Posted on 01/06/2009 3:03:15 PM PST by lakeprincess
A tough economy has created a health hazard of its own. Strapped for cash, thousands of Americans are skipping medication doses, shunning doctor visits and forgoing diagnostic tests to save money. It's sickening. For real.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Certainly it would be much better if we mandated nationalized health care for everyone...
But are we to the “eating pet food” stage yet??? Poor granny is eating Fluffy’s cat food and poor Fluffy is on kitty welfare.
Dead serious here: I personally know of one person that stopped taking their multiple prescribed meds and got better!
Significantly so.
Permanently.
It is a problem for older folks on limited income. Especially at the beginning of the year when they have to pay for medications out of pocket until they meet their deductibles.
I will be honest, I skipped my 40 y/o baselines and cut out 1 prescription per month. I have insurance, but I am just cutting back, prudently. I have been tempted to go to the doctor with this shimmering vision, but I am gonna give it 6 months and see if it improves before a panicky and costly visit to the doc. Growing up, we only went to the doctor when necessary, like 1 time every two years.
While there *are* folks that do indeed require more medical intervention than others, there are plenty of folks that visit docs for a common cold, small splinter or some other minor upset.
I know of one woman who complains about no $ to visit the doc and yet she gets her nails done 2x a month ($40), a pedicure once a month ($25), hair done once a month (cut and weave $120), goes out to lunch on a regular basis ($$$) and is planning a vacation to another part of the nation ($$$). Well, the nails and hair alone are $185 a month - $2,220 a year. um. I think she can afford a few tests.
eye rollage.
As to those who ***truly*** have difficulty paying for Rx and tests, make your need known. There *are* folks willing to help. There *are* docs willing to lessen the fees.
What’s wrong with the so-called ‘goodwill war’? You can get $4 Scrips even if you have insurance.
If you need a mammogram or a follow-up procedure, and can’t afford it, there’s the Susan G. Komen foundation that will issue vouchers for procedures your doctor has ordered. Even check up mammograms. For nothing.
These things require that a person take responsibility for their own health, and ask for help if they need it. Many are simply not willing to do that.
I have asked for cheap and lower fees and shopped around for 20 years. I just signed up with Walgreen’s to get a prescription deal for the family (regular blood pressure and thyroid meds), and it should save us at least $400/year. My dentists take payments. I use my credit card when necessary.
In Washington DC the grocery store, Giant, is giving away FREE antibiotics for the next 3 months.
Free.....that’s a good price!
People are overmedicated anyway. They think they need all that junk because they believe what they seen in the TV ads.
***Growing up, we only went to the doctor when necessary***
Exactly.
My daughter has a condition where intramuscular injections are required each month...to the tune of about $1250 each month if one doesn’t have insurance. This year we only paid $30 each month but now we have a different insurance and will be paying about $1750 for year ($145 a month). I’m thankful we can provide for her needs.
I remember a good twenty years ago, some idiot called in to a radio talk show to proclaim his support for free medical care. He bitterly complained that it was unavailable.
The talk show host then asked him whether he made too much money for the free State provided health care. No, he was poor enough. So the host then asked him if he was receiving any other benefits that would prevent him from getting it. No, he replied.
So are you handicapped or can’t get a ride to get treatment?, asked the now puzzled talk show host. No, no problem there, replied the caller.
So why don’t you get free health care?, asked the talk show host.
I don’t think it’s right that I should have to go there to get it. They should come to my apartment, make house calls, said the caller, at some length, very bitter that he had to actually do anything at all instead of just being waited on.
“It is a problem for older folks on limited income”
You know what really hurts them? Printing money willy-nilly to distribute amongst ailing industries.
Probably one of the dumbest ideas ever.
I don’t agree with the others on this thread who think skipping meds is a good idea, but antibiotics as they are being used/abused is very dangerous. Leads to “super bugs.”
Well, the antibiotics must be prescribed, Giant isn’t giving them out without scripts. If a doctor considers them needed, I think I can trust their medical training.
“National health insurance” will solve this problem, as medication and treatments will eventually be strictly rationed and the media will never report on it.
The people in this article will not have pills to take, or appointments to cancel, because the government will say it’s not necessary.
But we’ll all have “health care!”
ugh.
Gotta admit, I will readily skip a DR visit, if it means my son can get treatment.
And I have.
Here’s one study. Google “over prescribed antibiotics” and you’ll see the problem.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920072119.htm
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.