Markets for health care. How can the explosion of retail health-care clinics point the direction of real reform for our health-care system? In my latest column for American Issues Project, I look at the implications of two studies done by……

I’m still scratching my head figuring out why these are not everywhere.

Ahh capitalism and the free market! Get government out of the way and we might have real reform.

Christian Conservative on September 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM

In other words, forget hearing about this option from the president next week.

Or ever…

Having recently been discharged from a hospital with seveal followups performed by a PA in the surgeons office, I was not favorably impressed. Routine nursing care was fabulous, PA,..not so much. Only one data point, I know

Next time ask to see the Nurse Practitioner, a capella. There is a difference in level of education and training between an NP and a PA. Also, PAs are more medical/disease oriented, whereas NPs focus more on whole person care IMHO.
This level of care works for many folks and is convenient and cost-effective. It is no more contagious than any other place around, BTW. Wash your hands often, everybody!!!

And I wouldn’t be comfortable taking myself or my family to an RN for a medical problem…for nursing care, absolutely as that is their function. A NP yes, but not an RN with no advanced training.

daisyduck on September 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM

I would not be surprised if these are nurse practitioners, which do have advanced training.

And really, I would rather go to an experienced RN than some third-world M.D. from East Kackastani, which will be what we’re going to end up with under ObamaCare(less).

daisyduck on September 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM

Tell me what is the difference if infectious people walking in to pick up a prescription? I went to Munite Clinic a couple of times before my Blue Cross/Shield was a couple of years ago and I was very satified with the results.

Not everyone who goes to these minute clinics have infectious diseases. By your assessment the school nurses office should be off school property. I hear you singing ‘I got the flu babe.’ lol

sonnyspats1 on September 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Not everyone does, but most of the problems that are seen in these clinics are infectious in nature. Not plague level, but but infectious just the same and what is just a cold to the average person could be a disaster for poor grandpa shopping for his Geritol at Walgreens.

And the school nurse’s office is different…little kids are dirty creatures and they come down with EVERYTHING. It’s a risk of sending your kid to school (a very reasonable risk, and the kid getting sick serves a good purpose in training the immune system) and comes with the territory.

You were right the first time with “assessment”. I think :-)

daisyduck on September 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Not everyone who goes to these minute clinics have infectious diseases. By your assessment the school nurses office should be off school property. I hear you singing ‘I got the flu babe.’ lol

I think you’re right on the money. During my childhood in the 60s, we had major medical insurance for just that, really MAJOR medical problems. Everyone was expected to pay routine stuff. Sometime, somehow, we completely lost that concept.

jwolf on September 3, 2009 at 10:46 AM

State and Federal mandates effectively outlawed that type of coverage. HSA’a are the closest thing to that and Democrats fought that too.

Governments now dictate the minimum coverage you can buy and many require insurance companies to pay for everything from hair transplants to breast implants. Whether you want the coverage or not.

It’s an easy way for politicians to say they’re helping the little guy by socking it to the evil insurance companies. The result is an indirect tax on all healthcare and a loss of individual liberty.

sonnyspats1 on September 3, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Should I start singing “I got you, babe” to you? :-)

daisyduck on September 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM

quack quack quack

It sounds like a plan. Get the Congress out of the way so we can live.

In some states there are “urgent care” doc-in-the-box clinics they are staffed with an on site MD and usually at least one RN and an EMT/paramedic. They handle urgent care situations like fractures/cuts/asthma etc. If things get more complicated they ship you to a hospital. You have to be careful here – most of these do not have negotiated contracts with insurance companies, they rely on state laws that say an ER gets paid an in contract rate if they treat you on an emergency basis. If your insurance company deems your conditions not an emergency – like you could have called your physician, or gone to a contracted ER they won’t pay the urgent care center. You must be a participant in your own care. BUT if you don’t have insurance these urgent care centers are vastly cheaper than going to an ER. I would liken these centers to the Veterinarian’s office comparison they have more of their own equipment on site & do more procedures.