Word: clinics
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...Patching the Safety Net A series of clinic visits by one patient made me realize just how broken the current health care system is ? and what can be done...
...didn't like waiting, she was snappy during her interview, she made sure I wrote her out prescriptions for all the medication I recommended, even the over-the-counter ones. This way they would all be paid-for. She spoke no English, and she even poked fun at my clinic Spanish. I made a note of it in her chart...
...years later I didn't recognize her when I walked into her cubicle in the clinic again. I recognized my handwriting in her chart though. And when she rolled her eyes at my Spanish it all came back. "You've been here three years and you still can't speak Spanish any better?" she accused with a twinkle. Now we got into it: Any better? You've been living in my country all this time and you haven't learned any English? A lively debate on the merits of a bilingual society gave way to a cortisone shot...
...Moving ahead about five years, I was now clinic Attending - in other words, the boss. "We found your old note on this patient. I think she has DeQuervains (the same wrist problem) again. And could you look at the patient in the next room with me too? I think she has the same thing" The resident was a good one. His report on their histories and physical exams was perfect. He was thinking about operating on both women...
...Rosa would have to pay over five thousand dollars to have her wrist fixed. The lady behind door number two would get it for free. There were no "doctor's bills" in these prices; the residents are salaried by the hospital, I work the clinic for free and operated on clinic patients gratis. The hospital did, however, accept Medicaid payments. Rosa was now employed - no longer Medicaid eligible - and she had paid $45 for the clinic visit that day. And because she wasn't in any health plan that could strong arm down the hospital bill - they got about...