What’s Up, Doc

March 4, 2022 by Heroes 5-0 3 Comments

POTPOURRI

     “What’s Up, Doc”

Pesky Cartoon Character Bugs Bunny… would utter that now-famous catchphrase whenever comics series hunter Elmer Fudd tries to shoot that “WASCLE RABBIT” –

Funny Take Then.  But Now I Wonder…???

• Ronald F.M. Moon (71 years old)

“Yeah, I remember Bugs Bunny, years ago in the movie cartoons and comic books.  I really don’t know if I could laugh when I hear ‘What’s Up, Doc’ nowadays because of the many changes in the healthcare delivery network….”.

“Remember, I retired from Kuakini Hospital in Liliha in 1999; I was an accountant In the Business Office, and was involved in overseeing health insurance coverage during the previous 30-some years (1969-1999).  You know—the Medicare/Medicaid programs signed into law, providing for Part A for hospital care, skilled nursing and home health care; and Part B to help pay for physician Care. What a benefit for us retired 65-years+ retirees now!!  Hospitals and MDs at that time then really started to make money for a change.”

“Never thought I’d say, ‘Thanks for my Medicare coverage’, my hospital and long-term care is now ‘in-check’.  But I feel kind of sorry for the younger kids today—especially with this whole COVID-19 situation— working full-time or part-time with no medical insurance for hospital care nor for primary care MDs.  I guess they can go to now-popular Urgent Care Centers and Clinics, the likes of Doctors of Waikiki Urgent Care and CVS/Longs Drugs Minute Clinic…  I don’t know what the co-pay is for their services, but I’m sure much less than going to a Hospital ER!!”

• Sunny Lee Chang (58 years old)

“But, ‘Pardon, me!!” … that’s just one of the problems today!!  Life is pretty OK if you have Medicare/Medicaid or some other private healthcare insurance plan (like, HMSA/BLUE CROSS-BLUE SHIELD, or HUMANA) …”.    

“In the main, this whole PANDEMIC CRISIS has somewhat created a ‘Wounded Healthcare Network’.  Not only has the industry been rapidly taken over by the ‘Mega-insurance industry’ (like, UnitedHealth Group) and pharmaceutical companies (like. Johnson & Johnson), but just as it was back in the 1960s and such, health care coverage has morphed into a greater mess for all of us—retired or young!!”

“Get this, among the great numbers of healthcare professionals retiring or leaving the healthcare field it is estimated that “a decade from now, the physician workforce will be 65 or older”.  And, further, the Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), ‘projected an unmet need of up to 55,200 primary care physicians and 86,700 specialists by 2033, amid the rapid growth of the senior population’. —Hey, this is more than a ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ query…  I think it is more like…”

“Where Are You, Doc?”

• Eric H.Y. Lim (68 years old)

“Listen, I just went to see my Primary Care Doc (solo practitioner) last week to get cleared for my cataract surgery next week.  My PCP’s specialty is hematology, and he’s been my lifeline since I was 40 years old (Hypertension, you know).  Also, five years ago, I suffered a ministroke (TIA), but all OK now.”

“Anyway, during this past visit, Doc. Mickey tells me he probably will be retiring in a couple of years – he’s 78 now.  He and his wife (and Office Manager) just sold their long-time residence in Manoa and bought a new, convenient 2-bedroom condo in Waikiki near the beach…’Time to relax, and play a lot of golf at Waialae Country Club,’ he told me.”

“Now I’m in a Panic Mode – where do I find a dependable PCP and personal friend like Doc. Mickey??  My cry out loud is…”

                                       “Is There a Doctor in the House?”

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STORY SUBMITTED BY:

            E. Tiwanak

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

            Puanani/Internet