I want to provide some clarification about my recent healthcare related posts. I worry that in my attempt to tell the stories with a bit of humor, I may have been overly broad with the tar, as it were. In addition, I didn’t consider the folks that hadn’t read the earlier stories, (here and here if you’re interested) as I wrapped-up on Saturday.
First off, I am feeling fine. My hearing has improved, my head wound is healing nicely and my doctor refilled my prescription for the only NSAID I can use, Voltaren cream.
As before, I had to explain how I’m allergic to some NSAIDs but not this one, and this time I had to argue to get the real stuff, not a generic. When you have allergies, you want to stick with what works. So, just like the previous time, I had to pay for this out-of-pocket. And, just like the previous time, I didn’t care.
More importantly, I want to make sure people understand that my recent posts weren’t meant to be a sweeping condemnation of healthcare in general. The healthcare providers I have encountered during the past few months have been wonderful. This includes, but is not limited to:
The woman at my doctor’s office who refused to send me to Cranston, RI for an MRI and alerted me to that fact that my insurance company might consider the radiology clinic five miles from my house to be out-of-network. If you’re not familiar with US healthcare, out-of-state is apparently OK. Out-of-network costs more and does not apply to the “high deductible” portion of your insurance plan.
The Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor, who diagnosed my sudden hearing loss and set me on the road to recovering my hearing.
The audiologist, who conducted the hearing tests without making me feel stupid.
The people at the radiology center who almost had me laughing too hard to get a clear MRI.
My wife, who schlepped me from appointment to appointment, advocated for me when necessary, asked all the right questions, wrote down the answers and tip-toed through the bloody mess in our bathroom to take charge of the situation after I fell and cut my head. Don’t ask her how she did that…it remains a mystery.
The policeman, who arrived while my wife was still on the phone with the emergency dispatcher and offered to assist in any way possible.
The paramedics, who arrived in the ambulance a few minutes later and quickly, comfortably and safely delivered me to the hospital.
Our daughter, who joined us at the hospital and safely delivered us home three hours later.
The Emergency Room staff, who made me comfortable from the moment I arrived (except for those shots to numb my head) until the moment I left.
These people have chosen a life of service (my wife might not have known that, but in sickness and in health, and all that), and they are remarkable human beings.
The for-profit medical insurance industry, and the less-than-remarkable people that stand between the people who need care and the people who are willing and able to provide that care, is the problem with healthcare in the US.
The larger, looming problem with US healthcare is the clown car in Washington containing about 550 people (whose healthcare is gold-plated and guaranteed for life), who will decide the future of healthcare for 330 million slobs like me.
Maddie took it upon herself to make sure I got back on my feet and got some exercise, even though the Mrs. drew the line at operating power tools and making sawdust until there were only the normal number of openings in my head. I did manage to collect some fun photos, and almost a nice reflection. Click on any one to start a show and see the captions.
