This past week I have been especially saddened by the rhetoric and zeal regarding the defunding of Planned Parenthood and the passage of Virginia’s new regulations that will essentially close almost all abortion provider clinics.
But that isn’t really what I want to discuss, what I want to discuss is the overwhelming disconnect I see emanating from social conservatives. Let me say this, as strongly as I can, being pro-life does not end once you “stop” an abortion. For those that so passionately advocate on behalf of those poor innocent “unborn”, where, I ask, where is that same compassion for human beings once they take their first breath, not only at the beginning of their lives, but along the journey of life, until, in the end, we all must make our final peace and move through that last cycle of life, death.
Where are all these social conservatives when social workers, whose job is to save children and the elderly from abuse, are underfunded but overworked? Where are all these social conservatives when critical programs like head start, which feed America’s hungry children, are cut? Why does compassion seem to end upon birth? Why are so many of our elderly choosing between medicine or food?
Last week, when I took my little Rachael to the doctor, there was an elderly woman at the front desk so I sat down, waiting to pay my co-pay. An empty waiting room amplifies every word, and even though she spoke every so softly, it was impossible not to overhear her conversation with the receptonist, and it broke my heart.
From her gentle but halting voice, to her slight frame, everything about her seemed fragile to me. Probably in her early seventies, gray short whispy hair, slighty unkempt, framed her chiseled face. She explained to the receptionist that she had lost her job, along with her insurance, and that all she had was social security and medicare. Although she had applied for disability, she was waiting for approval. She asked the receptionist what help was out there for her, what changes had been made in medicare with the passage of the health care bill.
Her self- pay was fifty dollars, she asked several times , the same questions, what changes had been made to Medicare, what assistance was available to her. Patiently, the receptionist responded each time , with the same answer, “I will see what I can find out for her, not to worry”.
Finally, after several minutes, the elderly woman said she had to go “find the funds” to pay for her visit. Find the funds?! Where does one “find funds” I wondered. She left the office and I walked up to the receptionist, almost in tears. I told her that I was simply “heartbroken” by what I had overheard. I handed her my credit card and told her that if she could not find the funds, I wanted to pay. Then I thought, no, I wanted to pay even if she “found the funds”, which is exactly what I told the receptionist. She seemed so frail, she needed that fifty dollars more than me.
Shortly thereafter, while waiting to see the doctor with the kids, having left my credit card at the front desk, the receptionist returned, along with my credit card. She said the woman wanted to thank the anonymous person who had offered ” so kindly” offered to pay, but while she was able, she wanted to pay for herself.
So, I ask you, all you conservatives who defend the “rights” of the unborn, how do you defend the “rights” of those that are born, no matter what stage in they are in life? Being pro-life, in my opinion, requires a lifelong commitment, not just when its easy, not just when all one has to do bemoan all those lost “babies, but when have to put your money where your mouth is once the “unborn” are born.
Big Dog,
While I agree that funding like this is an investement in our society, and should be maintained if at all possible, the opinion piece does have a few holes in it. Could the rise in premature births also correlate to the fact that many women are waiting until later in life to have children? The older the mother, the higher the odds of a “premee”. Might there also be a correlation between the rise in obesity? I’ll agree that research dollars are needed to determine the causes, and funds needed for prevention programs, might the article be attacking a “symptom” instead of the “cause”?
@Elena
It sounds like this woman and her husband could be eligible for Medicaid and if their income is low enough, they may be able to get Medicare Part B premium covered along with cost of Part D of Medicare covered. Also may be eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Health Plan. Perhaps talk with Rosemari Walker at Area Agency on Aging 703-792-4156. Tell her suggested she talk with you.
HIPPA will prevent the physician’s office from telling you anything about the woman.
Elena, thank you for paying for the elderly woman. Your post made me cry. I hope I would have done the same thing.
In my humble opinion “pro-choice” goes both ways: Women have a right to limit their procreation via abortion, birth control, or sterilization. On the flip side, women also have the right to have as many children as they want to even if that means they may require help from the gov’t or charitable organizations. I know a woman with eleven children who in my opinion really needs to stop. But would I want laws to be enacted to make her stop? No. She’s well within her rights to have children just as any woman should be well within her rights to not have children. And if the gov’t wants to help her afford the children she has, why can’t the same gov’t help women who don’t want anymore children? Why not make birth control and sterilization procedures free to whomever wants it?
And yes, as a former Catholic I understand the entire life begins at conception argument. I do not however get the prescribed birth control equals abortion argument any more than I get the condom equals going against God’s will argument, and the self chosen sterilization equals sin argument. But hey that’s me.
@George S. Harris
@Elena
Elena, many thanks to George for recommending calling Rosemari…she is the Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP) person at the Area Agency on Aging.
And speaking as the City of Manassas Friendly Neighborhood Commissioner for Aging, I also recommend you pass along the number for the Information & Assistance (I&A) contact line. 703-792-6374. There are lots of programs/services under the Older Americans Act which this lady may be eligible for. Of course, feel free to give me a call as I am always happy to assist folks. I am easy to find – that old fashioned thing called the phone book..:-)
Thanks Raymond! Great information here from you and George, huge help.
You are so sweet Firedancer 🙂 Although this woman declined my offer, I have been getting some great information to pass along to the doctors office in order to help figure out how to help other people in her situation.