So...think about this in the form of a math equation...
If A = B, Then A = C.
So If given that had my brother had health insurance he would likely still be alive today....then had health care been universal my brother would still be alive today.
This is the thought that has been weighing on me.
Today is my brother's birthday. Three days from now he will have been dead for 2 years.
Health insurance was a huge part of his demise.
That and bad eating habits, not enough sleep, too much smoking, and stress.
But here is the deal....
He had to go back to driving for others as he and his wife hit bad financial times.
He developed an umbilical hernia which caused him to not to be able to drive for the one company.
He could not get it fixed as he had no insurance and no money.
He was under an amazing amount of stress during this time and was finally able to get work hauling for someone else.
But it was too late.
However, if he had had regular access to medical care, preventative care, and corrective care, would he still be alive?
Blood pressure, cholesterol, routine blood work....access to this type of care would have probably extended his life.
Being able to have the hernia corrected would have helped relive the stress.
I think the answer to this is yes.
I think it is likely that he would still be alive had he had access to regular health care.
Would it be worth it to me to pay a nominal amount to grant access to health care for him?
Yes.
Will it matter to him now?
No.
Will it matter to you, your neighbor, his brother, your child, now?
Yes.
Is it worth it to me now?
Yes.
Richard, I miss you.