I Can’t Save Anyone

After a few days passed beyond last week’s writings, I started to feel that my last post might be construed as self-righteous, self-serving, and self-centered. This feeling grew as the week went on. I conceded that the post could be perceived as shameless self-promotion, but averred that this was not my intent.
How to damage control, then? A disclaimer, perhaps?
Not at all. I remain unapologetically compassionate.
I did find a Tedx Talk by my former associate at Fourth Street Clinic, Dr. Joel Hunt. Joel reminded me that nothing is about me, and that I have no power to save anyone. I may be able to help them; I can certainly love them. I cannot save them.
How Can I Bring Dignity to the Homeless?

I see nothing wrong with doing all I can to love, and to help. I see nothing wrong with me relating those efforts to you here, as it is an appropriate venue to do so. I do not put my efforts above the efforts of any other person or groups. It just is. It is true. It is how I do what I do. It is who I am. 
On another note, the clock continues to tick away, people continue to get ill, and people die, as Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the Utah Legislature fail to come up with a state healthcare plan and close the coverage gap known as The Donut Hole.This gap is made up of working people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or any Affordable Care Act premium tax subsidy, have no insurance through their work and cannot afford private insurance.
These two short films document the Utah tragedies, and make an excellent case for healthcare reform, in any form other than gutting social services altogether.
Entitled to Life 
Donut Hole: Life in the Utah Coverage Gap 

There are two sides to every argument. Here are some recent alerts I have received via my Gmail.
Ten Things You Need to Know for Friday Sept. 11 
Two Ways Medicaid ACO’s Can Overcome 
Utahans Are Split 
Taxing Doctors 
Redd Concerned 
Utah Doctor Group Opposed 
Obamacare Effect: Fewer Uninsured
Utah Falling Behind in Coverage 
My View: Say no to Medicaid expansion by Jonathan Johnson for Deseret News
Doctors Oppose “Provider Tax” 

My view: Medicaid expansion in Utah responsibly helps poor, needy by Ray Ward for Deseret News

Poverty Data Released by Census Shows Mixed Results for Utah’s Poor 
Op-ed: Medicaid expansion is not the Utah way of helping poor by Evelyn Everton for Salt Lake Tribune

My view: Provider tax good way to expand Utah’s health insurance by John Grima For the Deseret News

Don’t forget your place for complete Homelessness News from a variety of sources
Rio Grande Report on Facebook 
My sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by thinking I was just loudly tooting my own horn. Perhaps I was; perhaps not. In either case, the desired outcome was, as always, to inform & entertain. Nothing more.
Next post I’ll try to get back to suggesting/exploring solutions to homelessness that we can all get behind. The issues of poverty we face in Salt Lake City is not just about homeless people. We are below poverty. There are so many people to help out. Please, can you try to find your way?
---RGR

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