An Open Letter to Every Health Care Provider Who Treats the Uninsured Poor in America

[Aristus]

1. There have been two occasions since I started working in healthcare for the homeless

in which a patient presented for the health care that is covered under our clinic's grant, and expressed disdain for 'government handouts'. And a few more than that who initially refused to register for the ACA because they saw it as "Obama's socialist program".

These patients of mine were not part of my chronically homeless population, but instead were middle or working class people who had been hit hard by the depression of 2008. They didn't see themselves as 'homeless', even though they lived on the streets, or usually, in the local shelter. Homelessness was for 'other people', people who were not like them.

I refrained from pointing out to them that they were benefitting from the free medical care the clinic provided. I treated their medical problem, and told them I would be here for their medical needs for as long as they were on the streets.

I wanted to tell them that they were a lot more like the typical homeless person than the stereotype (dirty, bedraggled, addicted to alcohol and/or drugs, mentally ill, etc.) would suggest. Perhaps only 5% of my patient population fits that stereotype. Most of my patient present for their appointments clean, well-dressed, sober, polite, and taking time off from work (yes, work) for their visit.

I wish I could get a few self-righteous, middle or working class conservative Republicans to follow me around for a day of clinic. If they knew how close they actually are to a life on the streets, they'd stop voting for these nasty, mean-spirited, selfish Ayn Rand worshippers...