Health care in the United States is often like a corn maze--there are many medical staff, many specialties, many procedures and a great need to navigate this complex system when you face illness and as you age. Lately I've been aware of that I tackle many minor medical concerns for my own health as well as more extensive needs related to my elderly parents' health care. I wish there were more readily available one-stop-shops where they could be treated for their myriad of needs--that would save time, money and coordination. Yet, I know that the depth of medical care available likely makes it difficult for so many specialties to be housed in one place. But, wouldn't that be awesome!
This kind of one-stop-shop for medical care may be more available in more rural areas. Since I live near Boston where there are countless medical resources available, that may be one reason why the one-stop-shop is not as known or readily accessible here. I'm not sure about that.
Another challenge related to this corn-maze-of-health-care is choosing which health needs take priority over others. This is especially challenging with elder care because elderly patients can often only endure so much health care at a time. For example, if you need treatment for three different conditions, you may have to choose which condition takes precedence, and when the specialists are at three different places, it may be difficult to figure out with the myriad of specialists which medical plan is the best at the time.
I'll remain on the look out for as much coordinated care as possible. I'll also work on honing my skills when it comes to prioritizing care needs. For example, yesterday when I worked with a medical profession related to a loved one's medical needs, there was a lot of confusion about prioritization. I went home and read a number of articles and consulted others about the differing needs that demanded attention--I found some good articles and information that will help me to help my loved one make a good decision with the situation at hand.
I'm a fan of a national health care system. I don't think health care should be tied to the workplace, but I do think that businesses should be taxed more in order to support a national health care system. And I believe that the national system should be as streamlined and simple as possible so people can readily access the care they need in a timely, direct way. Further, I believe that health care for children, for the large part, should be provided at school--I think combining child health care and education could save money and provide better care. Of course, that may work in some places, but not others with respect to geography and population.
I don't think that health care should be a corn maze. Instead I think we have to work for more streamlined, readily accessible health care as one way to help people be as healthy as they can be. Do you agree?