Getting Medical Attention

It hurt. It was late evening. I drove myself to the emergency room, parked and walked in. Registration asked if I needed help. I replied "Yes, please."

As I gave my insurance information and described my complaint, someone took my blood pressure, temperature and pulse. I was ushered into a cubicle, interviewed further, and the diagnostic tests began - blood, urine, ultra sound, MRI, X-ray. An IV was started. Yes, there was waiting between tests. But there was a process. I was being attended to. A diagnosis was made. Arrangements were made for admission. There was a further wait for a room. In the early morning hours I was taken to that room. Admittedly it was a bare bones affair in the section reserved for "overflow" patients, but I was receiving care.

After two days of care and additional tests, I got the operation I needed. A day and a half later I was discharged with careful instructions and meds.

I admit it. I take it for granted that if I am really sick, I will be able to get the medical help I need.

I worry about the recovery process and the arrival of the bills for the care I received because that is what I do - worry I mean. BUT, the health insurance my company struggles to pay each month will cover most of the costs. I am fairly confident I will be able to manage the rest without too much hardship.

I feel very fortunate. I cannot imagine how I would handle not being able to get that care. Yet I know that this country's health care resources are strained. We are not training enough physicians and other medical professionals to adequately serve our population and that population is aging. We have a new health care system that theoretically will make medical care available for just about everyone. But will we have the hospitals and personnel to back up that promise?

This past week brought home to me personally just how important that promise is.