Comments on Neil Calman MD: Who will Represent America’s Poor as We Move Towar...

Dr. Calman, I have a unique window into the suffer...

2009-06-20T14:09:59.694-04:00

Dr. Calman, I have a unique window into the suffering of the poor and the type of treatment afforded them - not in all cases, but in many instances in the United States. Because of a protracted job search in my field of journalism, one that has included interviews with top companies in Manhattan, my health has suffered. After Dr. T died I lost my insurance. When I reinstated it, they put a 1-yr rider on my spine and neck, the very body parts that needed care (I fell down a flight of stairs 3 days before Dr. Tamarin passed.) I then found I was eligible for state-sponsored insurance called SAGA here in CT. I am happy for that. What I am unhappy with is the stigma that some (not all) people toss my way, the fact that I am limited to who I can see and can't see. Meanwhile, my expensive health insurance policy is running my poor father $450/month. It's a policy that will not even cover my aching back until January.

I would be happy to write more letters on behalf of the indigent and even the middle-class strugglers like myself, those lost in the mix of a twisted, selfish healthcare system that I for one refuse to be part of for more than another year or so. I refuse to grow old in this country as it stands today.

Life is so much more liveable in places like France, where doctors come to your home and where people aren't choosing between doctor's visits and groceries.

Write me, Dr. Calman, if you can use my communication skills in any way.

I miss Dr Tamarin every day. I sometimes breathe deeply when I am afraid, when I feel I haven't found the right doctor and am alone.

Best,

Laurie Wiegler
lauriewiegler@gmail.com

I'll chime in with Josh to say that your keynote/i...

2009-04-30T16:21:00.000-04:00

I'll chime in with Josh to say that your keynote/interview with Susan Dentzer was a highlight of the "Health 2.0 Meets Information Therapy" conference. As I wrote on e-patients.net I would read the transcript or watch the video of your remarks again any day of the week.

For example, I was interested to hear that both your inner-city and rural practice has been paperless since 2002 and 80% of patients in your Bronx clinic are connected, either via mobile devices or computers. The Pew Internet Project has data to share on that score, but I like hearing "on the ground" observations, too.

Neil, you're absolutely right. And your comments ...

2009-04-29T16:02:00.000-04:00

Neil, you're absolutely right. And your comments on this subject that the "Health 2.0 Meets Information Therapy" Conference last week made a lot of people think. I mentioned this in conference reflections at http://ixcenterblog.org/archives/691.

Thanks for keeping us all focused on these critical issues.

Josh Seidman
President, Center for Information Therapy