Healing and Health Care for All

Since the dawn of human consciousness, it is likely that we human beings have turned to healers when sick or troubled in our minds. Through long prehistorical periods up to the present day, the healing arts and sciences have continued to develop, elaborate, fragment and be brought together again. In my own community, I know people who are dedicated conventional medical personnel, alternative healers using energy healing modalities, and those who bridge the body/mind/spirit divisions and whose very presence brings comfort.

Within my community are huge health care non-profit corporations which are big business for a relatively low-income area. Oddly, our medical/health care costs are high compared to other states and other parts of our state. But, we also have a free health clinic, started by a few dedicated people and staffed by hundreds of volunteers over several years.

I have a friend who received care from the free health clinic for years. Finally, her high blood pressure and diabetes destroyed her kidney function. Then she was able to get on medicare because she now had end-stage renal disease. At the time she was going to the free clinic, she was so grateful to it and to the doctors who volunteered their time. She and others would stand in line for hours, waiting for the clinic to open because there were so many people needing to be helped, and only a certain number could be admitted, first-come, first-served. Now, my friend goes to dialysis three days a week, and each time she goes, it takes about 3-4 hours. It can take a lot of time and energy to be ill. I am so glad she has more comprehensive health care available to her now, but so sorry she had to get to this point in order to receive it. I can't help that feel that if she had had good access 15 years ago, perhaps she would not now be "end-stage."

In my practice as a psychotherapist I listen to people who sometimes talk about their experiences with the medical health care system. Many of them speak of doctors and nurses who don't listen to them and don't pay attention to their reports of pain or other sensations that aren't "quite right." They feel disregarded and simply "pushed through the system." Others, who are nurses or doctors, talk about the pressures they experience. They are expected to see more and more patients in less time, while also learning more complicated ways of recording medical data, and keeping up with the latest medical advances.

How can all this be different? How can the focus become a focus on healing? Not a focus on medicine per se or on shaving off dollars from patient care so as to afford the latest in medical technology. How can all the various people involved become more respectful of each other, and more aware of how they are being perceived by others in encounters that could be healing encounters? How can those who in health care systems who are not involved in direct contact with patients know the consequences their decisions have for the patients their systems serve?

Jesus was a healer. His disciples were commissioned to go out and teach and heal also. Early Christians seemed to take for granted that they would engage in healing ministries and provide for the sick. The development of healing practices in the western world was based in spiritual communities. Both Christian and tribal cultures contributed knowledge and methods of providing healing. Many hospitals and clinics still have religious roots. Let's explore how these roots can be strengthened and the systems unbound from concerns for wealth.

How will we unbind each other from the strangling bonds of unhealthy habits, ill health, sickness, lack of access to health care and unhealthy systems of dollar-driven health care delivery? Over the next few days, I'll be looking for models, solutions and suggestions. Then I'll let you know what I find out.