Local story shows its need
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Why is medical coverage for all Americans imperative? The Wolfe twins.
The story of the 31-year-old brothers from Stanwood provides a sad look at some of the social, medical and financial issues that plague the current health-care system.
Michael Wolfe died April 2 from complications from the flu. His brother, Steve, survived the flu after being put in a medically induced coma for 22 days. The brothers had developed pneumonia from the flu, and the lack of lung function triggered organ failure. They were in desperate straits by the time they sought medical care. In some people, when the flu hits, things can deteriorate quickly.
Some flu strains strike elderly people harder, while others, like H1N1, take a heavier toll on young adults. Steve Wolfe did have the H1N1 strain, while the type that his brother had was not confirmed.
Steve Wolfe told Herald reporter Sharon Salyer that he and his brother not gotten flu shots. He said they had never been “super sick” with flu before. And last month, when they did get super sick, Michael Wolfe initially refused to be hospitalized. Steve Wolfe told Salyer he probably would have reacted the same way, thinking: “It’s just the flu and pneumonia.”
This illustrates the very understandable thinking of many young people, particularly males. They are expected to be tough and fight it off.
The Wolfe brothers, who both lost jobs during the recession, did not have health insurance. Friends, family and the communities of Stanwood/Camano Island are hosting fund-raisers to help pay the medical bills incurred by the two men during their hospitalizations and Steve Wolfe’s subsequent rehabilitation.
Health coverage for everyone could change the costly cycle of our current backward system, where it is the catastrophic event that finally brings someone in for medical care, often at a great price not only to finances but health.
A prevention-based model would include disease screening, flu shots and vaccinations, and regular contact with a health-care provider to stay on top the chronic conditions that can lead to more serious health problems. Catching things early, or preventing them altogether, is key to maintaining health and cutting down on costs.
Steve Wolfe told Salyer: “My biggest regret is we could have paid $20 each for a flu shot and this never would have happened.”
But who, being young and unemployed and healthy, would spend $20 on a flu shot?
If a person received a friendly email from their health-care provider, however, reminding them to come in for their flu shot — fully covered — as part of their overall health care, that would be a system that puts people and prevention first. The Wolfes’ story reminds us we’re not there yet.
