Tomorrow the country will be voting for a new President, and many new Senate and Congress Seats. Also in Dallas the citizens will be voting to build or not build a new Parkland Hospital. The outcomes all these elections will effect millions of lives and healthcare policy both here in Dallas and of course nationally. However I worry what are we going to do to care for those underserved and needy individual's until "Change" occurs, or expanded services at Parkland become a reality? The literature regarding Parklands expansion states that the first PHASE of expansion will not be done until 2012, and if history has proven true it takes at least 2 years for a President to see his social programs become active.
I have been talking about the importance about Faith-Based and Free Clinics and as volunteers keeping these organizations alive with our professional talents for the past months. However ther are other options I would like to introduce that is being powered by Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistant's that give the consumer low-cost options for primary care. The CVS corporation has created Minute Clinics within their stores. These clinics treat low acuity illness, and promote primary care at affordable costs. The Mid-level providers follow National Guidelines, and are supervised by Physicians to ensure quality, safe primary care. I was impressed looking at their "price menu" common ilnesses such as otitis media can be treated for $59.00. I was also thrilled to see that diagnostic testing for chronic illness screening was also offered one can be screened for hyperlipemia counselled, and referred to a low-cost clinic for management. Readers if you have a moment please check out the Minute clinic link, they are doing inoovative work! http://minuteclinic.com/en/USA/Treatment-and-Cost.aspx.
I do hope you all consider volunteering, with the current economic enviroment her in Dallas and the Nation, there will be increased need for medical care and services. Thanks for reading, and be sure to vote tomorrow!