The DI stumbles upon a killer quote from Curaquick:
Despite concerns, the convenience of grocery-store health care appeals to average families on busy schedules and the underinsured alike, Burow said.
"I am from rural Iowa, and I have family who all work full-time without benefits," the co-founder said. "I was watching family members not be able to afford to get sick."
More proof that despite the convenience, Curaquick is a symptom of a disease, rather than a cure:
Curaquick is part of a growing retail-based clinic industry. Hundreds of similar clinics are opening across the country in supermarkets, department stores, and pharmacies...
We need a far more systematic solution to the crisis of Americans with no health care than grocery store walk-in flat fee clinics. Maybe the delivery mechanism is OK - despite Iowa City's fine hospitals, folks with minor ailments may not need that level of care. But at minimum wage in the Wal Mart, Check-N-Go world, the $40 flat fee may as well be $4000. As the middle and upper class discuss the relative merits of sales taxes "for the kids", they often do so without the real knowledge that in the poverty economy, folks are very often living day to day and penny to penny.
1 comment:
I agree. Here is the text of the letter to the editor of the Press Citizen I wrote after reading their editorial. Published 2006-09-10.
To the Editor:
That the editorial board would address access to health care on the opening of clinics in grocery stores is expected and disappointing. Access to health care is the #1 public health issue in Johnson County and while Curaquick recognized the commercial need, the social need goes well beyond a fee-based business. Here are my suggestions:
If you are a licensed medical practitioner, volunteer at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic where your skills are needed, and your work would help provide access to health care.
If you are a manager at University Hospitals and Clinics make sure the people with the greatest need are receiving services at no charge. Serving the community is a minimum expectation of taxpayers.
The advice "eat better and exercise" is ubiquitous. Do it and reduce your need for health care.
Understand that the health insurance benefits businesses provide will cost employees and businesses more. Business is part of a broader solution.
Elect Dave Loebsack to the US Congress. Dave is committed to addressing the issue of access to health care in Washington.
While we wish Curaquick well in this endeavor, this issue needs more than a band-aid, and trivial coverage by the Press Citizen.
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