Chapter 1: The Urgent Care Dilemma

It’s 1 AM, and I have to be up for work at 7 AM. Last night was sleepless, and tonight is proving to be no different. Here I am, tossing and turning, trying to figure out how to ease the relentless itching of poison ivy that has taken over my legs and arms. I've been applying calamine lotion and various anti-itch creams, which have provided brief relief. Yet, the thought of heading to urgent care has lingered in my mind.

If I still had my previous Medicare insurance, I would have already sought help, as urgent care visits were covered. However, after losing that coverage, I ended up with a new insurance plan that I believed would be sufficient. Upon checking my benefits today, I discovered that a visit to urgent care would cost me a $75 co-pay just to consult a doctor and assess my condition. This is frustrating, especially when I’m uncertain whether this rash requires a more serious treatment than my current self-care measures.

While $75 might not seem excessive to many, it's disheartening to have to weigh the costs of seeking medical attention for a pressing and painful issue. This rash is affecting my well-being and productivity, yet the financial burden looms large over my decision to seek help. It’s particularly disconcerting to realize that even after paying for insurance, I still face barriers to accessing necessary care.

This situation has led me to reflect on the broader topic of health insurance, which often dominates political discussions. I'm not here to delve into the specifics of political candidates, but rather to ponder the notion of universal healthcare. It astounds me that we even debate whether healthcare should be a fundamental human right.

We can allocate immense sums for military endeavors abroad, yet we struggle to dedicate a fraction of our tax dollars to ensure healthcare for our citizens. This raises questions about how our tax money is allocated—there's no transparent database showing where our contributions go, leaving us reliant on government explanations that often lack credibility.

I recognize that my perspective is influenced by my current discomfort, but I've considered these issues long before this crisis. As I lie here, unable to sleep, I feel an overwhelming sense of urgency to address my condition and a growing frustration with the healthcare system.

The poison ivy feels as though it’s consuming me; the itching is torturous. It's been five days since this ordeal began, and I find myself questioning whether I should seek medical attention or continue with self-treatment. I've scoured the internet for information on recovery timelines and treatment methods, all while grappling with the pain.

A mere four hours of sleep would feel like a luxury right now. I wish someone could present a compelling argument for why basic healthcare isn't a right for all individuals. It’s absurd that I must deliberate over whether to seek medical assistance due to a $75 co-pay.

In writing this, I aim to distract myself from the pain. I plan to listen to a Ram Dass lecture, grab a quick snack, and desperately hope for a few hours of sleep.

In this informative video titled What Are Insurance Deductibles?, viewers gain insights into the complexities of insurance deductibles and how they impact healthcare costs.

Chapter 2: The E.R. Wait Time Crisis

In addition to my personal struggle, the healthcare system faces broader challenges, particularly in emergency care.

The video 25 Investigates: E.R. wait time crisis not improving sheds light on the ongoing issues surrounding emergency room wait times, an important topic in the discussion of healthcare accessibility.