Charity Founded To Help People In Remote Areas Obtain Basic Medical Care Sets Up Shop In The United States
Getting your basic health care from a charity organization isn't just for people in remote areas anymore, according to 60 Minutes. Meet RAM -- Remote Area Medical -- a charity founded to bring basic health care: vision, dental, and mammograms, for example, to remote parts of the world. What remote areas are they working in now? Try Knoxville, Tenn.
So, who comes to RAM? The uninsured, yes, but the underinsured are in line as well. Like Marty Tankersley. He drove 200 miles to have a tooth pulled because he'd been in pain for weeks and couldn't afford to see the dentist. Marty has also had two heart attacks and no follow-up care, because it's just too expensive.
The Tankersleys live in Dalton, Ga., and fall into the underinsured category. Marty's a truck driver and has major medical insurance through his employer. But the deductible is $500, really unaffordable. And the dental insurance costs too much.
No one really knows how many Americans are underinsured like the Tankersleys.
"He's the lucky one he could drive the 200 miles. He's the lucky one who got to see people today and get hooked in. There are tens of hundreds of thousands of people like him," Isaacs [a volunteer and an internal medicine specialist at the University of Virginia] said.
U.S. Health Care Gets Boost From Charity [60 Minutes]
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People who reject the idea that "government has a responsibility to reduce income inequality" give an average of four times more than people who accept that proposition.
I would love to see more lower cost direct options for basic health care. It seems the more you involve insurance companies and huge for profit systems the higher the price of care goes.
I have always wondered if it would work for a group of people to basically buy a doctor in some sort of coop fashion where you paid an annual fee and that went towards the doctor salary, small office and basic equipment.
Makes sense to me. i can't imagine a place more remote than Knoxville Tennessee.
I'm more about rejecting the idea that the government has a responsibility to INCREASE it.
For those who don't have time to read the whole aticle. RAM is pretty amazing.
"RAM operates on a shoestring budget of about $250,000 a year. Yet, last year, it treated 17,000 patients."
Per 60 Minutes, since they originally ran the story in early March, RAM has received more than $2.5 million in donations. Good to see an effective, positive use for television journalism.
Great! I hope someone sends this to HappyNews.com
Gotta love your charitable giving "study" by moustache expert John Stossel.
Assuming his experiment was even well controlled (it's not) --you know why San Franciscans don't give to the Salvation Army? Because they're high overhead, homophobic, and have a history of religious indoctrination. There are a lot better charities out there; why would liberals give to a particular charity just because they're in Christmas movies?
Even his overall giving statistics are completely flawed, because 55% of all American giving is to churches, and (1) a lot of that are basically compulsory dues payments, like Mormon tithing; and (2) most of that goes to church overhead and maintenance. Take that away, and it liberals are far more generous to people and institutions who actually need help.
@TechnoDestructo: Sure it should. It's pretty simple. It's not in the constitution that the government provides it. You are responsible for your own health costs, whether you go towards insurance, or pay out of pocket. If you're into Entitlement, you're in the wrong place.
Thankfully for some unfortunates, there are generous people out there who are willing to help out with their time and money.
@theodicey: Okay, show me some links? Nothing wrong with critiquing my citations, but provide some of your own.
and arguably most funds that end up in churches hands are funneled into religious self promotion, operations, and salaries. When ever they do dole out a benefit, it's usually to try to make converts and PR.
This is sad. It takes a charity with a "shoestring budget" to give health care to thousands of uninsured people, when a Government with billions to waste decide to use it on something else.
Bravo RAM. Now begin the onslaught of hatred for their push of communist, er socialized health care.
@ironchef: That's beside the point. That's true for most organizations. Every worthwhile organization has an "Executive," and that person often makes 6 figures.
I am looking at individuals. If I donate $100 dollars to RAM, I am doing my part. Obviously everyone wants their money to ultimately make it to people who need it. But in reality, there are real life costs. The people who work these jobs have bills too.
@ironchef: To further my point:
* Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, was paid $468,599 in salary and benefits in fiscal 2003. (Source: BBB Wise Giving Alliance)
* Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way, was paid $432,709 in salary and benefits in fiscal 2003. (Source: Charity Navigator)
* W. Todd Bassett, National Commander of the Salvation Army, was paid (along with his wife, who also works for the organization) $94,091 in salary and benefits in 2003 (including house and car). (Source: Fayetteville Observer)
It's not in the constitution that the government is to provide schools either. Or roads. Or parks.
