Insured but not so much

In the discussion of health insurance reform, there is a lot of talk about the uninsured and not so much about the barely covered. Those with Medicaid and Medicare often have to deal with long lines, shoddy service and limited recourse.

Those who serve clients of lesser means need to remember to respect the dignity of their patients. It doesn't take much for a change in your circumstances. "There but for the grace of GOD go I" is a saying that should come to mind.

All too often such facilities that will deign to serve Medicare/Medicaid clientele are dirty and crowded, helmed by surly staff.  They tend to be overbooked and underserved. There is an assembly line philosophy to visits, get 'em in and out as fast as possible. Bland advice may be issued then the patient is shuttled out. And you probably don't want to know how much the government is charged for these cookie cutter visits.


I myself have seen offices which take care of Medicaid/Medicare patients that are presentable, warm and friendly. The doctors take time to accurately diagnose, explain and treat the clientele. And they follow up without prodding. This should be the norm nor the exception.

Lest those states that have turned their Medicaid/Medicare programs into HMOs and PPOs get smug, I find that the mentality is quite similar to those in plain Medicaid/Medicare. Specialists are hard to get into and often have a number of hoops you have to go through. Benefits are steadily decreasing and medications are played with on a regular basis.

People I am not saying that Medicaid/Medicare is useless. But what I am asking is that the powers that be treat those in these different programs with the dignity and respect they deserve.