Healthcare Values Seminar

The Healthcare Black Hole:
When Will You Fall In?

By Maureen Valvassori

On a recent Saturday afternoon, thirty participants marched through a day of coming to grips with our current national healthcare system and all it’s woes. This seminar, titled “A Community Dialogue”, was hosted by The Center for Ethics and Advocacy in Healthcare located in Northbrook, Illinois. The Center was chosen by Georgetown University Medical Center and The Center for Healthcare Reform largely due to the efforts of Sr. Margaret McDonnell. Her Center provides access and appropriate healthcare for all, while navigating the current healthcare system. “The work of The Center began ten years ago in the traditional role of advising ethics committees in hospitals and nursing homes,” explains Harvard educated Sister Margaret McDonnell, Director of the Center. “Now we can’t help but face the radical changes in healthcare nationwide. Medical costs continue to soar while many, from the most affluent to the working poor, face unemployment and lack of insurance. States McDonnell, “Insured or not, the issues impact all of us.”

This rang true for one seminar participant in particular. Mary, a long time North Shore resident, explained her personal healthcare nightmare at the day long seminar. After a lifetime of working in the criminal justice field, Mary’s husband was diagnosed with a progressive and debilitating neurological condition. Her husband unable to work, Mary’s family now faced ongoing and costly medical care without any health insurance. “I had no idea what we would have to endure as a family after my husband was diagnosed. There is no safety net in place for a family like mine. We are too young to qualify for Medicare and currently too well off to apply for Medicaid. At this point, we stand to lose everything.”

“Unfortunately, Mary’s healthcare nightmare is not that uncommon,” states McDonnell. “Currently, there are 45 million Americans who are underinsured and 45 million more with no insurance at all.”

“After what I learned today, I would urge anyone from healthcare professionals to private citizens to participate in the next seminar,” says attorney Beth Shay. “This seminar is a grass roots effort to engage the local community in conversation about our current healthcare crisis,” explains Shay, a seminar participant and a board member of The Center.

“It’s time for each of us to stand up and be heard,” adds Megan Meagher, Assistant Director for the Campaign for Better Health Care. “Illinois may be a forerunner in healthcare reform for the entire nation. It’s not going to happen from the top down. Healthcare reform will only change from the bottom up,” explains Meagher. “So speak up! Let your legislators know that healthcare for all is a crucial issue.”

For more information regarding the next seminar or your healthcare rights contact Sr. M. McDonnell.

Post-Seminar Online Forum

An online forum to continue the conversation which began at the Values Seminar. To access the Techny, Illinois Forum please call 847-509-9130 or email centerforethics@aol.com for the passcode.