Free clinic shows need for health care

I had the privilege of seeing patients for two days at the recent free clinic in Kansas City provided by the National Association of Free Clinics. There were about 2,300 patients requesting health care. Most of the patients were employed but unable to afford health care.

It was one of those experiences I will treasure and not forget. One of the patients I examined lived right in my neighborhood, bringing home the reality of the intensity of the problem.

It is unfortunate our senators and representatives did not show up to experience this event. I dare say they might have realized the need for universal health care or at least an affordable public option. For those naysayers, until you experience what we volunteers experienced at the clinic, please be more judicious in your negative comments.

Everett Murphy, M.D. 
 Kansas City

Comments

[Mark Robertson]

The free clinics actually show the way to help, the poor get health care. Private charity is the answer to helping the poor.
Universal government run health care has been a disaster everywhere it has been tried.
The free market, more direct pay with such options as health savings accounts and private charity for the poor and others are actual answers. Thankyou.

Mark Robertson
Independence

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Ted you make some valid points, however, who is to say $65.00 is far too high?
I agree witht he frills however physicians are a PRIVATE interprise and free to choose how fancy or not o they want their offices.
Don't like their fees, go to a different doctor. I find it repulsive that the high end remodeling of governmt offices, with leather furntiure and flat panel televisions sems out of line since it's paid for with tax payer funds. Just wait until government mandates YOU buy a policy for $1000 a month or face losing your property, get fined and/or jail time.

[Indy]

I know. That was my point and it disgusts me.

[Smarter Than You]

Is Everett writing as a doctor or as a political activist? I merely question because on his twitter account he self identifies as:

Name Everett Murphy Location Kansas City, MO Bio Born 1945. Raised in Tulsa. Married to Corva 1968. Politically far left. Practice Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine.

[Kee]

Short answer Indy, nothing. Cost will continue to rise, only more dramatically. If your Senator or Congressman votes for this they are doing you no favors.

[Indy]

I, too, believe costs are uncontained. At my pediatrician's office, they charge a $25 "administration fee" for flu shots, on top of the cost of the vaccine. 3000 doses x $25 = $75,000 alone, just for "administering" the shots.

What is in the healthcare bill that CONTAINS rising costs?

[Ted]

Dr. Murphy, thank you for your time and effort. The reason so many were there stems from the fact that medical care is just plain unaffordable in America. Example: This week my grandaughter got a sore throat. Office visit 117.00, strep test 65.00, antibiotic 20.00 Total 202.00. My daughter and her husband have 4 children. If the strep had spread it could have cost 808.00. They don't give group rates.I checked on the internet and at the medical supply co. I found the cost of the strep throat swab is about 1.00. I understand all about overhead and wages, but 64.00 to read a strep swab? One more observation; the local not for profit hospital opened up a much needed walk in clinic. Instead of renting one of the many empty strip malls in town, they went for a high dollar location and spent thousands remodeling. It really looks nice, but no attempt to keep expenses or overhead down that I can see. When I'm sick I don't care about fancy, just put me behind a curtain and examine me. Cost to go there, 97.00 to see the nurse practioner. There is a receptionist and secretary there for two nurse practioners. When I went to the walk in clinic in a drug store in Mesa while on vacation, the nurse practioner ran her own office. Visit: 65.00. I guess that maybe is the difference between a not for profit hospital and a for profit drugstore. My whole point is, cut out the frills, price services more reasonably and do your part to help make health care affordable. Thanks again for your helping thise in need.