Samain \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Moon of the Winter Solstice<\/p>\n
As 65 nears there is one more physical left under the old, private insurance model. \u00a0COBRA, which allows extension of private medical insurance for up to 18-24 months after loss of employment or retirement, if you can afford it, has kept the Health Partners plan in place until February 14th, when this baby boomer adds another droplet to the silver tsunami.<\/p>\n
So, one last time under the private health care insurance model that has bankrupted and made more ill hundreds of thousands in this the wealthiest of all possible countries.<\/p>\n
Tom Davis has seen me now for four years or so since Charlie Peterson took off for Colorado, Steamboat Springs. \u00a0Tom collects native american pottery and hopes some day to become a docent at the MIA. \u00a0He’s a good doc, a\u00a0geriatrician in the mix.<\/p>\n
Each year. \u00a0Downtown to the Medical Arts Building. \u00a0Park in the ramp, find the skyway. \u00a0Take the elevator. \u00a0Yes, nothing to eat or drink other than clear liquids since midnight. \u00a0The blood pressure cuff, measuring my major health problem. \u00a0Once by the nurse. \u00a0Then again by Tom. \u00a0Maybe yet again.<\/p>\n
The ritual questions. \u00a0Any difficulty swallowing? \u00a0Any changes? \u00a0And on. \u00a0Probing with words while the eyes watch, looking for signs, fleeting symptoms. \u00a0Diagnostics at work, the differential tree now second nature, honed by so many patients.<\/p>\n
Disrobing. The paper gown. \u00a0So cute. Poking, coughing. \u00a0A reflex tested. \u00a0Prostate checked. \u00a0Prescriptions refilled. \u00a0Blood work drawn. \u00a0Urine sample.<\/p>\n
After visit summary in hand, back out through the lobby. \u00a0Others wait. \u00a0For the blood pressure cuff. \u00a0The ritual questions. \u00a0The disrobing.<\/p>\n
Next year though it will be socialized medicine and a local HMO taking care of the visit. Medicare is not the problem, it’s the solution.<\/p>\n
The ritual question for solving the problem: \u00a0for whom will you vote?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Samain \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Moon of the Winter Solstice As 65 nears there is one more physical left under the old, private insurance model. \u00a0COBRA, which allows extension of private medical insurance for up to 18-24 months after loss … Continue reading One Last Physical<\/span>