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FacebookI saw a commercial the other day for pharmaceutical school. What sorta education is required to be a pharmacist? You gotta be able to find the medicine prescribed by the doctor–on your shelf–and you gotta be able to count out the number of pills he prescribes. As far as I can tell, all you need is basic reading and counting skills. Your average sixth grader oughta be able to do that. Pharmaceutical college? Yeah, it’s called grade school.
On November 7, 1991 Magic Johnson announced to the world he was HIV positive and retiring from the NBA. I remember that date (for some reason, I’m really good at remember the dates of bad things) and I’ll never forget the day. I was in school when rumors started running wild. I didn’t believe it until I got home and saw the news. Like every kid of that age, I idolized Magic and Bird–the two greatest basketball players to live (of course, that was before Jordan got good and started winning rings–but that’s neither here nor there).
November 7, 1991–more than 15 years ago. While it seemed like a death since back then, Magic certainly appears to be alive and well today. He has a front office job with the Lakers. He works as a basketball analyst on TV. He’s a motivational speaker. He has all of his private businesses. He’s a philanthropist. An entrepreneur. And every couple years, rumors arise that he’s running for LA mayor (talk about a guaranteed win: the only people who would vote against him are Celtic fans).
That seems like such a long time ago. For a guy who supposedly received a “death sentence” he certainly seems a lot more alive than me. No one ever speaks of it, but it seems quite remarkable that Magic is alive today. Back in 1991, I figured he’d be dead in three or four years. I understand that we’re making tremendous advance in healthcare and slowing HIV patients from developing AIDS but 15 years seems like an awful long time. I’m not wishing anything bad on one of my childhood heroes and I’m glad he’s still here today, but it seems to me Magic is one lucky human being.
But luck really has nothing to do with it. Who needs luck when you have money? I’m sure Magic has the best medicine, treatment, and doctors money can buy. I’m not complaining–it’s his money and he should spend it however he chooses (prolonging your own life is a worthwhile expense in pretty much anyone’s book). But what about the folks without money–are they surviving 15 years after receiving their death sentence? Do they have access to the same medicine, treatment, and doctors?
Of course not.
And that’s the sad part. While Magic was an outstanding ball player, he’s no better or more important than many of the other HIV-infected people out there. It doesn’t seem fair that Magic is given a longer life simply because he can afford it. There are people out there who have to die because they can’t afford whatever it cost to save them. I know not having money can make your life difficult, but being not-rich shouldn’t kill you. Even if those who have money and live a comfortable life, still can’t afford the healthcare Magic gets.
I know this is nothing new: the wealthy have it better all the way around. Better attorneys, better cars, better-looking children. But we’re talking about a person’s life. It’s terrible to think that people are dying when the healthcare is available to prevent it. We’re not talking someplace obscure like Africa. This is America. Two people might even be in the same hospital. But one gets to live and the other gets to die–because the rich man can buy a few extra years.
I don’t have any solutions. I don’t have any answers. This is probably something that will never change. It’s just something to think about.