Subsidized Health Care: a view from the exam room

An excerpt from this doctor's article:

She said that she knew already that her risk for developing breast cancer was likely higher than that of most women.

"But I don't have insurance," she replied.

A screening mammogram could be obtained for about $90 and was discounted or free at local facilities every October for "Breast Cancer Awareness Month."

She smiled when I proposed a deal: if she were to get a screening mammogram within sixty days of her treatment, I would offer a discount on what she paid me for cosmetic services.

"I'll think about it," she said, then shelled out over $400 for BotoxTM injections that took me ten minutes to administer.

Five months later, when she returned for her next wrinkle treatment, she reported that she still had not obtained a mammogram.

Now you DO know that poor people in America are NOT poor by the world's standards right?

Our poor have cell phones, color TV, *air conditioning, manicured nails, etc. How in blazes do they afford these luxuries? Surely you realize they do so by getting assistance in various ways for life's necessities which frees up their funds for luxuries. Any one with a teenager who works (an increasing rarity these days) that they want YOU to pay for new shoes so they can go to the movies with friends!

* I grew up in North Florida without AC.