"It's Easier for the Mentally Ill to get a Gun than Adequate Health Care"

I agree that it is easier to purchase a gun than to receive adequate health care. In my line of work I have to Baker Act people on a some what normal basis. When I do I take them to a government funded mental health facility. In my job I also have contact with the people I've Baker Acted after they were released on a some what regular basis. The majority I talk to all agree that the care they received was not sufficient. Some even say it made things worse. Then again this is coming from the horses mouth and they are the ones in there in the first place. I can only go on what I'm told.

Another observation. Depending on the situation I will sometimes give the person the opportunity to go to the facility voluntarily in lieu of being Baker Acted. In that case I usually drive them there to make sure they do attempt to receive care. A majority of the time when I go the person is told there is no room for immediate care, and are wait listed. Sometimes for a month! Keep in mind the population of the city I work in is approximately 100,000. I couldn't imagine the wait list in a larger city. I don't know what the solution to the problem is.

Not only is it easier to purchase a gun than to receive proper mental health care, it is much cheaper. The Tuscon shooter was expelled from college for his mental instability, maybe if we had a universal health care system he could have been treated before this. Someone like him may not think he has a problem but I do believe they can be lured into seeing a specialist if they think they will be able to get prescription drugs of their choice. Kind of sickening to think about but I do want to express my opinion on here.

reply to post by ladyinwaiting


It is interesting to note that to own a gun is a right but we have no constitutionaly valid claim to healthcare.....but don't get me wrong, if some people have guns, then I want the right to own one too....

Originally posted by punctual
reply to post by ladyinwaiting

 

It is interesting to note that to own a gun is a right but we have no constitutionaly valid claim to healthcare.....but don't get me wrong, if some people have guns, then I want the right to own one too....

it's a neat point you make here, but the chain of logic you created won't hold the weight of the evidence.

The American bill of rights has as it's second amendment the right to private ownership of arms was a mandate and an absolute, by virtue of the words "shall not be infringed."

conversely, there is not an individual amendment that comes close to mandating an absolute of "health care."

some might argue that the statement of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as concurrently applied with the "general welfare" clause should account for government run health care; however, a health care mandate by congress, paid for by the taxpayer, would suggest a very specific application to all individuals without absolute mandate in the constitution itself, as is the second amendment.