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I took my 10-year-old to her pediatrician’s office about 3 months ago. She had a sore throat, sinus problems and a cough that was keeping her up at night and keeping her throat sore.

The actual doctor was not available so she was seen by a physician’s assistant. I waited a half-hour in a small room. The PA came in looked at her ears, throat and sinuses, listened to her chest and told me to give her water and cough drops. I asked for a drug that has always worked before called Donatussin and she said no and that was that.

I walked out of there thinking, “What a waste of insurance money. I won’t be going back there ever again.”

The same day I received a flier in the mail about a health clinic opening in the new Wal-Mart near me. I figured, “What have I got to lose?” I took my daughter up there and, even though they weren’t contracted with my insurance company yet, they just charged me the co-pay of $25.
They took her in the back room, thouroughly checked her out and even took her blood pressure.

That is something she has never had done in her 10 years of going to her regular pediatrician’s office.

They asked me some questions and said, I think we’ll give you Donatussin for her. They gave me a 10-day supply free. She was better in three days and she loved going there.

Isn’t there something wrong when you get better basic health care at Wal-Mart than a doctor’s office? Is there something wrong with this picture?

The American Medical Association doesn’t like storefront clinics because they don’t like competition. I just want my children to be given some relief when they are sick. I’m tired of paying doctors’ prices and getting PAs at her pediatrician’s office, I’m sure they don’t give my insurance a discount.

At least at Wal-Mart I’m not paying insurance for a doctor and getting a PA. I know what I’m getting up front and what the cost will be.
I have found a new regular doctor for my children, but will use Wal-Mart as a backup.

People who don’t have insurance need to go where they know up front what the cost will be and can get $4 prescriptions. This is a wonderful service for people who don’t have insurance and a good backup for people who do.

I’ve told some of my friends about the Wal-Mart clinics and they’ve had great experiences there. The AMA needs to stay out of this. Millions of people need a service like this.

Tracey L. Fanning is a resident of Thornton.

READER COMMENTS

Must be something in the wind like people wising up to the socialized medicine crowd and their constant drumming that other countries are better even though people from those other countries are coming here for medical care denied in their countries or delayed beyond reason. Brace yourselves for a host of lies and attacks upon those selfish brutes who think they are intelligent enough to make their own health care decisions . Worse those selfish rich people want other people to pay their own way or stop complaining about not having the same things others have. For pity's sake what do they think we are? Free American citizens?

Hank,

Health care is not a government monopoly, and the Post Office works great.

And please, stay off our socialized highway system since you don't like any collective taxation for the common good.

Is this Dejavu or didn't I see this same post about three months ago?

Tracy, you are right on the money. The bureaucracy and monopoly in control determined that you are simply too stupid to be a responsible parent and that you are too stupid to shop the healthcare system for yourself . Only they know what's best for you and how much you should pay for it.

Like most entrenched bureaucracies and monopolies, they fear competition, free markets and individual accountablity. Bottom line: you lose your right to make choices and responsible decisions-- and they get to charge more. Now that's a great deal for the monopoly but its not so hot for you.

Multiply your experience by a few million folks and there no wonder why our health care costs are skyrocketing while the service we get only gets worse. Healthcare and education are two government monopolies where THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS WRONG.

Once again, WalMart beats the government alternative...100 million loyal customers with 1 million employees and now offering everyone an ever expanding array of affordable healthcare services and products. Meanwhile, the crowd who runs the post office, repair our bridges and contol our energy policies offer no solutions, no answers. Nada, zero, zilch. Medicare will be bust within 2-3 decades, the system is bankrupt.

WalMart, the largest business enterprise on the planet, does more good for more Americans every single day than does our inept federal government. And they are rapidly spreading their affordable benefits all over the face of the earth. That's why they have a growing pool of over 100 million loyal customers who vote with their wallets every day. It won't be long before they double their customer base again. Free-market capitalism versus socialism; no contest.

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