While this month is the 17th anniversary of the C.A.R.E. Channel and Healing HealthCare Systems, it is also the 17th anniversary of the last best effort to reform a healthcare system that was then declared broken. Although the critics have analyzed Hillary Clinton’s errors in process and have tried to lay singular blame for why nothing happened, the reality is that all debates about economic process in relationship to healthcare are major distractions from the issue of providing healthcare to every man, woman, child, elder, rich and poor, old and young, employed or otherwise.

Personally, I am familiar with the ways distractions disrail debate. Anything to end the discussion in ways that prevent in depth conversation and accountability. That seems to be what is going on right now. I am hopeful, however, that the situation has become dire enough to push through the rhetorical wall. A system that does not provide care, kills. This healthcare system, as it stands, is lethal.

Nonetheless, in the 17 years since Dallas and I dreamed up a way serve patients at the bedside, healthcare has certainly reformed, transformed, moved closer to looking at the patient as a human experience rather than a diagnosis. Far from perfect or consistent, the fact that our work is now serving patients and families in close to 500 hospitals is evidence of this profound change. When we started, it was clear that there was no money, no budget, no understanding of why nature and music were as needed as clean water, clean air. While Florence Nightingale had long ago identified the human needs, her words and policies has been buried beneath progressive science, antibiotics, and what is called “modern medicine.” Nonetheless, we persevered knowing that, as we were told, the challenges for patients are at three in the morning, when the lights are out, the staff is less, when the world is sleeping, and when the patient is most alone.

So, here we are 2009. 17 years later and feeling as driven and passionate and committed as we did in 1992. I have no words to express how grateful I am to have a mission incomplete. I love the work and the work will never be done. I love the people I work with, the hospitals who take on this challenge, and the other missionaries who walk as nurses, physicians, therapists, chaplains, volunteers…who know that serving patients is so much more than treating them.

If there is any truth that can be claimed regarding healthcare and the costs it may be that we can neither afford to have it or not have it. That we cannot afford to pay the current tab on the wages or profits being made by most Americans (not counting the most wealthy whose healthcare will never be dependent on cost).

Yes, we are going through most difficult times for so many, but not all. The insurance and health care issue, however, long predates this recession. It is at least 17 years old and getting older. It is actually as old as the first patient and family that were denied care, were turned away from a hospital or emergency room, and as old as the first infant who died because the mother could not afford prenatal care.

I remain hopeful and grateful and driven and passionate.