Tag Archives: universalhealthcar

US Health Care Policy is Humiliating: We Can Really Do Better

Health Care, , ,

       We could Do Better if we cared.  This is why Public health care is a key part of Phase I of #ProjectDoBetter:

“Many people don’t know that we are in a maternal and infant health crisis in… Our country is currently the least safe to give birth and be born in among industrialized countries, and…not having access to high-quality maternity care…”

(from NPR By Rachel Treisman…)

     While these are difficult problems to solve, maternal health care and the long held biases that lead to these outcomes, the problems can be solved.  But, working together across issue interest divides to connect all of our work together is crucial:
  cropped-dobettercover.jpg
     We really can Do Better

Shira

Action Items:

1.) Thoughtful Readers, share your ideas for health care solutions, please.

2.) Write a story, post or comment here, that uses those thoughts.

*****************

Click here for:

Learning through story:

                                                   Babylon5, Hakan: Muhafiz/The Protector, Sihirli Annem,  Lupin,  La Casa de Papel/Money Heist, or El Ministerio del Tiempo Reviews

Learning via Holistic College Algebra & GED/High School Lesson Plans,

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about Phase I of #ProjectDoBetter.  This work is my personal way (as opposed to founding the Project, overall) of contributing to building tools that can help increase empathy and compassion in our world.  Story, as part of how we see our world, helps us make sense of and define our actions in this world.  And remember how important story is also as part of this project. Let’s Do Better.

Shira Destinie A. Jones, MPhil, MAT, BSCS

ShiraDest

Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Parashat Bo (בֹּא) 5783, Unnecessary Deaths, and Equal Access to Health Care

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        This week’s parashah is Bo (“Come!”), the 15th parashah overall, and third portion of Shemot/Exodus.  The last of the plagues, the first Pesach/Passover, and the Exit from Egypt are all in this week’s annual cycle of the portion for this week.

V0010560F2 The second plague in Egypt. The plague of frogs.

  Last year, we asked about Parashat Bo, and when Come really means Go, hobos2  from a linguistic and other points of view.   From an access to health care point of view, such a basic human right and whether everyone has actual access to that right shows the status of a society, and partly, how just or injust that society is.  This, in turn, shows how stable and prone to revolution or violence that society might be at a given moment in history, which is important for preventing violence, by checking inequality in various areas.

  The first pass-over is not what I would consider an example of justice, nor is it what I would want to hold up as an example of fairness, since the First Born who died were mostly, if at all, not implicated in the decisions and policy-making of that Pharaoh, even if some of those eldest children probably had a hand in upholding the unjust system, as overseers, inheritors, and heads of families.  It is, however, an excellent example of unequal distribution of resources, from information, to wealth, and an unhappy example of the consequences of injustice, that we can avoid in the future.  We really can Do Better.

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     Last week was the start of the book of Names/Exodus: Parashat Vaera 5783,  looking at the role of humility in public decision making and health care outcomes.

     While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

     Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

     We can really Do Better, and Project Do Better proposes a long term plan.

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Parashat Vaera 5783, Generational Reparation via Humility, and Public Health Care

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        This week’s parashah is Vaera (“And Appeared”), the 14th parashah overall, and second portion of Shemot/Exodus.  The first of the plagues hits Egypt, V0010560F2 The second plague in Egypt. The plague of frogs. and whether they originated from the explosion of Thira/Santorini, or from some other source, the ensuing catastrophe is the start of a crisis for Egypt and for the enslaved Hebrews.  Last year, we we had No Words for this disaster but words of rebuke for the rejoicing angels, while the year before, we asked about how Moshe/Moses, analogously to Holmes, paget_holmes_yellow_face_child  looked at Aaron as Watson, via Moshe’s humility (or act of humility, in accepting his brother to speak for him).

   Now, we wonder whether humility, and acknowledgment of one’s less strong spots, can help to build bridges, and pave the way to repair the wrongs done in the past.  Acknowledging the failings of our public health system in the United States would be a worthy start, a humble start, to repairing those gaps through which many people are allowed to fall, in this country.  That start needs to happen soon, to stop the waste of human potential for solving the urgent problems confronting our world now.

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     Last week was the start of the book of Names/Exodus: Parashat Shemot 5783, Generational Trauma and Public Health Care .

     While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

     Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

     We can really Do Better, and Project Do Better proposes a long term plan.

–

Parashat Shemot 5783, Generational Trauma and Public Health Care

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        This week’s parashah is Shemot (“Names”), the 13th parashah overall, and first portion of Shemot/Exodus.  This is the famous “and there arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph”  parashah.  Mosheh/Moses is born, rescued and adopted by a daughter of Pharaoh, runs away after killing an overseer, and reintroduced to the promise made to his forefathers.  After the names of all of those who went down to live in Egypt with Jacob/Israel are recorded.   Now we begin to see the long term effects of family relationships, and how trauma can travel down through generations.   Here is another reason that long term planning and access to basic survival and equal health care resources for everyone is essential to all of us, unconditionally.

