Posted on 10/02/2009 8:32:37 AM PDT by Bigun
I learned a lot about the cost of health care when I had a hybrid general surgery practice in California 's rural San Joaquin Valley. My practice consisted of uninsured women with breast cancer combined with a smaller percentage of cosmetic patients whose cash payments for "vanity care" subsidized the treatment of women unable to pay for needed medical treatment.
Although patients seeking cosmetic services tend to be healthy, I evaluated them like any other patient. I asked about medical history, allergies, medications and genetic disorders.
Upon questioning Sherry S., a pretty 46-year-old seeking wrinkle relief, I learned that four of her immediate family members had been diagnosed with breast or colon cancer before the age of 50. Alarmed, I asked why she had not had the recommended screening mammogram for more than four years.
She said that she knew already that her risk for developing breast cancer was likely higher than that of most women.
"But I don't have insurance," she replied.
A screening mammogram could be obtained for about $90 and was discounted or free at local facilities every October for "Breast Cancer Awareness Month."
She smiled when I proposed a deal: if she were to get a screening mammogram within sixty days of her treatment, I would offer a discount on what she paid me for cosmetic services.
"I'll think about it," she said, then shelled out over $400 for BotoxTM injections that took me ten minutes to administer...
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
These are the twits that think everyone else should foot the bill for their health care. What about the rest of us who carry health insurance and do without the finer things in life? Why should we have to pay for those who choose toys over healthcare?
Excellent question! Why should we?
Along the same vein, I talked to a pharmacist last week who works at a clinic in our downtown. He said that patients are only asked to pay $1-$2 for their prescriptions. He gets enraged because people will come up to the window and say they don’t have the money to pay a few dollars, yet will have fake nails, a state of the art cell phone, or a bottle of coke they just bought for $1.50 at the convenience store. The pharmacist then MUST GIVE THEM the prescription for free!
Along the same vein, I talked to a pharmacist last week who works at a clinic in our downtown. He said that patients are only asked to pay $1-$2 for their prescriptions. He gets enraged because people will come up to the window and say they don’t have the money to pay a few dollars, yet will have fake nails, a state of the art cell phone, or a bottle of coke they just bought for $1.50 at the convenience store. The pharmacist then MUST GIVE THEM the prescription for free!
I have seen all of these things with the medical cards and with food stamps. Also, most of them have FAT kids. My dad was “poor” as a kid, and he and his brothers were skinny. My husband was poor and was skinny. Many poor families receiving food stamps are fat- they have bigger food budgets than I do, especially once you include free breakfast and lunch in school. My kids are slim (not malnourished/underweight). I was at the doctor’s office getting a physical for my daughter and a little boy there was obese- and his mom was giving the receptionist his medical coupon.
That reminds me of the ldy at the Dr’s office the last time I was there. She was wanting free diabetic supplies because she’s spent all of her money, then went on to ask what she should see on her trip to the west coast last this month?
His medical school class started going into poor neighborhoods handing out vouchers for free physicals. They waited for the rush of people to come in to their free clinic. It didn't happen. Later they found out that most of the people who got the vouchers sold them on the street for a pack of cigarettes. They found them in trash cans and crumpled up on the streets.
This began my dad's journey from a committed leftist to an outspoken conservative.
My wife is a breast cancer survivor (8 years now) and is on her way to the “Race For the Cure” on Sunday. She’s going to have a few copies of this in her backpack for handouts!
Makes you SICK doesn’t it?
Excellent!
For the same reason that when you buy food at a grocery store the price will include theft and spoilage values. It is part of the cost of doing business
I don’t care if someone doesn’t want to carry health insurance. I do care if the government starts mandating all of it. ( they already mandate in certain states and the feds mandate ER care as a must——even if you are not an emergency but just happen to walk in)
Part of the free enterprize system is that people get to make their own choices.
Note that no where in here does this surgeon say that these people went on to get sick and have everyone else pay for them. If sick they may well have paid out of pocket.
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I’m sending this article to Sens DeMint, Chambliss, Isakson, McConnell and Kyl.
Why would someone who paid for a voucher with a pack of cigarettes then throw it away? Your story doesn’t add up.
Good!
I’ve already sent it to Cornyn and Huthinson!
Outstanding article.
They didn’y buy them they “sold” them to other people for a pack of cigs
We are on the same page....singing the same song
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