My dream for the Future

I just had a dream that we (as the people of the United States) were making a 4 trillion dollar investment in our future and creating jobs by increasing spending on infrastructure projects and education. How would we pay for it? By going back to Clinton era tax rates, closing corporate tax loopholes, and pushing individual and corporate civic responsibility campaign. Remember the whole, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," and taking care of your neighbor?

LGBT Healthcare

It is important to know your patients. It is important that they feel comfortable enough to tell you everything relevant to their health history. This is a quote from Dan Savage, co-founder of the It Gets Better project.

The first adult authority figure that I came out to who wasn't a member of my family: my pediatrician. I'd been seeing him since I was a child and he was still my doctor. After my third or fourth visit about "a small skin blemish," he asked me what I was really worried about. I remember what I said to him: "I'm gay and I don't want to have AIDS." I don't remember what he said to me, but I'll never forget the look on his face. It was this combination of pity, panic, disappointment, and judgement. I never saw him again.

This is unacceptable. This encounter occurred in 1981, at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, and attitudes have mostly changed since then. Nevertheless, queer people still feel uncomfortable going to the doctor. New York City Health Department has put together a video to help train physicians on the importance of understanding sexual orientation and gender identity, how these identities affect the health of those people who claim them, and how important it is to help these under-served populations feel comfortable to seek the healthcare they need.



This video helps to put a human face on LGBT people. I think everyone should watch it.

House Votes to Withhold Education from Medical Students

How far will the right-wing go? This makes me burn with rage. An amendment to a funding bill for the health care law signed last year was sponsored by arch-homophobe and now anti-medical Virginia Foxx (R-SC). The amendment states that no federal funding will go to any medical school that teaches abortion procedures to its students. It passed with bipartisan support, 234-182.

I have several problems with this. First of all, what the hell?! Abortion is legal, and it should be. Regardless of how one may feel about the morality or ethics of abortion, there will always be women who have them performed, whether in a back alley, someone's home, a clinic or doctor's office. As someone who actually respects life, especially of someone who is already living, I would prefer that these women see someone who is competent in their skills, so there are as little complications as possible and they may receive the support they require/want without fear of being arrested or the stigma of having one performed. Second, some abortions aren't really a choice. Sometimes babies need to be aborted to save the life of the mother. Should a woman be required to carry a baby to term when said baby was conceived during a rape? What if the baby's father was a close-blood relative of the mother, like her father, uncle, or brother? I feel like the 'respect for life' movement has jumped the ship named Sane Discourse, and is swimming to shore, hoping to make it to Crazy Town, USA. Third, I thought that republicans were all about less regulation and control and more freedom. How does this amendment allow for more freedom? Will this attachment create a better, more competent, compassionate medical field? No. Third, if you want to decrease the amount of abortions performed in the country, and the world, research has shown that proper comprehensive sex education needs to be implemented. Counseling should be provided for those women who are considering an abortion, and rhetoric should be toned down. If you are really 'pro-life,' then you should practice being pro-life for everyone. Oh, and get ready to adopt a bunch of babies.

The abortion debate is so complex and nasty. It sickens me that I have even felt the need to put in my two cents. However, when the culture wars start meddling in my professional life, I won't take it sitting down.

P.S. A book was recommended to me, Killing Rage, by Bell Hooks. It is my understanding that it suggests constructive ways to deal with rage. It might be helpful for those who feel so strongly about this issue.

Beginning

I am starting a wonderful new beginning. After moving from the midwest to Boston several years ago for graduate school, I will soon be making another leap. Yes, I made it into medical school (at last!) and will be continuing my education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton campus. Medicine is a huge interest of mine and helping others increase their wellness has been a career goal since I was in high school. I have found that many of my interests overlap as they all have something to do with wellness; health, economics, sociology, philosophy, education, law, politics, science, civil rights... I admire constructive dialogue in all these arenas (and many more) and hope to take part in many discussions and this is why I have started this blog.

This is a learning experience for me. Let's get started!