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   Last year we looked at this portion from a nation-building point of view Parashat Shemot, and Naming a Nation, while this year, we take a more family oriented approach.   Unlike slavery practiced in the United States, slaves in the ancient world were not entirely deprived of their identity and origins, as we see by the statements in the text of Moses going to Hebrew elders in the land of Goshen where their families lived together.  Nevertheless, the trauma of forced labor and harsh punishments was one that all age groups suffered, and became embedded in the generational mentalities, as with slaves here in the USA.  The requirement to at least appear to obey and to submit leaves scars.  These scars even affect generations who do not live through the direct trauma, as we will see later in the upcoming parshiot.

    The fact that trauma can be passed down through generations makes it all the more crucial for every person, from the earliest age, to have access to competent (for the specific type of trauma) and complete long term access to mental and physical health care.  This necessarily implies a need for a comprehensive set of public health care mental health systems that interface with social welfare and safety net systems.   In other words, universal health care, eventually.  mental_health

     Last week was the end of the book of beginnings: Parashat VaYechi 5783, Favoritism vs. Family Mental Health, and The Common Good .

     While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

     Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

     We can really Do Better, and Project Do Better proposes a long term plan.

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Parashat VaYechi 5783, Favoritism vs. Family Mental Health, and The Common Good

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        This week’s parashah is VaYechi, the 12th and final portion of Bereshit/Genesis, and first Torah portion of the secular year 2023 CE/ 12023 HE.  In this parashah, Joseph swears to bury his father up north, gets the double inheritance, promises not to kill his brothers for what they did to him, and then, dies, after making them swear to bury his bones up north, some time in the future.  Once again, we see the effects of favoritism, jealousy, and rigid inheritance rules on family relationships, and how harmful this can all be.   Here is another reason that long term planning and access to basic survival and equal health care resources for everyone is essential to the democratic process, right?

DoBetterCover

     The common good requires both rule of law and an acceptance by all to refrain from taking personal vendettas to their individually desired conclusions, while trusting in a system of justice that will both resolve existing cases of injustice, and also prevent future wrongs.  This makes favoritism bad both for the general welfare in terms of law and order, and also for public mental and even physical health, due to both fear and threat of violence, as well as the public health menaces which are increased when sanitation, food and water access, and other services are disrupted by ongoing lawlessness.   When a family, especially a ruling or powerful family, does not set the best example for the common good of all without distinction, society degrades into a set of competing groups which then prevents all of us from solving common problems together in a more efficient way for everyone.  Thus, the difference that Joseph shows us between justice (as he got a double portion) and vengeance (as he refrained from taking revenge on his brothers) set an example for later society.    Even if his taking of the land and persons of Egypt were less than just, some progress takes longer…

   Last year we looked at this portion, Parashat VaYechi, from the point of view of Endingsgraveyard_visit.

     Last week was  Parashat VaYigash 5783, Land vs. Public Health, and Tightening Belts.

     While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

     Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

     Let’s Do Better.

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Parashat VaYigash 5783, Land vs. Public Health, and Tightening Belts

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       In this week’s parashah, Vayigash, the 11th in the Torah and last of the secular year 2022 CE/ 12022 HE, Joseph ends freedom and begins the slide toward feudalism by taking ownership of almost all of the land in Egypt in exchange for releasing the stored grain to the very farmers who had planted and harvested it, but lacked storage space.  See why long term planning and access to basic survival and equal health care resources for everyone is essential to the democratic process?

   Last year we mentioned R. Hillel‘s comment on responsibility  painting_of_foreign_delegation_in_the_tomb_of_khnumhotep_ii_circa_1900_bce_28detail_mentioning_22abisha_the_hyksos22_in_hieroglyphs29 .

     Last week, we looked at reverse engineering solutions to prevent famine, in Parashat Miketz 5783, Famine Prevention as Public Health, and More Dreams:mary_jackson_1979_portrait_28lrc-1979-b701_p-0708529

While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

Let’s Do Better.

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Parashat Miketz 5783, Famine Prevention as Public Health, and More Dreams

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This parashah, Joseph sees more dreams, but not his.  The ruler of the land has two dreams which Joseph is wise enough to both interpret and plan for, long term.  His long term plans prevent a major famine, at least in Egypt, and thus also prevent the knock-on health menaces often associated with famines.  Need I add that long term planning and access to full health care for everyone is essential?

Last year, we looked at engineering,  mary_jackson_1979_portrait_28lrc-1979-b701_p-0708529  in  Parashat MiKetz, and Reverse Engineering.    

Empathy starts to be heard, sort of, in this parashah, the 10th in the Torah.   What do you think, Thoughtful Readers?

While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

Let’s Do Better.

