For the past week my 16-month-old baby has had a bad cough. This afternoon I took him to his pediatrician, Dr. Rainwater, who works at Associated Physicians of Madison.
I only had to wait a few minutes to see the doctor. At that time I went straight to the doctor, not one of her staff. Dr. Rainwater ruled out any serious problems. She took time with me to explain her recommendations and the scientific reasoning behind them.
She called in a prescription to the Wallgreens on Whitney Way.
Estimated bill from Dr. Rainwater’s office = $120. If I have any questions, I can call any time of the day or night and talk to one of the M.D.’s who we personally know free of charge. I highly recommend Associated Physicians.
When we got to Wallgreens, the pharmacist went out in to the store to see if we could get the medicine less expensively in their over-the-counter section. It turns out the prescription was $12, but the same medicine was $11 over-the-counter. I highly recommend Wallgreens' pharmacy.
As I shut it down for the night, I think about claims that “the healthcare system” is in need of overhaul from Washington, DC. I want to help the needy, but I don't see why we have to overhaul everything to do that. For people who are not needy, it's hard to see how a healthplan, esp a gov't-run plan, involved would be of any benefit. If we have pricing issues, we sit down and talk to someone at our doctor’s office, just we would with any other service provider.
I do not agree with radical claims that healthcare overhaul will have dire consequences. I do think, though, that it will add a little bit of red tape to what should be a straight forward transaction between my family and our doctors.
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This is a great story, thanks for putting this up. I hope your baby feels better soon! For what it is worth, despite my occasional 'mean-ness' and 'right wing' tendencies I think that you and I think a lot alike. I can see an independent streak in what you say that I love. It reminds me of when I lost total faith in my party, (GOP), in the late 1990s and subsequently registered as a libertarian in my late 20s. You are from the left and I am from the right but I think that we meet at important points. Just disregard and ignore stuff at my site that may offend. I am a 'nut' after all.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I hop your child is better soon and in time for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAs I read your stuff I find it reasonale and sound, and enjuy reding it.
I consider myself a true independent conservative but really enjoying finding, reading, and commenting more liberal leaning blogs.
Reasoned debate is good and stimulating.