Does the poor's health not matter?

A recent article from the Chicago Tribune portrayed the flaws in health care system. “Indigent and under-insured patients” were sent to Cook County's Stroger Hospital after not getting treated fully at other non-profit hospitals. Some of these patients came to the ER at Stroger's with discharge slips and prescriptions from the non-profit hospitals. People with broken jaws and tumors were sent with discharge slips saying to go to a Cook County Hospital, as well as a woman who came with one saying to get a follow up on a uterine tumor surgery. This hospital that is trying to help people without insurance is being overloaded with patients, and in this economy resources are scarce. It’s hard enough not being able to afford health insurance, but then being turned away from hospitals after major surgery, or with broken bones or tumors just seems ridiculous. Universal Health care definitely has its ups and downs, but things like this make it seem pretty good. Privilege entitles people to a lot of things because of status and resources, but that doesn’t mean that others should be left behind. A lot of things in life come at a price, but for health care it doesn’t seem right. In class we read "Being Poor." Being poor isn't a choice, it isn't because some people work less hard, it is a situation that is difficult to get out of, and people’s health should not be penalized. People are too quick to judge, and too slow to put themselves in other people's shoes. Not having insurance can be a scary thing, and fear of not getting any medical attention should not even have to be a thought.