http://www.redrocknews.com/peace_walk_2_6.htmJonathon Meier who recently came through my town on the Steps for Peace Walk is a very special young man. He and his friends, gave a lovely from the heart talk and never once did he mention that he is in need of our help...so here is the story and if you can find it in your heart or checkbook to help, you'll be helping a really incredible young man!
Peace & hope
DR
As you know, Jonathan came back to Iowa to caucus for Dennis. He went back to rejoin Amy in New Mexico on the 20th. The following Friday, after vomiting all day long, he was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Sante Fe.
He was given IV fluids for three days while many diagnostic tests were done including a CT scan. He was finally released on Monday afternoon and resumed walking on Wednesday.
You can read Jonathan's perspective on all of this in the Steps for Peace Journal. What he won't tell you is the financial side of the story.
The attending physician, whose name I do not have, has told Jonathan that she would not bill him for the services she provided. We are very grateful for her kindness and generosity. The hospital has sent Jonathan a letter requesting $2,000 which is the deductible on his health insurance coverage.
This perfectly illustrates why Dennis is right and Dr. Dean and Sen. Kerry are wrong. Healthcare reform is NOT about insurance, it IS about healthcare. A person is actually better off in many cases with no insurance because without insurance they may qualify for various charitable sources of funds. The first question always asked is, "Do you have insurance?" A yes answer stops the interview.
If the only way to afford insurance is to accept annual deductibles of $2000-$5000 or even more, we really can't afford the insurance. At the same time, premiums of $120/mo for a healthy 21-year old male (who also happens to have no income) are unaffordable. We, his parents, have caused this problem for him by insisting on health insurance and paying the premium at the level we could afford. I truly believe he would have been better off relying, as a pilgim, on the generosity of God and God's people for absolutely everything. Jonathan's faith dwarfs that of anyone I know.
If any of you would like to complete an act of faith by sending $1 or $5 to erase this blemish in what has otherwise been an awe-inspiring journey, please send it directly to
St. Vincents Hospital
Attn: Angie, Patient Financial Services
PO Box 2107
Santa Fe, NM 87504-9928
If you enclose a note to the effect that this is in partial payment for services rendered to Jonathan Meier, admitted on Jan 23, all should be well.
And PLEASE don't harbor any ill-will toward the hospital. They are caught in the beaurocratic web of healthcare insurance just like the rest of us.
I'm sorry to be posting this, but I have learned that needs acknowledged are needs fulfilled. Jonathan is a wonderful teacher.
_________________
Michael P Meier
Proud to be
Jonathan's dad