"Screw Joe Stevenson...he knew the risks"
I recently read an article on mmajunkie.com about UFC fighter Joe Stevenson seeking medical care in Tijuana.
Joe “Daddy” participated in TUF 2, fought BJ Penn for the title and performed in more than 10 UFC fights. I suggest that most would agree (fan of his or not) that Joe has paid his dues in the octagon.
So why was he in TJ seeking x-rays for his bum knee?
No health insurance.
The UFC, as most MMA promotional organizations, are required to provide fight night insurance and to varying degrees cover injuries sustained that night…nothing more.
So he chose to go south of the border in order to save money. What did he get for his hard earned cash?
He got knee x-rays and an inappropriate and misinformed diagnosis by a technician not a doctor and certainly not an orthopedic surgeon. X-ray technicians are trained to perform an x-ray not evaluate (read) it. Nor do they attend medical school, residency or fellowships in hopes of one day providing a useful diagnosis.
FYI- x-rays are not used to diagnose or image LCL or PCL tears. Clinical exams and MRI’s are used to evaluate those types of ligamentous injuries.
I hope that Joe “Daddy” got more in TJ than just suspect medical care.
Not so long ago, I sparked a lively debate when I took the temperature of the MMA faithful when I asked if we/they would be willing to voluntarily donate (redundant) a dollar to a medical fund for injured UFC fighters who could not afford proper medical care. I suggested, once again a donation which is very different than a tax (involuntary…once again redundant), to be added to the ppv fee as merely a simple means to collect said funds.
No sooner did the article post the venom spewed…to my dismay.
There exists a significant very vocal cadre of fans that generally feels “Screw’em… I pay too much already”!
The wealthiest and most financially able promoters will not cover these elite athletes and their families that depend on them with adequate basic health insurance. Many fans say “screw our heroes…they know the risks, are irresponsible and no one pays my bills”.
So an honorable athlete like Joe Stevenson leaves it all in the octagon for our enjoyment and catches a ride to TJ for substandard but less expensive medical care…my conscience tells me that there must be a better way.
Couldn't agree more.
I'm honestly blown away that people are so indifferent to the fighters physical plight. Maybe they've never suffered a serious physical injury. Or maybe they just don't get that a serious injury can be the end of a fighter's career. Who knows.
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..wow..
I have your blog bookmarked, you provide me with enjoyment. Should I donate a dollar to you for your medical care? Kind of a Black'n'White response I know...but..C'MON!.. Really?! I hope this article and the posts/responses you've received from it help you realize that you're far from the same level that the majority of fans are on.
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I'm surprised that we're not discussing the fact that other pro sports provide no cost health insurance to their players even in the minor leagues. To me the question is why should MMA promotions, as employers be allowed not to provide health insurance. There are some real problems with the structure of MMA as a business. Baseball exists with a congressionally-approved monopoly exemption, wherein players are allowed to unionize and have collective bargaining. It seems like we're essentailly in need of the same thing. The UFC strives to be a monopoly, which has been good for the sport, but without athletic unions, the league takes far too much of the financial pie.
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