I see health care as something similar to schools. The whole of us does better when the mass of us are educated/healthy.
I take back the roads part... as they were established for postal reasons.
@failurate: Nicely said.
Great positive here - "Since we first broadcast this story, Remote Area Medical has received close to $2.5 million in donations from 60 Minutes viewers"
But the positive shouldn't be about Donated medical care.
Sad. This shouldn't be happening in America. Or anywhere, really, but especially here.
I'm all for personal responsibility. But, people shouldn't be held personally responsible for not having the necessities that are unattainable to them. A $500 deductible for something you're expected to draw from regularly, for things often out of your own control, is asinine and punitive.
I was just at my doctors office 2 hours ago... the staff was telling a 50ish woman checking out that she needed to go to the ER to get treated, and she was crying saying she couldn't afford it. She was telling the staff she was already deep in medical bills. I left there feeling depressed. This health care system is just awful.
@theodicey: I don't consider giving to a Church to be a charitable contribution unless it is going specifically to some sort of charity work with the general public. Private health clubs in a church do not fly as charity, at least not with me.
I quit giving to the Salvation Army years ago for the same reasons Theodicey stated. I would rather give to something more direct and less bigoted.
@battra92: See, this is all that guys like me want....to at least have conservatives acknowledge that there is a flaw in the system, rather than saying "Can't afford it? Too bad!! lololol!!"
Once we get everyone on the same page, we can work towards a solution.
@timmus: There was a hospital in Chicago that was having people jailed for not paying their bills. The people in the story didn't have the funds.
Most of the small claims and civil litigation in my state is hospitals going after people who can't pay their medical bills.
Wow, that Stan Brock is a total badass. Basically the crocodile hunter of his time, then flying around the world organizing free health care. Receiving no salary, having no permanent home, and taking showers from a hose in his 70s? That shows some extraordinary resolve.
I grew up in Knoxville, TN, but I'd imagine that there are hundreds of working poor communities in the US that could benefit from this service.
It's amazing what this group does. What this group can do should kick the USA health care industry in the ass. I can understand people making a living but it's crazy what medical care can cost a typical American.
Marty Tankersley can afford to drive 200 miles (400 round-trip?), but can't afford a tooth pulled with insurance?
There was a president that said that where the government fails, their fellow man is more than happy to carry the load. I forget to said it but it's true.
It shouldn't be the government job to feed and cloth you. Private organizations have proven to be more effective than government organizations. That's why there is so much contracting work!
On the other hand, why is healthcare so expensive? I have a feeling that it's a "well, they'll pay it because they don't want to die" kind of mentality.
Interesting timing. In small biz, everyone wears multiple hats so in addition to the day job I'm also in charge of benefits for my little company.
Our health insurance coverage renewal date is tomorrow.
Until today, our company used to provide the "best" aka most expensive national coverage PPO plan available to all employees and paid all of the monthly costs. It just felt like the right thing to do for everyone.
However, our 2008 renewal rate quote was more than 30% higher than what we'd been paying in 2007.
Because of that, the company owners/founders are switching down from the PPO into a regional HMO plan. We are also moving the employees into a PPO that is cheaper on a monthly basis because the employee copay fees and deductible are higher.
So from a business owner perspective we are treading water -- paying the same amount of $$ in 2008 for lesser benefits all around. This is probably only the beginning as healthcare ain't getting cheaper ...
The idea of a "boutique doctor" is, apparently, not a new one. Some months ago, I received a letter from my primary doc that he was leaving his present office, and that, for about a $15,000 payment, I could become one of his patients - one who would have access 24/7, no wait appointments, etc., etc. If I had a spouse who wanted to join with me, that would run an additional $7,500. I have also heard from friends that they've heard of this sort of thing, too. Certainly, if a bunch of people could get together and get themselves one of these "boutique doctors," at a reasonable fee, I might consider joining. As it is now, I'm going to have to find a replacement doc. Yes, I know, easier said than done.
@timmus: You should have told her to go to the ER and say she was in the country illegally. They would have to treat her then. The only people turned away from the ER are actual Americans.
Wow, if only those guys could have access to that top-notch socialized health care that Tony Snow had, and all past and present Congressmen will have until death and our shiny, clever, and just darned handsome current President.
