Friday, October 31, 2008

Down syndrome and Government Sponsored Healthcare

This blog is not meant for any other purpose than to promote awareness of Down syndrome. However, as I read this article recently and thought about the possibility of our healthcare system falling into government hands, I realized that I should post this here. This is by no means an lesson on how one should vote. This is however meant to inform all of us of what happens when we entrust the government with such things as healthcare - better known as socialized medicine.

Article:
Doctor denied residency due to Down syndrome son. 31/10/2008 4:12:00 PM


The federal government must overturn an immigration department decision to deny Australian residency to a German doctor because his son has Down syndrome, the opposition says.
Bernhard Moeller moved with his family to rural Horsham, in central-western Victoria, two and a half years ago to help fill a doctor shortage.
Dr Moeller has a temporary 457 visa which is valid until 2010, but has been denied permanent residency ....



As we each exercise our priviledge to vote next Tuesday, may we all consider beforehand the direction in which we are agreeing to go. It is easy to get caught up in the drama of it all and gloss over whether or not our convictions are heard. Let your convictions be heard in this election.

 

2 comments:

Jeanette said...

I saw this as well. Ugh. It is a scary precedent.

Becca said...

I'm certainly not condoning it, but apparently this is the way it is in many countries that have national health, and for any kind of health issue/potential health issue (not just Down syndrome) that may place a burden on the state. The US, not having a national health program (yet), would not find this to be an issue. When my husband emigrated here as my spouse, Immigration & Naturalization asked a series of questions to determine whether or not he'd be a burden on the state (can he work, etc.) and not be a likely candidate for unemployment. They asked medical questions, too, to this same end. It's kind of the same thing.

Like I said, this isn't something I'm defending--my husband just (rightly) pointed out that not all of the articles about this have told the whole reason behind the decison. (Readers--don't spam me, please!!!!!!)