Right now, as we speak, hundreds, if not thousands of calls are flooding into Senate and Congressional offices about of all things, ”ObamaCare” or, as most professionals know it, The Affordable Care Act (ACA). Even though it’s been 3 ½ years since the ACA was passed by the House of Representatives, passed again by the Senate, signed into law by the President of the Unites States and then upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States - some still insist it is unconstitutional. And they are so insistent that the House, Senate, President and Supreme Court are wrong that they are willing to shut down the entire federal government and default on all of our bills just to…well, I don’t know what – if the government is shut down and we default on our bills, it doesn’t change the Constitutionality of ObamaCare so what is the point other than punishment for re-electing the president?
I’ve been one of those angry callers before - many times actually. I’m ticked off that they are wasting our time and our money still debating a law that is over 3 years old when unemployment in Weakley County is 14%. I’m incensed that our state reps enjoy lavish health insurance at taxpayer expense while they vote to destroy what little remains of the health care system in rural communities. I’m infuriated that they have such disregard for human life that they’d prefer a data analyst decide if my father is worthy of cancer treatment instead of his doctor. And, I’m not going to talk about any of that anger.
I had a very different article in mind before I went to church on Sunday morning, but here goes, my first attempt at public prayer in the newspaper.
Dear Lord, I was reminded this weekend, that you love Republicans as much as you love Democrats. My pastor quoted Timothy and said that no matter how hard it is, we must love and pray for our leaders, especially the ones with whom we disagree. I usually keep my faith close to the vest, it’s one of the few things I do not discuss in public. So forgive me if its not eloquent, but know it’s as true and from my heart as any word I have ever spoken.
I pray for the 3,000 people who stood in line in the middle of a heat wave in Martin, TN just to get access to a doctor.
I pray for the men and women of the Air National Guard and Naval Reserve who worked tirelessly to provide free health care as part of the Innovative Readiness Training program this summer.
God, a big burly Sergeant told me he never would have guessed so many people would be so grateful to have teeth pulled without anesthesia. I pray that their pain was worth it and their ailments are healed.
I pray for Congressman Stephen Fincher – who was busy that day voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but sent a representative named Heather. I pray for Heather, and pray that she gained valuable wisdom by paying witness to the pain and suffering of our neighbors right here in Weakley County. I pray that her boss will share her report about the event with the public so we can all learn from his Congressional insight. I pray that no member of Congressman Fincher’s family or his staff’s families ever has to endure the pain that so many people felt that day.
I pray for a woman named Jennifer who represented Senator Corker’s office – he too was busy during those 2 weeks in July. I pray that she was able to communicate the gravity of the situation to her boss. Senator Corker has witnessed the health care crisis in Haiti, I’m certain if he just understood how bad it really is, he would have come.
When those 100+ National Guard volunteers came streaming into Martin, TN, they ignored the heat wave, they unloaded equipment with the efficiency of the finest military in the world. They set up an on-site manufacturing facility that made eyeglasses. One man, who appeared to be in his 50’s, had never had an eye exam before that day, ever. I pray for him and please – don’t let those glasses get lost.
I pray for Sargent Dunlop, he had the unfortunate position of looking at 400 people lined up for the 40 appointment spots every morning. He knew which ones camped out all night in line – and didn’t let anyone cut. He said he’s not supposed “to let feelings get in the way,” but he’s human. He told me, “I knew it was bad out there – but not this bad, not here in our own country. This is like a th… uh, it’s comparable to overseas.” I pray that he doesn’t always push his feelings aside, but I know you’ve already taken care of him, I could see it in his eyes. Turning away suffering Americans when you know good and well what they need wears on a man’s soul too much to hide, even from a stranger.
I pray for Senator Alexander, and for the staffer he sent – he too was busy and unable to meet Navy Commander Laura Greiman, the Navy Dietitian who beamed with pride when she spoke of the folks who sought her out for advice – over 100 of them – more than usual she said. They don’t have a doctor, and probably never will, so they took matters into their own hands and learned what they could about controlling Diabetes through diet from the library or television and when they found out she was there they eagerly absorbed everything they could – from how to cook chicken so it’s healthy and tasty (freeze it in a low sodium marinade!) to exactly how many calories they get from soda a day (1,700 in a day). Lord, I pray that they continue to seek to help themselves through knowledge.
I pray that the temptation of cheap self-remedies can be avoided. Dear God, one woman was eating some sort of pet product, clearly marked “not for human consumption” because she “heard it would help.” Watch over her.
Lord, I pray for Governor Haslam, no one from his office was able to see the “Hope Village” set up by the wonderful men and women of the Naval Reserve, Air National Guard and active duty Navy and Army personnel. He didn’t get to meet the good people from the Hope of Martin Organization that planned the event for over 3 years. He didn’t get to hear the Colonel’s opening statement and his apology that the health clinic wasn’t fully staffed because of the sequester. But, the governor came out this way a few weeks later to promote his “Healthier Tennessee” health and wellness initiative – so I know he cares. He even commented that Tennessee is one of the least healthy states in our country with higher rates of high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and heart disease and encouraged Tennesseans to eat more fruits and vegetables. I wish he had been here to meet Commander Greiman and the folks she taught about healthy eating; it would have touched him.
There’s more, God, now I’m on a roll! I pray for State Senator John Stevens, accounts are that he came to Martin and saw the Hope Village first hand. I know he is changed; there is no way he can’t be. And - I pray for State Representative Andy Holt. – there’s no hiding from you God, that I’m no fan of his, but our representative had to take a trip to the emergency room earlier this year – the radio said it turned out he had the flu – but any trip to the ER is nerve-wracking; so I’m sure he can relate to the fear felt by so many of the patients that came to the Hope Village. I pray that he finds the time to reflect on why he didn’t come to thank the military volunteers for their service to his community.
Finally, I pray to you for all rural Americans. I know I should pray for the entire country – but I’m worried about those of us living in rural communities; I’m worried we’ll be forgotten about just like so many of the patients I saw that day. I pray that our hospitals stay open, I pray that CEO’s don’t give up on rural markets because we’re not insured or profitable. I pray that instead of laying people off from their jobs, we’d be able to find a way to hire even more doctors, nurses, dentists, and PA’s. I pray that we are not left behind. I pray that more people will experience the same joy that I feel when I think about my decision to move to Weakley County. And I pray that if they come, they bring their own health insurance, because remember the big burly Sergeant that I wrote of earlier? He wanted to compare us to the “third world” but he stopped himself – bless him for not wanting to insult me, but I, and everyone who lives here needs to hear his words. There is no guarantee that our hospitals, clinics and health centers will stay open – none at all. And then what happens to Weakley County? God, I pray that we can recognize that you do love Democrats and Republicans equally - and perhaps we should give it a try, too.
