Obama Care

Sometimes our medical care is outstanding. Many of the surgeries that can be done today are incredible and there are many doctors who really do care about their patients. And many of the modern drugs prevent or cure serious conditions (while often creating new ones). But sometimes one gets hung up with the many problems in this profession. And this is very hard when you or a loved one are personally involved. For example, have you ever had to wait days and weeks to hear how your tests or biopsies turned out? Wait, wait, wait – worry, worry, worry! Then you find they have just forgotten to notify you. Been there, done that. Or have you had to wait an hour or more to see the doctor when you had an appointment? I guess that is what they mean by "waiting" rooms. Or have you tried to make an appointment with a specialist? We know of folks with very serious conditions who have had to wait months to see a specialist. A few years ago when I had to see a voice specialist it took me six months to have my first appointment. Dianne has recently had problems with her feet and has had trouble walking. Two family doctors and her podiatrist didn't know what to do so she was referred to an orthopedic surgeon. His first opening was over two months away. So instead, she chose to see a physician's assistant who diagnosed her as having posterior tibial tendonitis. He had her leg put in a cast up to her knee. Three weeks later she did get to see the specialist (that's one way to get around the appointment problem). He put her in a new cast for two more weeks and had her measured for a brace. While she was in the cast she had no pain. Last Thursday they took the second cast off and put her in the brace only to find that the brace was not made correctly. Rather than put her in a third cast, she was told to wear the brace all day until a new one could be made, and then to come back – in four weeks. Well the new cast is very painful but she is forced to wear it until the new brace is done – almost a week and a half. Then she will need to wear that one for three weeks until she can see the specialist again. So much for personal and timely care. That's almost as bad as the doctor in Florida who diagnosed my foot pain as an infected ingrown toenail, without even ever looking at my foot or coming within three feet of it, even though my toenails had been cut by my podiatrist just two days earlier. But as they say, they are … "practicing" physicians . Of course all of this is going to improve with "Obama Care". Well we've had our first experience with his new healthcare law. If you are on medicare you know what is meant by the dreaded "donut-hole" in the drug prescription program. That is where you must pay full price for your meds until you spend about $4,300. "Obama Care" now provides a rebate of $250 to any senior who hits the "donut hole". Since Dianne's meds have already cost over $3,000 for less than six months, she is eligible. I'm also in the "hole" but the federal government hasn't noticed that yet. So yesterday Dianne got her check for $250! I expect that until the year is over this will amount to about a 3% rebate. Wow, what a great bonus to seniors, especially those of us who will probably face a 10% increase in their coverage costs for 2011. But I guess it is better than nothing, at least 3% better! So I guess we need to say "thank you", not to Obama … but to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will be paying for the costs of "Obama Care" (and all of his other costly programs) all of their lives. Thanks kids! Oh yes, the new medical motto must be, "take an aspirin and call me in five weeks … if you can afford to or if you can get an appointment!" Keep well!