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Last week was Parashat Vayeshev 5783, Family Mental Health, and Jealous Brothers  …

Parashat Vayeshev 5783, Family Mental Health, and Jealous Brothers

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This parashah looks at Joseph’s jealous brothers, and Tamar’s husband’s jealous brother(s), and the results of both situations.  Need I say that this parashah points up the need to look carefully at how hierarchy, inheritance, and jealousy affects the most vulnerable among us?  It also underlines the need for full access to that mental health care for everyone.

Last year, we looked at Parashat Vayeshev, and Knowing Your Rights  (which is how Tamar saved herself…),  figures_judah_gives_his_signet2c_bracelets_and_staff_in_pledge_to_tamar  

while

the previous year, 5781, we turned away from this, the 9th Torah portion.

Etz Hayim
Etz Chaim

Empathy screams to be heard in this parashah, the 9th in the Torah.   What do you think, Thoughtful Readers?

While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

Let’s Do Better.

–

Last week was:  Parashat VaYishlach 5783, Women’s Mental Health, and Generational Trauma …

Parashat VaYishlach 5783, Women’s Mental Health, and Generational Trauma

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This parashah looks at how dysfunctional family systems might even heal, given the right circumstances.  It also looks at the pain caused when women are treated as mere property to be possessed by one group, and property to be recaptured and avenged, by another group. This portion again, as last week points up the need for long term carefully trained specialists in all types of trauma, but most especially childhood trauma, and full access to that mental health care for everyone.

Last year, we looked at VaYishlach, and Favorites among children causing problems over and over again, investigating_favoritism_in_government._washington2c_d.c.2c_march_31._a_characteristic_pose_of_senator_allen_j._ellender2c_democrat_of_louisiana2c_chairman_of_the_special_senate_committe …

while

the previous year, 5781, we looked at what happened to poor Dinah, in this, the 8th Torah portion:

Etz Hayim
Etz Chaim

Empathy cries out to be heard in this parashah, the 8th in the Torah.   What do you think, Thoughtful Readers?

While there are many ways to help increasing empathy,  Language Learning as a Fourth Tool for Empathy Building is both fascinating and practical.

Empathy building is a crucial task, particularly in our contentious society today.  The task is tiring, and cannot be done all at once, but with careful planning, education, and greater cooperation between the generations, it can be done.

Let’s Do Better.

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Last week was  Parashat Vayetzei 5783, With Mental Health Care For Childhood Traumas?…

Last Early Draft Outlines: the later years of Phase III

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This post is, though the book is now done,  the rough draft of  Chapter 10, section III. A. of my non-fiction WiP, Baby Floors.   This part of chapter 9 will introduce the later years of mapping out a path to get there for Phase III.

The overall objective remains that of putting a floor on poverty so that each and every baby born can have a safe childhood.

I was posting rough draft sections in order to compare with later drafts, but now I see that posting too much of the rough draft is just tiring, so this will be my last, unless I have scheduled some that I may miss.   I’ll be concentrating on drafting my novel in progress, Who By Fire, so this may get lost, and I ask your indulgence, Thoughtful Readers, if it does.

 

Once again, by way of disclaimer, the overall goal is now to explain why we need both equ. + justice, & why in 4 phases.  This chapter is part of showing what Phases I-IV could look like as potential roadmap for a fully inclusive society for all of us.  This vision is laid out in the hope that All HumanKind  will eventually have each person’s basic needs  met, without taking anything from anyone, and without violence, intimidation, nor coercion of any kind. 

(Chapter 10, section II. D. was last week)

Chapter 10, section III. A.

 

— (Next Wednesday: Chapter 10, section III. B. )

 

I’m considering this Rough Draft as the block of clay from which my book will eventually emerge, obviously, and some ideas for phases III and IV are still becoming more  fixed in my mind as I write, so the final version will likely look pretty different from this Rough Draft, and will need updating once I get to the very end.

 

And once again, yeayyy( !!)with regard to audience, I may have at least a couple of comps:  Walden Two meets The War on Poverty: A Civilian Perspective (by Dr.s Jean and Edgar Cahn, 1964).  I know that lots of people consider Skinner’s writing to be stilted, but I like the tilt of most reviewers, in that the idea is that a community should keep trying policies that members agree upon until they find what works for all of them.

As for genre, I’m still wondering:  clearly part of  Non-fiction.

Maybe also: System Change, Causes, maybe even Inspirational, but I doubt it.

Action Items:

1.) Consider sharing some ideas you may have on how our society can solve homelessness and child abuse, starting right now,

2.) Write a story, post or tweet that uses those sources and your thoughts.

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Click here to read, if you like:

B5, Hakan: Muhafiz/Protector,  Lupin, or La Casa de Papel/Money Heist Reviews

Holistic College Algebra & GED/High School Lesson Plans,

Thoughtful Readers, please consider reading about #ProjectDoBetter.

Shira Destinie A. Jones, MPhil, MAT, BSCS

Creative Commons License
Shira Destinie Jones’ work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.