Names of the Dead

My first cousin Chris was one of the only two first cousins I've ever had. Now I have one. Chris worked in Jackson, TN, at a cereal company. He had a mild heart attack, and his company health insurance took care of him. But he needed follow-up care to prevent a second, bigger attack. He began eating better, doing exercises, taking prescription drugs. He was following doctor's orders. Then he lost his job. His company contracted, and there were layoffs and buyouts. He took the latter, before he faced the former. Then he discovered that he couldn't follow doctor's orders any more. His health insurance evaporated with his job, and he couldn't get any more health insurance, because he had -- let's say it together now -- "a pre-existing condition." So he couldn't get the drugs. He couldn't see a cardiac doctor. He couldn't get the help he needed. He kept doing the exercises, and eating better, but he couldn't do the professional follow-up stuff. George W. Bush said we all have health care, because we can all go to the emergency room. And you're right, George. Because that's where my cousin died. Of a massive heart attack. In the emergency room. Mitch McConnell said the other day that a public option will kill us. Well, somebody needs to tell him that real-life people like my cousin are already dead from the system that he's protecting. And let's hope he's still got soul enough to be ashamed.