Its both race and class and a whole lot more

To Robert Redfern:  I have no idea where your getting your ideas from but have you been to the grocery store lately? Have you ever watched, listened to or seen ads for food?  They focus on foods that are completely unhealthy for all.  If you have listened to any of the other health commentary episodes you would know that these foods and a lack of emphasis on prevention costs this country billions of dollars in healthcare each year.  It is definitely just not the poor who can't afford to eat junk food it's everyone.  The poor buy more junk food becuase these foods are often much less expensive than organic and natural foods.  When you're poor, your concern is less on how good the food is for your body and more on the fact that you're just getting something into your body.   Similarly, in poorer neighborhoods, grocery stores such as whole foods and AJ's aren't available.  The people depend on corner stores who are given incentives to display junk foods when at the register.  It is also an educational problem.  Many people are not fully informed about there conditions.  this is a problem for both the healthcare industry and the patients.  Doctors should be able to learn from the patients and vice versa.  It is not just an issue of poor people it is an issue with everyone.

W. Rainbow:   I am so sorry to hear that your husband had to go through that process.  that should never have occured.  Some doctors do not always probe like they should.  Once they find a symptom that might be the cause they often focus on that instead of looking for other clues that could also lead to a diagnosis.  I would have to say that this is a minority of doctors.  Most undersatnd that there are dealing with a person's life and that finding the correct diagnosis can only lead good healthcare.  The patient might not always like the diagnosis and prognosis but at least they know what's going on and have the time to prepare whatever the outcome maybe.  

On education:  i feel that you are wrong in saying that african-americans don't have to be educated about their own healthcare.  Being african-american myself and a strong advocate of prevention, I feel there is not enough emphasis in minority communities on healthcare.  Smarter choices need to be made when it comes to food and exercise.  Questions need to be asked if situations are not understood before leaving the physician's office.  Do not accept mediocrity.  Make the doctors do their job and anyone else involved in your healthcare.  This not only makes that doctor more prepared the next time he/she has a patient but it also gives you control of healthcare.  you have a responsibility to yourself and those around to understand your own health.  not to mention it'll probably save you a lot of money in the long run.  Education about health even in leymans terms is very important for all.

Jim Bell:  I think your situation is more to do with a military mind set than anything else.  The military has a "suck it up" attitude now.   So it was probably even more so then.  I agree that healthcare can be bad no matter what.  But I also say that people with more money are more than likely informed about their health and often have access to better facilites than the neighborhood clininc or county hospital. 

Healthcare is worse for poor and minorities.  However, this country in general has poor healthcare for all due to HMOs and insurance companies.  There are a lot of reason for poor healthcare but it should not be accepted for what it is.  It is the duty of everyone to find someone (maybe themselves) to bring about change.