This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Again, I feel compelled to write about an article. Greg Bell, I am sure, is trying to look at the bigger picture that's in front of him currently, the needs of the many as opposed to the needs of the few or the one, as my case may be ("Any ACA repeal must restore funds for hospitals," Jan. 8).
I recently relocated here from California where I had Medicare and also health care insurance provided through my spouse's employer, that insurance being the primary one. I have need of mental health care provided by a psychiatrist and also counseling on a regular basis provided by a psychologist on an outpatient basis. Upon relocating to this state, I attempted to get re-established with providers for the aforementioned care, with again, both insurances. It took me five months to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist. For one, due to the overburdened system (that multiple staff members I spoke with admitted) here in Utah and, secondly, due to me not being able to be seen by a resident due to my connection with Medicare.
So, keep in mind, in a state that has one of the highest suicide rates in the United States, along with one of the highest rates of opiate addiction and overdoses, along with one of the highest rates of depression and antidepressant medications prescribed, it took me five months to be seen. This is written by someone who is actively trying to get care with two insurances and with one of the biggest health care providers in Salt Lake City. To top it off, after finally getting my first appointment with a provider I was told by them that their health care system does not provide any intensive outpatient treatment for groups whatsoever.
With this state's statistics? Really? The physician who admitted to having practiced previously in another state where those services were commonplace stated, "I know, it's backwards here."
Bell states "without restoration of these cuts, many of these facilities — especially safety net and community hospitals and clinics ... — will be forced to prioritize scarce resources." I hate to break it to him, but they are already either scarce or just plainly nonexistent. I have compassion for those individuals who need immediate intervention or those who do not have insurance or even those who would benefit from outpatient treatment, seeing how difficult it was for me with resources.
Greg Bell, it can't be a safety net if it's not big enough, it's badly frayed or its pieces are missing. This state's statistics are already proving that, Affordable Care Act or not.
Mike Ramirez
West Jordan