A D’var Torah by Rabbi Natalie Louise Shribman for Parshat Mishpatim
As a hospital chaplain, every patient is at first a stranger and then a friend. They become part of me as I visit with them and their families, holding their hands and offering reassurance, hugs, and a caring presence. Recently, a family I met with unexpectedly lost their father. According to the family, he had been improving, but then was given the wrong kind of bed and medicine, and the next morning, he was gone. The family kept repeating, “He has been a patient here for years, and yet they treated him like a stranger.”
The law not to oppress the stranger isn’t new to us — it’s mentioned in the Torah 36 times, suggesting that if we respect the stranger, both of our lives can be improved. Often, the Hebrew word, ger, can be understood to mean “foreigner” or “immigrant.” Our Torah portion, Mishpatim, explicates many necessary laws for Moses to give the people as they are traveling in the desert to the Promised Land. Exodus 23:9 reads, “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” This verse reminds me that my experience helps me have compassion towards others.
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When sitting with a patient or family member whom I have just met, I often think about my experience as a patient to help guide our conversation and to create a connection. With the family mentioned above, they were incensed and felt betrayed by their healthcare system. I gave them space to complain confidentially, closing the door and telling the medical personnel to wait to come in until the family was ready. On their way out, I gave them information for the patient experience line to formally report their complaints.
Unfortunately, this family is one of many who are frustrated by the healthcare system in this country and feel ignored, blamed, or victimized. Some feel a loss of control, and others feel overwhelmed and frustrated by confusing medical language, wait times, or medical bills. All of these feelings can make us feel like strangers.
Adrienne Haslet, who was injured in the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013, was interviewed for a New York Times opinion piece, “How Much Does Your M.R.I. Cost? Buy it First to Find Out,” in August of 2022. She and other speakers helped raise awareness for price transparency in the medical field. Martin Schoeller, photographer for this piece, talked about how debilitating medical bills can be, from giving birth to what should have been a simple doctor’s visit. On January 1, 2021, the United States government’s Hospital Price Transparency rule went into effect, requiring hospitals to give clear information about medical bills. However, 86 percent of hospitals in the United States aren’t complying with government requirements. Hospitals have successfully concealed prices from patients, medical staff, and even the government, allowing the prices to continually increase even with insurance. Schoeller argues that “profits are being put before patients and patients are being financially destroyed.” People can no longer just focus on recovering from the illness or grief they are going through. This is another way we are being treated like strangers in our healthcare system.
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It shouldn’t have to be this way. Being blindsided by sky-high prices forces us to advocate for ourselves in addition to healing. I recommend leaning on support staff at hospitals, such as chaplains and social workers, when addressing these concerns. In addition, before contacting your insurance, reach out to your hospital’s patient experience department to access more information about medical bills and to make your needs heard. We have to make ourselves known within medical systems and insurance companies to access justice — we can no longer afford to be strangers within the healthcare system.
Rabbi Natalie Louise Shribman is a chaplain for the Marshfield Clinic Health System in Marshfield, Wisconsin. She is the rabbi for Temple Sholom in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Rabbi Natalie lives in Wausau, Wisconsin.