A question of priorities
Twas the night before dentist...
Yesterday I saw a young woman in her twenties with toothache. Indeed, her tooth was decayed and probably quite painful; I was happy to treat her discomfort. She had attempted to go to an urgent care, but could not be seen without a co-pay. Her father, in attendance, was angry that Medicaid patients could be seen at the urgent care without any co-pay. So far, so good. I understood his frustration. It seems the reward for obtaining insurance is more delays and a kind of subtle prosperity punishment.
However, what caught my attention was her father’s subsequent remark: ‘I mean, especially now, after Christmas, it’s hard to pay a co-pay!’
Let that sink in for a moment. Granted, I love to spend money on gifts. At Christmas, I probably spend too much, as many Americans do. But the implication of my patient’s father was that when one desires to spend discretionary income, it shouldn’t be impeded at all by the necessity of spending money on mundane issues like co-pays. And providers should understand that!
Where did we get that idea? I don’t know, but the philosophy seems to lie beneath so much of our discussion of reform. No one should have to spend ‘their own money,’ on healthcare. That’s the general belief. Patients have said as much to me. ‘I had to spend my own money on my prescription, can you believe it?’
It’s always better, I suppose, to spend someone else’s money on healthcare. Or to receive healthcare from doctors who are understanding enough not to expect you to spend your own money on healthcare. Especially doctors nice enough, in their obviously vast wealth, to give healthcare for free.
I’m happy with the living I make. I’m enormously blessed on many levels, including the material. But I am troubled by the direction we are taking as a nation when we consider discretionary income, income spent on entertainment or pleasure, to take priority over money spent for necessities.
Toothache versus Christmas presents? Tough call. But let’s be reasonable.
Edwin
Wish I had written this – my sentiments exactly!
Kim,
Thanks!
Happy New Year!
Ed
Ditto what Kim said.
be careful of judgement
Several years ago, I remember reading an interview of a Catholic physician-priest who cared for the poor. His clinic required a co-pay. When the interviewer questioned this policy, the priest said that it was important to attach some value to the visit.
Recently, I spent time caring for the Mayan Indians in Guatemala, and our medical mission followed a similar policy.
I agree with you, Edwin.
I have long felt that people have become totally detached from the money that is spend on health care, like it is invisible. In fact, to go further, I think it is invisible when people are thinking of their spending plans and budget. It’s not that they made bad priorities beforehand. It’s that they did even think to set money aside for this use.
I pay for all my own medications and I planned accordingly. One thing I did was chance to generics so I can get them at the $4 discount many retailers are doing. I did this in consultation with my pcp. My total prescription budget: about $30–two BP meds and Synthroid. You see, I’m spending my money.
The problem: It’s all our money in the end whether directly out of our pocket, from our insurance company or from “Obama’s stash.”
RKM is hilarious! Love it!
Goldman Sachs sold 44% of its BP holdings on March 31st, 20 days before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Lucky move. Click on my name to see the financial report from MSN.