I just read an article in the Sunday, March 30th edition of the New York Times about health insurance parity between medical and psychological maladies.  Our federal government is finally doing what 42 states have already attempted to do, legislating that insurance companies must cover costs for psychological illness to the same amounts as it does medical illness.  Apparently, more and more biological evidence shows that psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia and addiction, are caused by measurable, detectable brain disorder and therefor are "medical" issues.  This evidence is making it difficult to deny people help for psychological challenges, in spite of those who still assert that issues like depression and addiction are just the result of poor decision making.

This reminds me of the ongoing scientific research that is attempting to prove that homosexuality is genetic.  There has been much research done trying to show that being gay is a biological imperative, rather than a choice, so that us queer folk can have equal protection under the law. 

Both of these issues get me more than a bit riled up.  I completely support psychological ailments being treated and covered by insurance to the same degree as physical ailments.  I completely support the legalization of gay marriage, same-sex partners being insured by their spouses health insurance, and any other example of people having equal rights regardless of their orientation (or gender, for that matter).  But I take issue with the establishment's need to justify support for these measures with "physical evidence."  It's like saying, "If you choose to be different, we don't support you, but if you can't help it, well, okay." 

Have you ever made a choice that effected your life in far reaching, deeply felt ways, knowing it wasn't what you wanted, but it was what was expected of you?  Do you remember how it felt?  Are you working a job that leaves you feeling drained and worthless, for instance?  Do you wish you had traveled during your twenties instead of going straight to college and joining the rat race?  Even that party that you went to because your girlfriend really wanted you there that left you wondering what you two have in common anyway...  What I'm getting at is that we all have something inside of us that we could call our personal, "Truth," and when we make choices that go against that Truth, that deny it, that undermine it, it feels BAD.  We are left feeling far from ourselves, confused, wondering who we are, where we're going, what our purpose in life could be.  When we listen to that inner knowing about what is right for us in each moment, we stay close to that Truth and we have a strong sense of self, clarity about what gives our lives meaning.  Is it fair to expect people to "choose" between their own Truth, their sense of self, what makes them feel safe and whole, and what is expected of them by a society that would exclude them for being different, for making their own path?

This is all more in reference to the biological vs. social gay discussion.  In reference to addiction or depression, which many people also see as behavioral issues that come from people making "bad" choices, I would say that when people are compelled to do things that lead to their own destruction, 'something' is wrong.  Does it matter what or why that 'something' is when deciding whether or not to help?  If a person is sad, struggling with deep, unmet needs, confusion, self-hatred, oughtn't we help that person?  We treat medical diseases of lifestyle, like diabetes and heart disease, as though people couldn't help that they got sick, when simple changes in diet could have prevented these diseases, and yet we argue that someone who grew up surrounded by addicts, learning all of the behaviors that go with this disease, having their neurological pathways shaped from a young age, should be able to "choose" something different for themselves.

All of this just points to the deeper issue, the issue I'd much rather be discussing, the issue of supporting one another's well being.  I wish we were talking about why, as a society, we need physical evidence for whether or not a person deserves help.  I wish we were talking about what it would take to become a society that supports the health and well being of each of it's members, whatever that means.  We are individuals.  It means something different to each of us.  But collectively, we have the resources to see that each of us is getting what we need to be healthy, if we make that our priority.  If we stop worrying about just ourselves and start looking out for one another, trusting one another to look out for us, being generous with one another, developing the natural inter-dependence that is modeled for us in nature, quality of life will improve for everyone.

We also need a redefinition of what "healthy" means.  How someone feels about his or her self, whether or not someone is able to have constructive, loving relationships, whether or not someone can find meaning in their work, as well as someone's sense of significance and belonging in their community must all be a part of how we measure health.  A sound body is useless without a sound mind and both are useless if one is excluded by one's society for having a unique Truth. 

I hope that in these years to come, as we continue working toward a collaborative, embracing, global community of humanity, we will begin to find ways to support one another's health in all of the many ways we each feel challenged, whether one faces physical challenges, emotional challenges, social challenges, spiritual challenges, or even vocational challenges.  We all know what each of these feels like and we all know how horrible it is to suffer alone.  We all know what it means to need help.  And we all know how good it feels to offer it. 

I feel blessed to be building a community with you all in which we can acknowledge these parts of ourselves and contribute to one another's lives in meaningful ways.  I look forward to the day when we take care of each and every one of our fellow human beings, in community.


Posted on 4/2/08; 11:27:36 AM