The American Health System

The American health system is notoriously bad, without a comprehensive Australian Medicare-type program to provide free basic cover to everyone. Today I tested it out.

Yesterday I could feel a sore throat and some asthma coming on. I woke up at 3 in the morning with all symptoms blazing, dosed up and slept till 9. I then drove to a local medical clinic called the Komed Holman centre.

I received a much more thorough examination that I think I would have had in Australia. Within a few minutes a nurse had taken my vital stats and given me a throat swap with a piece of razor wire which was sent off to the lab downstairs. I then waited to see a doctor.

I could walk in to my old local doctor in Narraweena and say "I've got a throat infection". I'd say "ah", he'd look at my throat and say "yes you have. Here's a script for antibiotics". It took 3 minutes, he made money, I didn't waste time, and everyone was happy. But here, I got a thorough check out by an eager young doctor who also counselled me on my asthma managment plan, and tried to convince me to use whatever new improved asthma medication he was being sponsored to endorse. To be fair though, young doctors in Australia do this to asthmatics too.

By contrast to the waiting room of a big medical clinic in Australia though, there was a remarkable quiet and calm. I was the only white person among the 60 or so patients, doctors, nurses and secretaries there. At home (Manly Vale at least) the waiting room would filled with people complaining, moaning, talking loudly and going to the counter every five minutes to try to get priority, as well as coughing sneezing, bleeding and vomiting to explose you to any diseases you didn't already have. People sat quietly and calmly with serene dignity. I felt guilty for coughing.

The other surprise was the cost. As a foreigner I am uninsured and expected a hefty fee. Yet, this is a charity sponsored health clinic, and the cost was only a $20 co-payment, and for $6 the antiobiotics were thrown in too!

So while rumours are of how terrible the system is, with presidential candidates making reform their key policy, there are at least some good services available, with 6 centres coming under the banner of this foundations in Chicago.