I found myself being so thankful that we have good health insurance. I guess I always have been thankful, but what I have seen this week really hit home for me about those who don't have it.

It has been truly eye-opening on this country's priorities, on the importance and value the country's leaders in both parties place on taking care of the health care needs of its citizens.

My husband was taken by ambulance to the emergency room the first of the week. The ambulance crew was swift, courteous, thorough. But the problems started at the ER admittance. There is no criticism in what I say for any nurses or doctors, the criticism is aimed at the administrative system. The systems in place reflect the attitude and mindset of the country's leaders.

Through the years I have been to our hospital's ER to admit family members. Our children had the typical scary moments as they were growing up. I was responsible for seeing to the health needs of both my parents before they passed on. But I have never seen anything like what I saw this week.

My husband was in the ER over 12 hours though he was admitted by ambulance as a true emergency. I arrived there an hour after they took him in. This is a huge emergency room. It is used as well for the medical needs of those without health insurance or access to health care. I think many ERs are used that way now. It is a good thing there is something for the uninsured.

As I walked in my first impression was being overwhelmed. The whole ER waiting room was packed, every seat filled, aisles so crowded one could not walk through with finding a detour. There were those standing in the background. The two desks were trying to triage the ones who were needing the most urgent help. I saw some folks I knew, kids I had taught years ago. I talked to them briefly on my way back to see hubby. They have been out of work, no insurance, no way to see doctors....two said they had been sitting there 8 hours. They were way down the line.

Did I mention this was the middle of the day?

I realized how fortunate that I could walk up the ER desk leading to the clinic part and go back there. Through the door to the clinic proper, which one can not enter without an arm band, the effect is equally devastating.

The hallways were packed with beds and people in wheelchairs in various stages of treatment. I saw an old friend who had been back there for hours. It was hard to walk down the hallway.

We were lucky. Hubby was right away put in a bed in the emergency wing of the ER, reserved for those brought in by ambulance with complaints that had been decided to be legitimate emergencies. Consider that description...the "emergency wing" of the Emergency Room.

He was in that room for 12 hours. To his credit the ER doctor began tests within an hour or so. When I say ER doctor, I mean that to be in the singular, not plural. There was one doctor who had to assign these cases to other doctors. So at least tests were done. No one checked in on him though, and I had to tell them when he had a serious problem occurring. There was no buzzer, so I had to run to the desk. They immediately got the situation under control.

What if I had not been there?

There were no pillows, no blankets in that freezing room...in fact I learned you have to ask for a blanket. Pillows were non-existent. When I went to the desk again, they brought him a heated blanket promptly.

When I left after several hours, and his situation was reduced to waiting for a doctor to admit him.....the massive numbers of people in the ER in the clinic part and in the waiting room had not changed one bit. One nurse confided to me that there were only four nurses on duty that day. She said we care but there are so few of us.

He has gotten the best treatment since he got in his room, considering it is a holiday week. I have the utmost admiration for nurses and doctors and all the aides who come in during the day. They are cheerful and gracious under difficult circumstances.

I do not have much admiration for those who are messing around with the health care reform, confusing us with their messages.

They should have walked through the ER with me this week, they should have seen and talked to these people.

I later talked to the head of the ER and asked some very hard questions. I asked why was it treated so casually that an emergency brought in by ambulance had to wait twelve hours to be admitted. She started explaining and excusing. Some of it I understood. She said the clinic where our general practioner is wanted to bring in other doctors from the clinic for diagnosis. I have no gripe with that, it's a good clinic.

At the end I asked her if she realized she had been trying to pretend it was okay for an emergency patient to have to wait 12 hours for admittance. She asked if it really sounded that way. I said yes.

I told her that when we reached a level where that was acceptable, then something was very wrong. Actually she agreed.

Did I tell you this is one of the largest, most complete, most respected hospitals in Florida? Well-known and respected doctors. Well-equipped clinics and laboratories.

But the hospital is willing to put profit above putting enough staff in place.