photo #1613279

I remember him clear as a bell, though I wasn't knee high to a grasshopper yet. He was a little taller than my mother, with gray hair and those type of glasses that were attached to a cord he kept in his pocket. He'd balance those on his nose when he needed them, then, back into his pocket. I never saw him in anything but black pants and a white shirt, sometimes wearing a black jacket and tie, though rarely a tie. He was always gentle, friendly , and genuinely peaceable. I remember going to his office, which was downstairs in his two story house. I also remember him making house calls when I was really sick. I remember his little black bag, and the racket his car made when he came to the house. He was our family doctor, Doctor Parsons. Anytime either one of us inevitably tested mortality, we'd give him a call first. Then, depending on the emergency, we'd either go there or he'd come to us. Most people my age remember those times, and still question what's happened in the name of "progress". They say change is inevitable, however change for the sake of change is moronic. Change for the better is the far more preferable option. The price these people pay is beyond comprehension. Long hours, economic hardship, and dedication are the requirements. After years, they can begin to practice their profession. Yes, every one of us are different, with some things the same, but medicine is expected to know everything anyway. Aspirin can help some, yet kill others. It takes a very intelligent person to discern the difference, and sometimes, mistakes are made. You and I make them every day, yet these people aren't allowed that luxury. With the proliferation of attorneys, malpractice lawsuits multiplied. That's where the term "ambulance chasers" came from. Once this practice was embarked on, the insurance premiums for malpractice skyrocketed. Continuing it's trajectory, patients were awarded more than they could have earned in ten or even twenty lifetimes. These premiums eventually ended country doctor's practices, some of which took pies and chickens for payment. Big clinics started up, where many doctors working together were required. Fees went up, medical insurance did, too. Then, the death knell sounded for them, too. HMO's were the order of the day, but just an ambulance ride one way can decimate a rural family's reserve. As they grew, they were reduced to Doc-in-a-boxes, only stabilizing patients for transfer to mega hospitals. Now, just seeing the bill for ambulance service, stabilization clinic, hospital costs, specialist fees, pharmacy bills, and transportation will kill you. Then, there's the co-pays and deductibles. The after visits to the hospital which can be easily 60 miles or more one way. Some people say tough, they shouldn't live that far away from a hospital. The costs aren't that different, either way you go. I can assure you of one thing, though. You'll never see another house call from a Doctor. Hospice is even getting tough, and assisted care facilities and wellness centers are proliferating. Those costs are beyond staggering, however. It's beginning to finally make sense when they say it's going to be dicey for a young person to be able to retire on a million dollars in the future. This clearly isn't "progress". This trajectory is in the wrong direction for a free people. Sometimes, the ability to reverse course is the best answer. Maybe it's time to consider that. Not governmental control of our medical future.