O P IN IO N
4
The Paradoxical
AN APPEAL TO THOSE WHO OPPOSE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE
BY AUTUMN BEREND
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Medicaid is far more important
than you think. Let me tell you a
story why.
It was the Fourth of July in 2017 and
the weather was blisteringly warm, and
the sun was beating down upon m y back as I marched to
the bridge. Thoughts raced in m y head that would drive
anyone to the same path.
I could hear the cheers of those on the other side of th e
river eagerly waiting for the show of splendid firework art,
I looked down from the rail of the Hawthorne Bridge
and saw the water-was far too close. That wouldn’t even
break m y legs; I should know, I’ve jumped from piers into
a chocolate colored Texas lake as a child.
This was far from m y first attem pt at suicide and it
m ight not be the last, with life being so unpredictable.
After leaving the Hawthorne Bridge, I made the long and
arduous walk to the Burnside Bridge on the east side, ready
to take m y life.
A part o f m e, o f m inutesize, wanted the police boats to
drive by and notice m e, or wanted someone to stop me Or
ask if I was ok. It was like my body was outside m y Control,
a new persona had taken over.
I had been a regular caller for the Suicide hotline and I had
called after 30 minutes of contemplating, mostly because I
have a dreaded fear of dark and deep water. Little did I know
when I told them where I was they Sent the police since
I was inches from the act. M y hope was to be talked off.
I’m a very philosophical thinker who tries to adhere
to logic as much as possible, so m y hope was they would
change my view, but in the end I was once again transported,
in straps, to the hospital and eventually admitted into a
psychological h ospital ward at Providence St, Vincent
Medical Center near Cedar Hills.
I f I didn’t have Medicaid, using the
tax dollars o f others, I couldn’t
have paid for it and it would have
driven me to a certain death.
Between the severe depression, the apathy of most of my
emotions, schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder,
I can’t say I have an easy life, but none of this, m y life, my
job as Cditor-in-chief for the Clackamas Print, would be
possible without the help.
If I didn’t have Medicaid, using the tax dollars of others,
As of Aug. 2017, over 68.4 M illion individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, an increase of 16.4 Million oyer the
last four years. Medicaid acts as one of the largest payers for health insurance in the country, primarily
providing care to low-income people.
I couldn’t have paid for it and it would have driven me to
certain death.
I never told anyone about this save for m y mother and
grandparents, because I fear rejection, people walking on
eggshells, or vitriol for daring to use someone’s tax dollars
when I should pay for it myself.
I’m fiscally conservative with money but even I can see
the use of Medicaid has saved lives, including mine. It pays
for m y antipsychotics, piy antidepressants, and helped
keep me even alive.
I know m y story is weak compared to someone who
is undergoing chemotherapy, but what would President
Trump say if he lost all his money and he and First Lady
Melania Trump could not pay for their child’s safety? What
if sweet Barron were in my shoes? Would the President not
look to something like Medicaid to help pay for the things
that will keep his child, that I know he loves dearly, alive?
I’m positive it would be an option.
I know I will not change the President’s mind on the topic
or why Medicaid is important or health care in general, but
w hen he wants to spend money on a military that already
has more money than our allies all for a possible arms race
with China and Russia, who are working on their Navy and
Air Force, or wanting to build a wall that will work like the
Berlin W all, but less effective— you can simply swim, fly
or crawl unâer— I cannot help but question his reasoning,
as with some o f the other politicians on Capitol Hill.
Yes, tax dollars are used, but they help people and keep
some of us, who cannot afford it, alive. W hy is it ok to use
tax money in ways that not everyone agréés with, such as
to potentially blow up civilians, to fund doomed military
missions and to build an ineffective wall when the first
goal should be helping our citizens?
W hat, I inquire, about the pro-life people? Do they only
care about a fetus or do they stand against war as well?
If President Trump cares about the people first, he should
show it. Like Basic Rights Oregon, I support the Medicaid
expansion and I hope you do too.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact one of these resources:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-8255
Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255, press 1
Clackamas Print — --------------------- ----------------- ;_ ______
The Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Youth);
1-866-488-7386
theclackam asprint.net
Clackamas County Crisis Line:
503-655-8585
----------- ---------------------------------- . NOVEMBER 8, 2017