About this blog 
Healthcare United is a campaign of, by and for nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers uniting to reform our country's broken healthcare system. Our blog provides day-to-day analysis, information and commentary on the issues we all care so deeply about.
Blog roll
Nurse Blogs
About a Nurse
Emergiblog
ER Nursery
PixelRN
National Nurse
Not Nurse Ratched
Nurse Ratched's Place
Medbloggers
Doctor Anonymous
Fat Doctor
Kevin MD
Movin' Meat
Panda Bear, MD
Surgeonsblog
The Angry Pharmacist
Healthcare Policy Blogs
Ezra KleinHealth Beat
Health Care Renewal
Managed Care Matters
Archive
Dian Palmer, RN on Healthcare Inequities
by Cathy Glasson, RN | Friday, June 20, 2008
As you all know, yesterday was Juneteenth (see earlier posts). As nurses, it's a day to educate ourselves on the healthcare inequities that exist in our country, and to reflect on what can be done to bridge the divide.
In recognition of Juneteenth, my close friend and colleague Dian Palmer, RN had an op-ed published in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. I wanted to share a portion of her powerful statement (and encourage you to read the full article, here):
"In a nation that spends more than $150 billion annually in medical treatment and loses nearly $1 trillion in productivity due to illness, everybody pays for health inequities. Left unaddressed, health disparities will unravel even the best efforts to improve the nation's overall quality of care."
...
Even African-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities with health insurance face disparities in delivery of care and health outcomes. In a nation that spends more than $150 billion annually in medical treatment and loses nearly $1 trillion in productivity due to illness, everybody pays for health inequities. Left unaddressed, health disparities will unravel even the best efforts to improve the nation's overall quality of care.
As we tackle the health care crisis, health equity must be a centerpiece of any reform. Closing the gaps with equitable solutions is a modest price.
Post a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not a member yet? Registration is easy and takes just a minute.
Can’t remember your password? Have a password reminder emailed to you.