Modern medicine and the latest technology can save many lives. If you live in a country where healthcare is readily available and accessible, then your chances of recovering from illnesses or accidents are very good. But for many people in the US who are uninsured (无保险的), they can’t afford these new medical treatments. That’s why Doctor Demetrio Aguila in Norfolk lets poor patients pay for surgery (外科手术) through volunteer work.
“For years I had been doing surgery for patients and taking care of their health problems. Then I would find out months later, sometimes years later, that I had caused their financial ruin,” Aguila said. Serious illnesses can completely deplete a family’s savings, leaving them no choice but to go bankrupt (破产).
Then he formed Healing Hands M25 as a way to give poor patients the medical fees they need by donating their time to community service. The process is pretty simple. They practice partners with local charitable organizations. The patient picks the charity and donates his time and sweat; Aguila determines the amount of volunteer hours the patient has to complete. “We’ve lowered the cost of healthcare. We’ve made it fair for everybody involved,” Aguila said.
The first patient to participate in the program was Jeffrey Jenson who worked for 560 hours to pay for surgery on his leg. Jenson asked his friends and family to help him complete the hours. Jenson said that his volunteer work greatly affected his life as much as the surgery. “The M25 program is not about money — it’s about if people come together to help other people, then the community becomes better,” said Jenson.
This program is a big win for the patients, the local community, and Dr Aguila who knows he has done everything he could to help his patients.
6. How does Aguila make poor patients pay for surgery?
A.In cash. | B.Through an insurance company. |
C.By doing volunteer work. | D.By serving the doctor. |
7. What does the underlined word “deplete” in paragraph 2 mean?
A.Set aside. | B.Use up. | C.Cut down. | D.Add to. |
8. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?
A.What Healing Hands M25 does. |
B.How Healing Hands M25 works. |
C.Why Aguila runs Healing Hands M25. |
D.Why patients choose Healing Hands M25. |
9. What is Jenson’s attitude towards the M25 program?
A.Positive. | B.Negative. | C.Objective. | D.Unconcerned. |