The Doctor will see You Now!

Each year a number of people try to avoid, if they can help it, going to a number of professional services in medicine.  All the while knowing that each of those services are necessary in order to improve the quality of life for them and that of their family.  With a growing need for medical services, an aging population and preexisting conditions, the list of unique specialties is also growing.  These days, it is hard not to find someone who is not going on annual trips to see one or many medical doctors, the dentist, optometrist, cardiologist, neurologist, dermatologist, podiatrist, specialists, clinicians, a dietitian and/or a practitioner.  And let’s not forget the physical therapist, psychiatrist and the pharmacist.    

  

The ongoing debate for affordable healthcare spans more than half a century and it remains the same… how can all Americans receive and afford quality healthcare? This debate has by far been the more contentious at every level of our government and during political campaigns.   And this debate will continue well into the foreseeable future.   

The most interesting thing is that medical coverage across the nation is so splintered as to it’s accessibility, availability and affordability.  This includes within both public and private sectors.  Those who work at the various levels of federal, state and local governments see huge differences in plans.  For those who work in the private sector, private payers and the like, see a healthcare market place of competing plans and options. However, the greatest challenge is how to cover those without healthcare and what kind of plans are available to those who are not employed, underemployed, self-employed, between jobs, and others who are not covered at all by an employer.       

For certain our journey to this point has been hard fought and there will be other battles to come.  Overall the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, although not perfect by any means, has helped to saved many lives, extended coverage for parents who have children in college and to stop the practice of being denied coverage due to a preexisting condition.  The most amazing thing about it all, is that regardless of one’s socioeconomic status…you can be covered.  The question now is how do we sustain and improve the quality of what is being offered for those most in need?