The House of Medicine Stands Tall – A Day of Reckoning.

Posted on | June 20, 2018 | 6 Comments

Mike Magee

Last evening, the normally controlled Rachel Maddow could no longer contain her humanity when forced to report that the Trump administration has been placing innocent babies and and other young children in three “tender age shelters” in south Texas. She broke down in tears and could not speak on camera.

Long time Republican strategist, Steve Schmidt, spoke for her and the majority of Americans this morning when he resigned membership in Trump’s party stating, “This child separation policy is connected to the worst abuses of humanity in our history. It is connected by the same evil that separated families during slavery and dislocated tribes and broke up Native American families. It is immoral and must be repudiated. Our country is in trouble.”

As a physician and a Roman Catholic, I am proud to say that Schmidt’s words followed the words and actions of leaders of both the House of Medicine and the Church last week.

One week ago, with the support of the Pope, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, labeled participants in this policy as “sinners” adding these words, “Separating babies from their mothers is not the answer and is immoral.”

This was 9 days after the American Academy of Pediatrics public rebuke of the president, followed on CNN by AAP President Colleen Kraft’s blunt critique, “That’s child abuse!”

The American Academy of Family Physicians stood side by side with the pediatricians echoing “the gravity of the long-term harm that can be caused by forced separation at this critical and stressful time for a family.” Pushing back on the Trump/Bannon denigration of immigrants, the AAFP stated, “Once on American soil, regardless of their citizenship status, migrating children are the concern of the American Academy of Family Physicians.”

The American Medical Association last week issued a carefully worded rebuke stating, “The separation of children from their parents who are detained while seeking safe haven causes unnecessary distress, depression, and anxiety”, and that Trump’s actions “will do great harm to children and their parents or caregivers, who felt compelled to make a dangerous and uncertain journey because of safety concerns in their own countries.”

A week later, their CEO, Dr. James Madara, added his own exclamation point with these words, “Families seeking refuge in the U.S. already endure emotional and physical stress, which is only exacerbated when they are separated from one another. It is well known that childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences created by inhumane treatment often create negative health impacts that can last an individual’s entire lifespan.”

The American College of Physicians, representing the nation’s internists, were on this issue nearly a month ago. On May 31st they stated, “a policy of universally separating children from their parents entering U.S. borders will do great harm to children, their parents, and their families… The American College of Physicians calls on the Department of Homeland Security, Attorney General Sessions, and President Trump to withdraw its new policy.”

The American Psychiatric Association a day earlier had stated, “These children deserve our protection and should remain with their families as they seek asylum. The APA recommends an immediate halt to the policy of separating children from their parents.”

By June 15th, the American Public Health Association labeled Trump’s actions as “inhumane…a dire impact on their health, both now and into the future. Decades of public health research has shown that family structure, stability and environment are key social determinants of a child’s and the communities health.”

In taking the steps they have taken, the Trump/Cannon cabal has revealed itself. It’s intentions are sinful, and beyond defense. They demand not only an immediate response, but an enduring solution as well. Tears reveal the magnitude of this inhumanity. Resignations from the party of Trump reflect a weakening of the iron grip of an oppressor. The Roman Catholics swift response in the defense of human dignity and human life is reassuring. And Medicine’s ability to place patients first – especially those most vulnerable and at risk – is a source of pride for this aging physician.

Comments

6 Responses to “The House of Medicine Stands Tall – A Day of Reckoning.”

Denise Link
June 20th, 2018 @ 2:16 pm

I am proud to say that every major nursing organization has publicly gone on the record and contacted those in government authority to strongly oppose the separation of families, citing irreparable harm to children and families. We, too, believe that the health and welfare of people are our highest priority. The current policy is a disgrace, immoral, a crime against humanity, and indefensible
Mike Magee
June 20th, 2018 @ 2:30 pm

Denise-
Many thanks for adding this! My sisters and brothers in Nursing always set the standard for empathy and advocacy!
Mike
Art Ulene
June 20th, 2018 @ 3:45 pm

Bravo, Mike. Thank you for today’s message. I am sharing a link to your message with many friends.
Susan Pellerin
June 20th, 2018 @ 4:39 pm

Mike: So good to see more and more support for these children and their parents. I think we all cried with Rachel! Now lets see how this group of mean spirit politicians take credit for ending this debacle and abuse.
Mike Magee
June 20th, 2018 @ 6:23 pm

Thanks, Susan. Persistence and resistence!
Mike Magee
June 20th, 2018 @ 6:23 pm

Thanks, Art! Appreciate your spreading the word! Best, Mike