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Politics : Did Slick Boink Monica? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jack Clarke who wrote (8666)	2/27/1998 9:28:00 AM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 20981

OFF TOPIC- and SERIOUS-so Boinkers may skip Jack, as you know-I keep up with your posts--and just wanted to balance the view that was set forth by Christine that the goal of deinstitutionalization was to "get most mentally ill and severely retarded people out of state hospitals. Sadly, the promised community care never materialized, and these people ended up treated very badly, many of them on the streets." I agree that in many cases the ultimate results of deinstitutionalization were negative, but I was a Social Service Worker and was in charge of this program in our department in the late seventies. Conceptually, the idea had some merit--there were people who had been hospitalized for years who were-with a great deal of support-capable of living outside. The goal was not to get "most" out, nor was it to send into the world those completely incapable of some self-care and support. Like all large government programs with good intentions, it was doomed to failure because of inadequate funding and resources and certainly because of greed when the cost savings potential was recognized. I was lucky enough to work in a small community and serve on the board which coordinated the support effort. It included representatives from MHMR (mental health and mental retardation), the Health Dept, the sheltered workshop, and Social Services. Together we evaluated, placed and tracked the individuals who were released. Some placements were successful; others weren't. Because of our size, we were able to actually carry out the program as it was intended. Also, our community was one in which doctors and other professionals were willing to give of their time and their care, and we all knew and trusted each other. (It was, now that I'm older and wiser and have seen more, a wonderful place to live and work!) However, all of us already had full caseloads; the funding and state support was weak and limited. I can't imagine how metropolitan areas, already overworked and without the time and resources available, ever were able to handle this adequately. Sadly, it may have begun as another worthy idea that grew beyond its ability to succeed, but I refuse to be so cynical as to think it was only about money or that it was as ill-conceived as Christine made it sound. Many poor souls were forced out who shouldn't have been and the program, with interest and money waning, became a travesty of the original concept, but then so have ADC, Medicaid, Food Stamps and every other government program. Some of us tried to make it work, and occasionally succeeded, which to me says there was a need and a reason. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative--these are meaningless terms; an ideal, a program, all ultimately depend on the values and integrity and rationality(we forget that one) of the individuals responsible. We can only fight against our own corruption. (Sorry-I guess I have hot buttons too)

To: Jack Clarke who wrote (8666)	2/27/1998 2:04:00 PM
From: Zoltan!	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 20981

>>Politics and greed have taken over Medicine. I have long felt that medical insurance, with the exception of major medical for catastrophic illness, should be outlawed as against public policy. Economic studies has shown that every 3rd party payer system leads to massive bureaucracies plus skyrocketing costs, inferior service or most likely, both. That's why Forbes' medical savings account program makes so much sense for the majority, people have an incentive to buy medical services with an eye on cost/benefit since they can pocket the savings.