Did you hear the one about...
Did you hear the one about the state legislator who wanted to increase access to medical care?
To do so, she wrote a bill that required more doors at health clinics.
No, really!
Specifically, we're talking about the clinics located in pharmacies and big-box stores which typically treat the "routine" stuff. The proposed legislation would require such clinics to construct separate entrances, mandate the patient's primary care provider receive a detailed report of the clinic visit and that prices be displayed outside the exam room.
The author of said bill stated: "We're just trying to make sure that they meet standards like other physicians have to do."
Really? Well after 7 years in the ER, I've never sent detailed reports to a primary provider, nor have I seen a price-list in the waiting room. However, I do have a revolving door at the entrance-which never stops moving.
Currently the State Department of Health does not license these "walk-up" facilities, but regulates them through the license of the doctor in charge. Translation: A problem with the care rendered at such facilities holds the doctor in charge accountable-period.
Plain & Simple: Health care legislation must be in the best interest of the patient. The requirements of this bill will stifle competition, inflate the cost of routine medical services provided by these clinics and add more expense to the state. It's bad for patients and taxpayers, which are one in the same. And that's no joke.
To do so, she wrote a bill that required more doors at health clinics.
No, really!
Specifically, we're talking about the clinics located in pharmacies and big-box stores which typically treat the "routine" stuff. The proposed legislation would require such clinics to construct separate entrances, mandate the patient's primary care provider receive a detailed report of the clinic visit and that prices be displayed outside the exam room.
The author of said bill stated: "We're just trying to make sure that they meet standards like other physicians have to do."
Really? Well after 7 years in the ER, I've never sent detailed reports to a primary provider, nor have I seen a price-list in the waiting room. However, I do have a revolving door at the entrance-which never stops moving.
Currently the State Department of Health does not license these "walk-up" facilities, but regulates them through the license of the doctor in charge. Translation: A problem with the care rendered at such facilities holds the doctor in charge accountable-period.
Plain & Simple: Health care legislation must be in the best interest of the patient. The requirements of this bill will stifle competition, inflate the cost of routine medical services provided by these clinics and add more expense to the state. It's bad for patients and taxpayers, which are one in the same. And that's no joke.
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