I'm especially gratified that our President and his party want for us what they have for themselves. Which only makes sense because, y'know, they're working for us. They wouldn't want to be, y'know, hypocritical or anything. Nope, not them. Nuh-uh.
@chrisdag: My small business just move to an HSA. In a nutshell, for family coverage, I have a $3,000 flat deductible, with 100% covered after that first deductible. This plan is good for catastrophic coverage, but it is absolutely asinine for preventive care. Before, I had a $20 copay and drug benefits. Now I have to pay out 3 grand before I see any benefits. And what is the premium for this privilege? 600 FUCKING DOLLARS A MONTH. which means I have to pay almost $10,000 in medical costs before I see ANY BENEFIT WHATSOEVER. Apparently, all healthcare is moving toward this. What really irks me is the premium. Fortunately, my wife started a job working for the state, so she and my son are going onto her plan. My premium will then be free (for now) with only a $1,500 deductible. But unless I'm am unable to stand, I am not going to the doctor. thanks, BCBS.
There is a need.
The market is not meeting it.
Stop trying to dance around it.
(Not that health care is really a free market anyway)
@mthrndr:
Yes but you own the money that you save in your HSA and you get a tax break. Don't you feel better now?
@SadSam: nope, not this year. that starts january 1. I'm out of friggin pocket until then. fingers crossed, hoping that I stay healthy till then.
@linus: If people are getting nailed because of the "well they'll pay for it because they don't want to die" mentality, then no....private organizations are not being very effective (in this case).
There's a serious difference between a nonprofit or NGO paying an executive a high salary (to recruit talent, reward fundraising, etc.) and a church spending money on non-philanthropic works: One is done to fulfill the mission of the charity; the other is diverting money for a completely different mission.
Besides, you list only a few Execs - whose information is largely available to the public and who are accountable to their Boards. That's something that most churches bend over backwards to prevent. Most churches don't let Guidestar or similar organizations look at their books.
Sorry, but church giving does not necessarily equal charitable giving.
It occurred to me the other day that if something were to happen to me, I do not have enough money at current to even see a doctor for treatment. That's scary.
I moved to the U.S. a few months ago from Canada. I didn't realize until now how much I took the Canadian healthcare system for granted before.
I do take care of myself and I am working to find a job with insurance but as many can attest to, that's an uphill battle.
I grew up in a rural town about 90 miles from Knoxville, so these people were very familiar to me. My mom was a struggling single mom, but at least she worked for a company that had decent insurance for her and her two kids. If she was trying to make it today, we would have probably been camped out in that freaking line.
I've just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer (scary, but one of the most survivable), and I can't thank my lucky stars enough that I have excellent health insurance. I work for a medical humanitarian organization that operates internationally, but also believes that their employees have a right to health care. They pay for the entire premium (I don't contribute anything), and I only have to pay my co-pay of $25 per office visit. So basically, I will come out the other side of biopsy, surgery, radiation, and follow-up care, having payed a couple of hundred dollars.
It's luck really, two years ago I was layed off, and out of work for five months. I rolled the dice and didn't take COBRA. Now, my life choices are limited by the fact I can never be uninsured again.
This country is seriously fucked up.
Anyone else jealous of a $500 deductible?
@SpookyOoky: That's entirely untrue, no one that presents to an Emergency Department can be turned away for reasons of race, sex, citizenship, ability to pay, or almost anything else. If you know of anyone that has been turned away, I assure you other matters motivated their expulsion, not their citizenship.
To the rest, I have been involved with the organization, it is truly an astounding accomplishment, and the growth of the organization will be ever more impressive as more care is offered.
What should be remembered, however, is that this is not necessarily a monetary access issue. These people are often not just too poor for their care. They are too poor to be able to travel to the nearest doctor or specialized facility. Many of the services that RAM provides are preventive, they're the annual physicals, dental visits, lab work and mammograms that the rest of us can just get into our car and attend. By bringing such services to a "Remote Area," where it might be a several hours drive to the nearest mammogram center, they're filling a geographic need as much as a financial need.
The 60 Minute piece is great, and the attention that RAM is receiving here and elsewhere is well deserved. But the focus of the story should be less about the underinsured and more about the underserved. It makes no difference how good your insurance is if the nearest doctor is 100 miles away.
@MzHartz: I'm with you.
See, everyone? The Free Market will provide!