I’ve had a number of experiences with health care while traveling in the United States – none of them good.
The most recent episode happened while we were camped at McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, Arizona.
I was experiencing SEVERE jaw pain, that prevented me from being able to either eat, sleep or have a moment’s peace.
So, we found a doctor’s office in Fountain Hills that accepted my BCAA medical insurance and I saw a doctor.
The appointment was $150.
With minimal questions, the doctor prescribed opioids for the pain, WITHOUT asking me whether I had addiction problems (yes), prior experience with opioids (no) or cautioning me as to their side effects.
What he didn’t suggest was an x-ray to determine the cause of the pain.
The result wasn’t good.
The opioids barely touched the pain, but they seriously fucked up my cognitive and digestive systems.
It wasn’t until I got back home to Canada and saw my own doctor that I got proper care… immediate referrals to the appropriate specialists.
Americans who believe they enjoy the ‘best health care system’ in the world have been brain-washed.
That system is ALL about the money doctors can make. It’s NOT about care.
REAL health care systems employ REAL doctors who CARE about their patients… like the GREAT doctor that I have here in Canada.
He does NOT prescribe drugs willy nilly. He THINKS about causes and effects and does his due diligence to prescribe a solution.
WE Canadians have one of the best health care systems in the world — compassionate care that takes care of everyone, regardless of income.
Rosalind ,
Most Americans could have told you the truth about the healthcare system in the US today. IT IS all about the money, and the dearth of patient care is to a niente. The majority, not all, do live up to an oath that is a hypocrisy.
The ones that don’t, and they are so hard to find, are fighting two fronts to do right by the patient between the insurance companies and the hospital corporations, thus binding their hands and abilities to practice good medical care for their patients.
I’m so sorry you had that experience.
I am glad that Canada strives to maintain a healthcare system that truly cares for all their patients no matter what income they make.
I wish our country would see that in the long run, caring for all patients would make us a stronger and more productive place to live. All of us have something to contribute.