Hi I’m now going to rant about the unintended consequences of the US health care system. 1/
I guy I work with has an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Could be apnea, could be narcolepsy, he doesn’t know. Because he can’t afford to see a doctor, even if he had health insurance thru the ACA (he’s enrolling this month, the 1 month of the year he can). 2/
The other day he was late for work. No big deal, except he’s the ride for half the kitchen staff. 3/
So we’re at work frantically making calls. He isn’t answering his phone. The other guys are like, we’re still waiting for dude to pick us up. 4/
Traffic on the interstate was more snarled than usual that morning. Maybe he’s stuck in traffic? Time passes. We make do. Luckily it’s kinda slow and we manage without the kitchen crashing too hard. 5/
Servers are bussing their own tables, the one guy on the line is prepping as he goes, the place is a mess. 6/
Finally he shows up w/ the rest of the crew. What happened? 7/
He got caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. And while sitting there on the way to pick up the crew, he... fell asleep. In a running car. On the interstate. 8/
So he caused an accident. Just some bumper kissing, nobody hurt, nothing badly damaged. But then that had to be sorted out. 9/
Which further delayed everyone else on the interstate. 10/
Hundreds if not thousands of people were late to work that day because my dude fell asleep because he can’t afford to seek treatment for a debilitating chronic health condition. 11/
What, I wonder, was the COST of all that lost productivity? Not just in our restaurant, but everyone else’s business where work didn’t get done, because one guy didn’t have access to basic medical care? 12/
Access to health care isn’t just about YOUR health. It’s about MAKING EVERYTHING FUNCTION MORE SMOOTHLY. It keeps stupid dangerous shit like this from happening. It’s about freeing people to live better, healthier, more productive lives. 13/
Demand single-payer health care. Dismantle this insane and cruel system where beancounting is prioritized over wellness. The US system is an abomination. And not only is it morally repugnant, it’s HUGELY INEFFICIENT. We can do better. And we must.
The End
The End
