Once upon a time I started having shortness of breath. No cough, no chest pain, no fatigue, etc. After a week or so, I began to get worried. Shortness of breath? I never had shortness of breath before. I thought it was maybe my heart. Maybe atrial fibrillation.
The shortness of breath got worse. And it was the weekend, my doctor(s) were not available, so I decided to go to the Emergency Room. At the ER, they did an x-ray. And told me I had pneumonia. Pneumonia? I never had pneumonia in my life! I am not even around people, or kids, who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
A month later I still had pneumonia. Finally, after nearly 2 months and 2 rounds of antibiotics, a new x-ray showed no pneumonia. But I still had shortness of breath. AND moderate-to-severe acid reflux, probably from the antibiotics.
I went back to the ER. During that ER visit, 2 months after I was diagnosed with pneumonia, I was instructed to make an follow up appointment within 2 days with my primary doctor. OK, no problem. Generally, I make an appointment to see my doctor every 3 months, for followup and maintenance. After the ER visit, I called my doctor, well before my already scheduled 3-month appointment. I was told by the doctor's office that the soonest appointment was in 2 months. 2 months? I was sick and needed to see my doctor NOW. If I had to wait 2 months I might be dead! There was nothing they could do. I was scared. And upset. I have been a patient for years. Why on earth should it take 2 months to see your own doctor??? This is America, not some country with socialized medicine. I do not have lousy health insurance, I have good health insurance -- and good doctors. Doctors who can't see me for 2 months. I considered finding a new doctor. A doctor that I could get in and see soon, if/when I really needed a doctor.
Finally, after I complained to the doctor's office manager, the office called back and said they had a cancellation. The next day. That's more like it! I have a great doctor and did not want to give him up.
I visited the doctor and he reassured me that I was getting better and should not worry about the shortness of breath, as it can take months to get over pneumonia. Whew! Then I got worried that, if I got ill again and had to see the doctor ASAP, would I have to wait 2 months again? I asked my doctor about it. He shrugged and gave no answer.
Worse, the same thing happened with my cardiologist. I had an outstanding appointment, made 3 months ago. Yes, I go see him every 3 months for follow up for high blood pressure and other cardiac-related things. I wanted to change my upcoming appointment for the following week, as I had a calendar conflict, and called the cardiologist's office to reschedule. The office said OK. Then they informed me that the soonest appointment was in 2 months! WHAT?! Two months again? Besides my primary care physician, I had to also wait 2 months to see my cardiologist? I have been a patient for over a decade!
What is going on with my healthcare? Why should ANY sick patient in America, with excellent health insurance, have to wait 2 months to see his/her designated doctor(s)? Whatever the reason(s) this is completely unacceptable!
If I have to wait 2 months to see my doctors, I guess if I get sick I will have to go to the always crowded Emergency Room at the local hospital. I will have to use the ER as my primary care physician (and cardiologist). If I have to wait 2 months to see my doctor(s) I will have to use the ER for all my urgent minor and major health care needs. Wait minute, that's what illegal immigrants do. And people with no health insurance. Wait minute, as an American citizen, I pay hundreds of dollars a month for Medicare and additional supplemental health insurance. And now, because I have to wait 2 months to see my doctor, I have to use the ER as my primary doctor? And wait hours to get treatment in the ER? And, though I pay hundreds of dollars every month in health insurance premiums - for good health care coverage - I will receive the same medical care as illegal immigrants or people with no health insurance? And that makes sense, how???
We need good health care. We need good and TIMELY health care. Good health care is an important part of life, a critical part of life, especially when you get older and have more ailments. Having to wait 2 months to see your doctor is not good health care, it's a clear and present medical danger.