Kyle Willis died in Cincinnati from a tooth infection early this month. The 24-year-old father was uninsured and could not afford to have his tooth pulled. He was given a prescription for antibiotics and pain medicine, but was only able to afford one. He chose the pain medicine. The infection subsequently spread to his brain, and killed him.
This story is not, unfortunately, an isolated incident. According to a 2003 study by the U.S. Surgeon General, more than 108 million people in the United States have no dental insurance. The problem has become worse as millions are unemployed, and there are no social safety nets in place to provide medical and dental care for the majority of them.
Despite the Obama administration’s health care reform, we do not have a health care system that puts peoples’ needs ahead of profit. Until we win socialized health care, more people will continue to die due to easily treatable conditions.
