Category Archives: Reflection

The Idaho Herd

Posted on March 24, 2021 by ddxdx

Despite the behavior of most Idaho legislators, not wearing masks, umbrage about social distancing, it seems many Idahoans have taken COVID seriously. Folks are getting immunized. So far, about 22% of the state’s population, 372K people have received an immunization. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Idaho Politics, Reflection | Comments Off

Rationing Health Care

Posted on December 3, 2020 by ddxdx

Earlier this month, as the curve of Covid cases climbed nationally, but specifically, here in Idaho, hospital officials warned of the possibility of rationing health care. Some hospitals have closed their ICUs and diverted patients, and had significant trouble finding … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Policy, Reflection | Comments Off

Inspiration

Posted on July 8, 2020 by ddxdx

I was mostly tired in medical school, not inspired. But I remember one small part of just one of hundreds of lectures and it has stuck with me to this day. It was the mid 1980’s and Medicare had instituted … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Reflection | Comments Off

When Compassion Fails

Posted on June 3, 2020 by ddxdx

It was near the end of my three-year residency. I had gotten up after midnight to admit an elderly woman complaining of headache. The ER had given her large doses of narcotics to help her pain, and they depressed her … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Comments Off

Response to Protest

Posted on May 6, 2020 by ddxdx

There were pictures of armed protesters in the Michigan state capitol last week. They came to publicly disagree with governor-ordered restrictions on activity in response to the ongoing viral pandemic. No shots were fired, but the internet flamed with outrage. … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Reflection | Comments Off

Confronting Loyalty

Posted on January 16, 2019 by ddxdx

It can be hard to confront a colleague with their misbehavior. I’ve done it a time or two and it sure got me to thinking about my loyalties. When I chose to act, it was out of a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Comments Off

Lost Dogs and Outrage

Posted on January 9, 2019 by ddxdx

My daughters don’t use Facebook. They have their reasons, and I agree with most of them: waste of time, privacy, concern for the level of conversation. So, I was a bit surprised when I got a text from a daughter … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Suicide in Idaho

Posted on December 12, 2018 by ddxdx

A man I knew well and considered a friend killed himself this last week. The feelings that wash over us survivors might mirror the feelings of the victim: anger, sadness, despair, failure. I will admit to all those. I imagine … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Policy, Reflection | Comments Off

Humbly Thankful

Posted on November 28, 2018 by ddxdx

The turkey and dressing leftovers may be gone but the time for thankfulness is not over. It’s a blessed day in Idaho when the sun sets westward and we draw comfort that it will rise again. Such blessings are symbolized … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Idaho Politics, Reflection | Comments Off

My First Bill

Posted on January 12, 2018 by ddxdx

I learned about politics and civility my first year in the Idaho legislature. If one doesn’t pay attention it can seem brutal. The state and the nation were facing the 2010 downturn, so budget cuts were proposed to Medicaid. … Continue reading →