. This will take lots of effort and will require certain choices to be made.

A shift in the country's view of these people as somehow less than the CEO's and businessmen of the world needs to occur - everyone should be viewed as a person, no less, no more than someone else. At the very least, we need to recognize that part of our constitution includes the right to life. If access to health care isn't part of the right to life and the pursuit of happiness, then I don't know what is. When and if this shift to universal health care actually happens, I think the "vulnerable populations" will become less so.

Additionally, I really feel that when people are given resources, they will most often use them. By this I mean that if we, as the future policy-makers and health care providers of this country give appropriate opportunities to everyone who needs them, chances are that they will be utilized. If kids are given great teachers, good books to use, modern facilities, and motivation from home, who is to say they are going to choose not to learn and make the most of themselves. If the best doctors are made accessible and affordable all across cities and rural areas, and not just in one hospital in the main city in a state, who is going to argue that no one will take advantage of their services to keep up with their diabetes or cholesterol management? My point is that in dealing with these underserved, "vulnerable" populations, we need to remember that at their core, the vast majority people really do want to make the most of their lives and be their best person. If given universal opportunities, along with some assistance, who knows what could happen in the future.