I had this thought about national health care

[Talk Host]

The other day, my wife and I were sitting in the waiting room of a medeical specialist in Tampa. She had the appointment six months in advance and we devoted the whole day to the appointment.

At 1 1/2 hours past her appointment time she asked at the desk how much longer it would be, the answer was "however long it takes." Then they slammed the glass window in her face.

There were about three others in the waiting room as well. We had no idea if they were ahead of us or not.

As I sat there and looked around, It occurred to me that if there were a national mandatory health care program in place, that room would be filled to the gills. How long would our wait have been then.

As it was, after about 1 hour 45 minutes we left without seeing the doctor. As you might guess, the office staff didn't give a rat's ass.

JLK

[getdul981]

As you have stated, It's only going to get worse.

[swrinfla]

They're talking about reducing Medicare payments to doctors by 23-25%! I see stories about some doctors saying that they will no longer accept NEW patients with Medicare.

Frankly, I think doctors should be obligated to take whomever shows up at their door. But, some doctors seem to have "huge" staffs and thus are responsible for supporting unknown dozens of possible illegal aliens, and/or their relatives!

My bottom line (trying to stay away from the political forum) is this: we are in serious, serious trouble at every level!

SWR
:beer3:

[gadaboutgal]

The other day, my wife and I were sitting in the waiting room of a medeical specialist in Tampa. She had the appointment six months in advance and we devoted the whole day to the appointment.

At 1 1/2 hours past her appointment time she asked at the desk how much longer it would be, the answer was "however long it takes." Then they slammed the glass window in her face.

There were about three others in the waiting room as well. We had no idea if they were ahead of us or not.

As I sat there and looked around, It occurred to me that if there were a national mandatory health care program in place, that room would be filled to the gills. How long would our wait have been then.

As it was, after about 1 hour 45 minutes we left without seeing the doctor. As you might guess, the office staff didn't give a rat's ass.

JLK

What makes you think that that particular waiting room would be filled to the gills should we have a national health care program? What patient in their right mind would return to a doctor who had such little respect for their patient than to let them sit in a waiting room for one and three quarters hour. I, for one, think that individual doctor is a poor example of a physician-and a mismanager of time.
Your unfortunate scenario does not equate when good doctors will provide affordable health care for all Americans. jmo

[whartonjelly]

I have waited 4 hours at the longest for an Endocrinologist who has control over all my meds and has saved my life. it was only once but I drove an hour to see him. He spends lots of time with me and his other patients teaching, explaining and it has been worth the wait. I have heard of people standing in line for hours just to purchase a popular item at Christmas ! Most of my meds are to protect all parts of my body. I need to stay alive and healthy to move to TV!

[Pturner]

Among other positive and negative effects, perhaps doctors' offices would be more crowded and emergency rooms less. TH, I don't know if the specialist you visited had extenuating circumstances that day or always keeps people waiting long after their appointments. At any rate, staff behavior you described was rude and obnoxious. I cannot understand why merchants and service providers put up with staff treating customers poorly.

I hope your wife is doing well. I also hope you are able to find a specialist who values his or her patients and insists that they be treated with respect.

[Talk Host]

Among other positive and negative effects, perhaps doctors' offices would be more crowded and emergency rooms less. TH, I don't know if the specialist you visited had extenuating circumstances that day or always keeps people waiting long after their appointments. At any rate, staff behavior you described was rude and obnoxious. I cannot understand why merchants and service providers put up with staff treating customers poorly.

I hope your wife is doing well. I also hope you are able to find a specialist who values his or her patients and insists that they be treated with respect.

There were no extenuating circumstances. He never deals with emergencies. The last time we were there, we waited in the exam room for a long time. I finally went out in the hall and down to his office and he was standing staring out the window with his hands folded behind his back. I guess people could say he was contemplating a medical issue. I doubt it. I think he was staring out the window while we waited in a closed small room.

[billethkid]

in the future, after adding 20-30,000,000 more to the health care roles with NO increase in doctors or NO increase in medical facilities...there is going to be a major impact on the pace of care.
And the rude ones will get their share.

Also factor in the potential complications if/when they cut doctors reimbursements by up to 25%...some will stop taking new medicare patients...some will limit existing medicare appointments...and some will get out of the business.

The waiting rooms will be fuller....the waits will be longer...and the care much more expensive for our out of pocket expenses.
Enjoy what you have now while you have it.

btk

[2BNTV]

The other day, my wife and I were sitting in the waiting room of a medeical specialist in Tampa. She had the appointment six months in advance and we devoted the whole day to the appointment.

At 1 1/2 hours past her appointment time she asked at the desk how much longer it would be, the answer was "however long it takes." Then they slammed the glass window in her face.

There were about three others in the waiting room as well. We had no idea if they were ahead of us or not.

As I sat there and looked around, It occurred to me that if there were a national mandatory health care program in place, that room would be filled to the gills. How long would our wait have been then.

As it was, after about 1 hour 45 minutes we left without seeing the doctor. As you might guess, the office staff didn't give a rat's ass.

JLK

Talk Host:

Over the years, I've had a couple of experiences with front office personnel in how they handled their duties. I would talk to the doctor directly and inform him/her of your treatment by the front office personnel.

In one case the doctor informed the office person that I was to be treated extremely different in terms of addressing my concerns. They did not do their job properly and the doctor told them so. They was a great deal of respect shown to me as they knew I would complain if treated this way again.

In the other case, the doctor supported his front office personnel and I was considering going to a doctor that was more understanding.

I feel the front office is a reflection on how the doctor treats his/her patients. If the doctor supports his front office personnel especiallly if their behavior was rude, the he/she is uncaring caring about their patients.

It is unfortunate in today's time that a doctor has only ten minutes before they feel they will be losing money when examining a patient. I always have my questions ready. They also feel their time is much more valuable than yours so your wait time can be excessive. I consider my time just as valuable as theirs.

Several years ago, a friend of mine that had a son who is a doctor told me that a big concern of doctors is that one patient if unhappy would spread the word and affect the amount of patients that would come to them. I don't know if that is true in today's time with the shortage of doctors.

I wish that your wife will get the needed treatment in a timely fashion and not be subject to addition indignities.

[Ajack]

in the future, after adding 20-30,000,000 more to the health care roles with NO increase in doctors or NO increase in medical facilities...there is going to be a major impact on the pace of care.
And the rude ones will get their share.

Also factor in the potential complications if/when they cut doctors reimbursements by up to 25%...some will stop taking new medicare patients...some will limit existing medicare appointments...and some will get out of the business.

The waiting rooms will be fuller....the waits will be longer...and the care much more expensive for our out of pocket expenses.
Enjoy what you have now while you have it.

btk

Thank-you congress.(who didn't read the bill, why should they, they don't have to use it).

Hopefully we will reverse this gigantic mistake.

[Bogie Shooter]

This thread is going more and more towards the political section.