AGREE or DISAGREE? Discuss this story here, where the author, Veneta Masson, will answer your questions.
 
Veneta Masson is a nurse practitioner and writer living in Washington, D.C. Her most recent book is a collection of poetry, Clinician’s Guide to the Soul (Sage Femme Press, 2008).
This essay from October’s edition of Health Affairs, is available at www.healthaffairs.org

The Narrative Matters section of Health Affairs publishes personal essays, based on firsthand encounters, that carry a health policy message. These “policy narratives,” a form of literary nonfiction, link a story or anecdote to the big picture. See the full list of published stories at http://www.healthaffairs.org/NM.php. Narrative Matters is published with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.