Your Vote Could Save A Life

 By Cheryl Vaughn, UAW Local 602

Recently my baby sister, age 31, died. Presumably she died from complications following a typical outpatient procedure, a D&C.

 

In reality, Shawna died because she was poor. 

My sister lived in Arkansas with her husband, barely making it on a limited income. Her husband still does not know the cause of her death. Shawna went to lie down because her stomach did not feel right. At 7:00am she was alive; at 11:00am she was dead.

What happened? 

Her husband wanted answers and sought help, but was told “…we have no answers.” No money means no autopsy. No autopsy means no answers.

While attending my sister’s funeral, I began questioning Arkansas natives. The more I asked about medical care, the more depressed I became.  It seems the only folks who get quality care are those who have money. Does that mean the only lives that have value are those with money?  My sister’s life had great value—just ask the Hurricane Katrina victims she helped. Ask the church mission where she volunteered. Ask the friends and family who loved her.

It is a crime that this supposedly great nation of ours would allow this gift of life—this good, generous, loving young woman—to die because she did not have the money for quality medical care.

 

How many more of our sisters must die before we go to the polls and demand health care for all, not just those who can afford it?

 

Don’t just blame “the system,” change “the system.” Your vote could save a life.

 Addendum:

A D&C (dilatation and curettage) is a common, low-risk procedure used to diagnose or relieve a variety of feminine reproductive issues. Often performed as an out-patient procedure, side effects can include cramps, bleeding, or back pain. Though rare, risks can include infection, puncture of the uterus, laceration of the cervix, or scarring of the uterine lining.

Patients can resume normal activities as soon as they feel able, possibly even the same day. Pain is usually treated with medication such as aspirin.—condensed from the National Institute of Health website