John Wiley Price Feels Deceased Ebola Patient’s Dark Skin And Lack Of Insurance Is Why He Was Sent Home. Federal Investigation To Come?
John Wiley Price had tough words for Dallas medical officials following the news of Ebola patient Thomas Duncan’s death.
As reported by the Inquisitr, the 42-year-old man passed away early Wednesday morning at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
This same hospital released Duncan days before he was correctly diagnosed with Ebola. It is an act that has come under fire as potentially contributing to dozens getting exposed to the deadly virus.
According to John Wiley Price, the medical staff made the decision to release Duncan because of his dark skin and lack of health insurance.
“If a person who looks [black] like me shows up without any insurance, they don’t get the same treatment.”
John Wiley Price joined civil rights activist Jesse Jackson in alleging racial and class discrimination.
Jackson went as far as to suggest the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital gave the Liberia-born man the most “cursory” of examinations before his initial release.
The hospital recently responded to accusations about their initial treatment of Thomas Duncan:
“He was treated the way any other patient would have been treated, regardless of nationality or ability to pay for care. We have a long history of treating a multicultural community in this area.”
The medical facility may still find itself answering to state and federal authorities. It’s being reported that officials at both levels are considering a full investigation into the conduct of hospital staff.
John Wiley Price and Jesse Jackson are but a few who’ve voiced concerns at the racist and xenophobic tone in ongoing Ebola discussion.
TRENDING: How Racism and Greed Have Kept the World from an Ebola Cure – Atlanta Blackstar http://t.co/4nzwBoGfvO pic.twitter.com/vjPIqe2rQj
— hypervocal (@hypervocal) September 21, 2014
As for Duncan’s experiences, Price said possible discrimination suffered by the deceased patient is the “elephant in the room.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins did not want to broach the subject of racism and classism as it relates to Ebola. He instead encouraged John Wiley Price to focus on the containment of the Ebola virus and safety of Texans.
This recent comment by John Wiley Price will no doubt spur debate, but it’s not the first time he’s drawn public criticism for his blunt commentary. Three years ago, Price informed five citizens that they were “white” and could therefore “go to Hell.”
A few months ago John was indicted on bribery charges. It’s an accusation that has stunned members of the Dallas community. Despite heavy pressure to remove him, Price refuses to resign.
It’s clear that legal troubles will not prevent Price from speaking out on matters of social inequality.
If he is correct and Thomas Duncan was mistreated because of social discrimination, it could have a resounding impact on the American medical community.
Is John Wiley Price right to say racism and or lack of insurance played a role in Thomas Duncan’s early medical treatment?
[Image via Amanda Fitzpatrick]
