Una adventura medica

I recently came down with a pretty crazy, complicated infection. I had no idea what it is. I was really worried about having it treated, despite having the mandatory international insurance from Study Abroad, because a. I have no idea (still) if I’ll be reimbursed and b. My Italian vocab DEFINITELY doesn’t have any medical terms in it.

It should be noted that before hand, I supported Universal health care. However, after this grand ordeal, I am a HUGE supporter, and honestly believe that if you don’t, you’ve never been in need. I had to go to a specialist, and have tests run at the hospital, and go back to the doctor (who spoke English, but was a kidney specialist) many times. I filled about 6 prescriptions. And all of this cost me about 100 euro--without insurance. My two tests at the clinic were 13 euro total!! All of this cost me far less than it would in the United States, under my insurance--20 dollar copay, much? Even my medication, uninsured, and all name brand, was cheaper.

The doctors were all kind and patient, and never pushed a certain brand on me. The hospital was a little hectic, yeah, and lack organization and was full of red tape, but that’s every hospital + a taste of Italy for you. Honestly, I couldn’t have been more thankful for Universal healthcare, and I truly believe that the increase in taxes to create a public option will do so much more than “charitable donations” to the poor. Many people have become poor as a result of incurable conditions, trying to pay medical bills. I feel the sacrifice of tax dollars by the “Well-off” delivers 10 fold to those who have no healthcare--a doctor’s visit is 100 dollars, after all.

I realized how lucky I was in the States to never have to worry about health insurance (thanks, Dad! Another 5 years of mooching!), and how many people probably worry about getting sick every day, especially the unemployed, who can't help their children either. I've been lucky in the States: to be able to travel in Europe wherever I wanted, to go on Study Abroad, to even go to college and a good high school. Here in Italy, though, I could walk in with 100 euro and get full treatment for a disease from multiple specialists. Talk about a culture gap.

Universal healthcare: It’s controversial, I know, but having lived it, I can’t help but be for it.