Lucky

Once upon a time doctors were readily available to almost everyone, as long as they could find one.

There were a few glory years when doctors were available and affordable.

The past twenty years has seen the decline of modern medicine.  Doctors were, and are, being substituted for by Nurse practitioners.  Nurse practitioners can be very well educated and they are more willing to spend time with patients.  They are also cheaper, or were.  Now many people pay for doctors, but see nurse practitioners and there is a difference.

One big difference are the years of schooling and training.  Nurse practitioners get a four year degree and then another 2-4 years.  A doctor gets eight years plus extra training, up to 14 years total, and the end result can be huge.

I could not get, or afford insurance for the last fifteen years, so I was grateful for whatever medical attention I could get, or afford. Our local clinic was good.

Now that I qualify for medicare and have a supplemental PPO I can afford to go to a doctor of my choice and my prescriptions are free.  The small amount I pay for the PPO is about what I paid for the prescriptions in the past, so I come out way ahead.  A fifteen dollar copay gives me access to a full fledged doctor who seems to really care and makes the time to do what is necessary, including calling me herself this morning!

I couldn't be happier, but it is a shame that everyone in this country cannot have this same experience.  I get it because I am retired . . . and probably just pretty lucky.