Last week I started in my new volunteer role at a free healthcare clinic in the area. I was nervous to make the commitment, but that melted away and let my true excitement take over as the night went on. I really had a great time and I can't wait to go back!

I will probably blog about this clinic again - about the patients, the other nurses, the cute 1950's exam tables that probably have more stories to tell than the 1970's decor - but, I'm really excited to write about something else I experienced that first night.

First, I should explain that our governor is proposing that just a tremendous portion of the state's healthcare budget (including MnCare) get cut by nearly $500 million. In response to this proposition, a group of more socially convicted legislators in our area set out to see what sort of affect that would have on our local hospitals and health clinics. While this clinic does not receive funding from the government, it does function as a public health provider in a pretty flawless way. This guy came just to kind of check out what we do and how... who we see and why... etc etc. And, I'm assuming how cutting federal funding will compromise our ability to offer care as it will bring more and more people to our doors.

Well, of course, the director of our clinics came with and asked me to share with this man why I decided to volunteer with this organization. This is when I got really excited - I was able to share with someone (who maybe cared at least a little bit?) why I do what I do and what motivates me. The funny thing is - I actually feel like he was listening! We eventually got to talking about the hospital I work for, since it is one of the hospitals that will get hit hardest with this upcoming budget cut, & I was able to articulate to him why the children we see are unique and special and what budget cuts would do to the care they receive and the quality of life they are therefore able to enjoy (or not enjoy). This is a serious issue, and I actually felt like he understood it. These proposed budget cuts will save the state a large chunk o' change, but will cost the hospitals even more (I think the cuts are to save the state about $500m and will cost hospitals about $700m). Providers will be less able to refer patients to specialists, provide "elective" surgeries (is quality of life elective?), and offer patient resources that can actually help prevent health issues in the first place.

Ok, wait, I didn't really want this blog to get political, because I realize there are going to be people who see the government as not responsible for these things... I understand that there are always many sides to an issue. My point, really, is just to say how excited I was to advocate for my kids! Their little faces are hidden behind the politics of it all and I so appreciated this guys interested. Even if he was just pretending to care - we were all excited to share with someone about the things that give us life. And that is to care of the people who might otherwise be forgotten. Simple as that.

Please don't take that from me, Pawlenty.

ok, no seriously, not trying to be political :-)