Someone I Know Almost Died

I've spent the last week worrying about someone who is probably my best friend in the world right now. He's a sweetheart of a guy who came within about 48 hours of dying.

A week ago he thought he had food poisoning or a virus. It turned out to be a blocked bile duct both to the pancreas and the gall bladder. The doctor told him straight out it's from his years of smoking and if he didn't quit he was within 12-13 years of dying from this. It was a real wake-up call. He doesn't blame the cigarette companies and neither do I. It's a personal choice he made.

However, what sucks is the health insurance - or lack thereof - in this country. He's self-employed and works damn hard but can't afford a policy for his family. I can't imagine what his bills will come to. He spent five nights in the hospital, had two "procedures" done, and one ambulance ride. The Cipro for his infection cost $60. It almost certainly means he will be declaring bankruptcy and seeing how the chips fall for keeping his equipment for his business.

But people continue to bury their heads in the sand - if they are all right and have health insurance, why should they care about anyone else? I am fast growing tired of trying to make the point to them that it could be anyone - their neighbors, their relatives, their children one day. They just don't seem to care anymore unless it affects them directly.

When did this happen to us as Americans? When did we become so terribly selfish? What can we do to change it?

I don't have the answers, but I despair for my country when I seriously think about it.