Stirring Response About Health Reform

In the April issue of Southern California Physician, Dr. Ralph Di Libero's President's Letter showed deep concern and profound expertise on healthcare reform.

I found myself agreeing with much of what he wrote. I do, however, respectfully disagree with his opposition to "our government pay[ing] for total healthcare for each and every resident."

Contrary to his point that such a system would quickly bankrupt the government, under a single state insurer (as in SB 840 sponsored by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl and  others), government financing would be held in a trust fund and a cap would be placed on ever-rising costs.

I think "a person's pride in personal responsibility" would not be insulted since no such thing has happened with Social Security. And even if it were insulting for some, the dreadful and rising impact of personal bankruptcies due to lack of insurance impacts personal pride much more. The vast majority of Californians and Americans would gladly sacrifice a little pride for health security given how things are going these days.

As Dr. Di Libero stated, people should know exactly how much their healthcare costs, and the best way to have this occur is for everyone to pay their health insurance premium every April 15. The market will never control costs and will never provide universal coverage. We physicians have to stop deluding ourselves about this and get on board now with the concept of a single insurer. Under a single state or national insurer, physicians would have an official and powerful seat at the table and would be able to secure fair compensation as well as protect quality of care.

Instead of being on the wrong side of history, organized medicine could have a major constructive impact on crafting such legislation and helping it move through the legislative process.

Steve Tarzynski, MD, MPH
Pediatrics
Los Angeles


Creating New Vision 65 Years Later
Earlier this year, Southern California Physician invited readers to submit their inspiring stories about patients and the practice of medicine. Carl Chapin's story certainly fits that description.

Carl, 71, was blind in his right eye since 1941, when a glass bottle cut the eye half open and destroyed the vision. In the following years, he went to see many, many eye doctors, always getting the same depressing answer: "The eye is blind and will never see again." Carl had resigned himself to living life as a one-eyed man, yet he stayed awake nights wondering how he would manage if he ever lost his good eye.

Sixty-five years later, a friend told Carl about my practice and my use of advanced technology at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora. The friend cajoled Carl to come in--at least to get a second opinion (more like a 22nd opinion).

I was very conservative and said it looked pretty hopeless, but if Carl was willing to try, I would give it my best shot. Using some sophisticated tests that no one had ever performed on him before, corneal topography showed the scar tissue could be corrected and a PAM test showed a capacity for about 20/60 vision--if all went well during surgery. Carl lit up with hope and said, "Let's do it today!"

On Sept. 12, 2006, after two hours of intricate surgery, including removal of the injured cataract, a lens implant, removal of scar tissue, repair of the torn iris and correction of astigmatism, Carl went home with a patch on his eye. He lay awake most of the night again--this time praying for a miracle.

Carl arrived bright and early at my office the next morning, waiting impatiently to get his patch off. After I took the patch off, he looked around the room in disbelief. He kept closing his "good" eye to make sure he was not imagining this. The colors were so bright they dazzled him. His prayers had been answered. Tears of joy flowed freely as he gave me a grateful hug for restoring his sight 65 years later.

On Oct. 3, 2006, less than one month after surgery, Carl was seeing 20/30 with this eye.

Bud Kurwa, MD
Ophthalmology
Arcadia