Wal*mart apparently wants to lead the way in “fixing” health care by working smarter. A year or two ago, they rolled out a plan to sell many common prescriptions for $10 for 90 days worth.
Personal anecdotes are not the basis on which to make policy, but I have the feeling this is showing us the future. Two weeks ago upon discharge from the hospital, I went to CVS with 5 prescriptions on a Sunday with my niece, while we were still making small talk, the clerk announces – you’re all set… my insurance company is paid, I pay my copay and I’m out of there.
My new doctor seems to want to save me money, so last week (after throwing away 4 of the 5 meds), he encourages me to go to wal*mart where I can “save money” by using the $10 special for the 1 remaining med he wants me to take. I get there around 4:15 (the place is closed from like 12:30-2pm for lunch)… hand over my script and am told “I won’t be able to fill this today” given the impression that they ran out and more will be in tomorrow. When I ask what time I should pick it up (after the delivery comes in), then the story changes to “Oh, I have it, but there is no way it will get filled today – can you just come back tomorrow?”
So today, my dentist wants me to take that exotic drug penicillin (I probably have an ear infection affecting my balance). About 4pm, the dentist says they’ll call it into Wal*mart. About an hour later, I go into Wal*mart and am greeted with “OMG, this prescription just arrived. You’ll have to come back in a few hours…. so I go grocery shopping, eat dinner, play with the iPhone and it’s now 6:30ish… sun will be setting soon and I don’t like driving after dark. Get to counter, the woman in front of me is being told that her prescription is not ready and maybe she’ll be able to get it in 20 or 30 minutes… so it’s my turn to say “Hi”, and I get the same story…. there is only one pharmacist and the clerk and they’re buried. I agree to come back tomorrow to pick up my antibiotics, by which time I probably will no longer need them or I’ll have a bigger problem than I do today.
I have the feeling I’ve just seen the future if we get Obamacare.
(Just so I don’t leave the wrong impression, I agreed and encouraged throwing out the original set of meds)
Super fast service was the old America. One semi on our bridges does as much damage as 70000 cars. Speed will have a real cost in the future. Don’t worry about driving at night – gas will be too expensive soon enough – you will be taking the trolley.
Bridges are designed to carry the weight of trucks. You’re full of crap.