Yesterday we took James to the Urgent Care Center for a sinus infection. It was a not a trip we were looking forward to, seeing as how we don't have any health insurance. Here is what happened: We went in, filled out a few forms and proceeded to then wait for 1 1/2 hours. During this time, James of course became very tired, bored, frustrated and began to scream. I told Jay maybe it was better if he screamed because they might get so sick of us maybe we would get a room sooner. Sensing that we had been cooling our heels long enough the staff showed us into a room where we waited for another hour. FINALLY a doctor showed up, looked at James for five minutes and spent most of that time telling us to put vaseline on the rash on his face. (DUH!) But we did get the prescription we needed. This whole process cost us about $100.
The point of this story is to illustrate the massive problems in our healthcare system. Our evening was very typical, especially for those who do not have healthcare. The real kicker is, James doesn't even have a regular doctor I could make an appointment with because I can't find a doctor who will take kids without health insurance. The health care system in this country makes me so mad I just want to kick and scream. Our family and millions of other families in America are in this situation. Fortunately for us we do not have to choose between going to the doctor and paying the heating bill or putting food on the table. Even so, we couldn't really afford it. Yet another bill on the credit card.
I just can't believe people pay that kind of money to talk to a doctor for FIVE MINUTES!! Especially since I knew what was wrong with him, and I knew exactly what would be prescribed. Jay seemed especially irritated by the doctor's diamond watch ;)
All the Republicans seem to think that the idea of free-enterprise medicine is what makes this country great and medicine so innovative. Republican politicians also by and large come from wealthy patrician families and have never gone a day in their lives without healthcare. I could not believe Bush vetoed the bill to extend Medicaid to more children, claiming it was a step toward socialized medicine. Boo to socialized medicine!!! (Incidentally I think the socialized medicine is a great idea) James could have health insurance right now if that bill had passed.
Ok, I realize this blog is a little rambling, but I am just venting my frustration on how out of touch with reality Republican politicians are and how totally f**cked up the healthcare system is. Pardon the language but aren't you glad I edited it?
(Pardon to the doctors out there reading this. No, I don't hate doctors specifically and I don't think they are grossly overpaid, (maybe just a little overpaid) I really blame the insurance and pharmaceutical companies and general corporate greed)
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