No - We Don't Need Universal Healthcare

But we don’t need Universal Health Care, do we?  Nope, people are so desperate that they are trying to rob convenience stores for life sustaining medication - insulin.  This happens in the United States, why?  Apparently, not every problem is cured by teaching people to “fish” for their own food (instead of giving it to them).  Although I am a huge advocate of educating people, so they may sustain their own economic needs, this economy is obviously not capable of helping its citizens sustain themselves. 

Though I haven’t yet had to resort to stealing to get insulin, I get this!  I’m now unemployed and uninsured.  With unemployment benefits running out, I do not know if I am eligible for an extension and I sure as heck can’t afford the “affordable” crap coverage of the mandatory Massachusetts medical insurance – which by the way, has none to horrific prescription coverage and high deductibles (specifically on prescription coverage). 

So, though I do not condone larceny, I understand the desperation of this “robber” and I commend the clerk for his generosity.  It’s too bad we can’t donate insulin and test strips for distribution.  I’ve tried to donate insulin and test strips.  No one will take it apparently for fear of being sued.  Even doctors’ offices are not keeping sample insulin anymore.  I’ve been told for refrigeration calibration purposes. 

So, in the United States this is what we’ve made people resort to … shame on us!

Doris J. Dickson

Clerk gives robber $40 of his own for insulin

‘I hate to do this,’ man with gun says, then thanks victim for money

Associated Press

“FORT SMITH, Ark. - A convenience store clerk wouldn't open the register for a robber but gave the man $40 from his own pocket after the robber told him he needed the money for insulin.

Police were called Monday night to the E-Z Mart, where the clerk explained that a man he didn't know entered the store and lifted his shirt to display a pistol tucked in his waistband.

The clerk said the man told him, "I hate to do this," and told him he needed $40 from the register.

The clerk said money in the register wasn't his to give. It was then the robber said the money was for insulin. The robber accepted the money from the clerk's wallet, thanked him and shook his hand.

Police are searching for the robber.”

The following article in the most recent edition of DiabetesInControl.com (http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/results.php?storyarticle=6741) cites a study done by The University of Michigan and Wayne State University researchers analyzed data from 427 diabetes patients with neuropathy.  What they discovered was that high triglyceride levels are a predictor of neuropathy. 

That is interesting information for a few reasons.  The first is that high triglyceride levels are NOT just caused by fat though this article doesn't mention that (shame on them).  They are also highly noted as a symptom of high carbohydrate and/or alcohol ingestion.  As a non-alcoholic fatty liver is a symptom of insulin resistance, so are high triglyceride levels a symptom of high carbohydrate and alcohol ingestion.  However, instead of treating the cause, doctors treat the symptom with expensive drugs riddle with side effects.

That is also interesting because neuropathy occurs not just in diabetics but in non-diabetics as well.  That causes me to wonder if they should study other neuropathy patients (those who have not been diagnosed with diabetes) for other similarities.  My point … the comment is frequently made that certain diabetes related “features” occur not just in diabetics.  Thus, doctors frequently just throw up their hands about the lesser “features” and write them off as less or entirely unimportant.

Most importantly, I want to know why the ADA, etal continue to advocate high carbohydrate meal plans when the negative effects of them continue to be unveiled – far beyond Dr. Bernstein’s reported warnings.  It seems clear to me there is a domino effect; so why do they continue to advocate treating symptoms primarily with drugs instead of treating the cause?  No one can force a patient to eat fewer carbs, healthier protein, and fat and get more exercise but they should in the tradition of “do no harm” make the attempt.  They should educate properly.  They should not placate people and hand them pills because it is easier!  The pharmaceutical companies might benefit but the patient is not healed.

Doris J. Dickson