THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507120007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Much has been written about the looming health-care crisis. I am continuously impressed by lack of attention in the press to personal and family commitment in meeting health-care needs. Yet the effectiveness of health care is most often colored by family members, friends and other support groups.
Corporate home-health agencies, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, insurance companies and the like supply only the tools to allow individuals to augment the ``caring'' they may need. To rely on a system, be it insurance, corporate or government, to determine what is best for ourselves or our loved ones is folly.
The health-care crisis is not only in the hospitals, doctors' offices and the halls of Congress but also in the home. As we attempt to solve this problem, it is time for individuals, children, churches and other interested and responsible parties to step up and take charge, or we will all suffer.
JONATHAN W. MILLER, M.D.
Virginia Beach, June 28, 1995 by CNB