in case you don't know about holes in the system

[Jzmackenzie]

How about we make a realistic comparison? Let us not be overly critical about globally failing health systems; the outcome in Mexico is not an isolated problem.

I assure you that if I called Texas V.A. today to say that my Vietnam Veteran husband with service-connected disabilities needed to see a doctor for depression, a verified "existing condition," I would be told to bring him to McAllen in October or later. It takes 3 to 6 months to get an assured appointment.

Yes, an "emergency" visit is an option (possibly only to renew medication), but to actually see a qualified mental health professional will take 3 to 6 months in the USA at a veteran's health service center. My father, a veteran of Korea and WWII, and my uncle a veteran of Vietnam, were simply told "Keep a stiff upper lip" when they asked for assistance in that arena.

The best option is to do all we can to prevent illness: mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual. Then, if the worse happens, ask for help and be grateful if any is located in time to make the situation more acceptable. My years on this planet have taught me that there are only "magic pills" in fairy tales, the rest of us just muddle through the best we can in any number of circumstances.

I wish you the best of care, but do not expect that to happen anytime soon.