FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Joseph S. Andresen, MD Editor, The Bulletin
Politicians Should Listen to the Physician Leaders By Joseph Andresen, MD Editor, The Bulletin We are on the verge of a government shut down as I write these words. In just a few hours an estimated 785,000 non-essential federal workers will be furloughed. Rangers will lock the gates to our national parks. If you are applying for an FHA home loan or passport, expect a wait. Of course, if this standoff continues, these inconveniences will turn into major headaches to our weak and slowly recovering economy. Some Congressional leaders believe that everything must be done to stop “Obamacare,” claiming it to be an unconstitutional overreach of government, destined to wreck our economy and take away jobs. Proponents of the new Affordable Care Act (ACA) see it quite differently. The goals of providing every American with affordable health care insurance, no longer excluding many with pre-existing conditions, and an emphasis on preventative services has the potential to be a landmark achievement. It is easy to forget that medical bills have been a leading cause of personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures. Where is the public on all of this? Confused to say the least! A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 40% of the public didn’t know that the ACA has become law. Right now a majority of Americans surveyed don’t support implementation of the ACA. However, 11% of those who don’t support the ACA, do so because they don’t feel it goes far enough! As physicians, we certainly will be in the forefront of these changes with our patients as 2014 unfolds and the health care exchanges and other provisions are fully implemented. Let’s hope that our wisdom and guidance will prevail in making necessary improvements. Our politicians can learn much by listening to our physician leadership in the hard work and construc-
tive dialog we exemplify as we continue to work toward providing the highest quality and most affordable care to all our citizens. Moving on to a story closer to home, I recently had the opportunity to attend a World Affairs Council presentation in San Francisco. For some time, I’ve been intrigued with many of the topics presented and this nonprofit, nonpartisan forum for the public to hear firsthand from leading foreign policy and international relations experts to discuss and debate global issues. The International Forum Movie Night entitled “Open Heart” peaked my interest and was worth the drive up to the city despite the busy evening commute. Eric Talbert, Executive Director of Emergency USA presented a moving account of his organization’s success in supporting Salam Center, Africa’s only free-of-charge, state-of-the-art cardiac hospital which is located in the middle of the deserts of Sudan. Most of us think only of Africa’s many infectious disease challenges such as malaria, HIV and cholera. However as I learned, there are millions of children and young adults suffering from rheumatic heart disease. One hundred years
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ago, it was the number one killer of American children. The story of eight Rwandan children was told in the screening of the academy award nominated documentary, “Open Heart” http:// vimeo.com/47069120). It’s a compelling story of the resilience of these children and incredible dedication of the physicians and staff that support them through their treatment, recovery and return home. The film will be shown on HBO later this month and I hope you will be as inspired as I was in watching it. Eric Talbert is based in San Francisco and welcomes questions, comments and support from our medical community (info@emergencyusa.org).
Joseph S. Andresen, MD, is the editor of The Bulletin. He is board certified in anesthesiology and is currently practicing in the Santa Clara Valley area.