I went to a medical clinic this week, something I have had to do far too much the last two years (getting old is HELL), and the experience caused me to reflect on several things I’d like to share with my ever burgeoning audience (HA!).

The reason I had to go to the clinic is truly immaterial to any of my musings, I was simply there because of the restrictions placed upon the issuance of pharmaceuticals for the long-term treatment of various afflictions known to man.  It matters not what affliction, nor what particular pharmaceutical; it is all a collusion between the governing bodies, the litigating bullies, the manufacturing entities, the issuing professionals, and the marketing merchants designed to keep my (and your) time, attention, and money flowing in the proper direction of control.  But rather than continue with a treatise which can only further damage my credibility with the sheep, I will let you think on that as you will; it is not where I intend to take this.

As I waited, somewhat patiently (is there a correlation between being a patient and being patient?) for my appointed appointment time I noted a sign in the lobby which warned against missing an appointment.  This caused me to wonder how the missee would receive the warning, but I digress.  Underneath said warning was another, warning against being late for an appointment.  This caused me to casually glance at the clock and notice that, though I had arrived 10 minutes early for a 7:00am appointment, at a clinic which did not even open until 7:00am, and had checked in for my appointment shortly after 7:00am, being delayed somewhat by the processing in routine, I was now LATE for my appointment.  I then began to wonder, as I waited to be called, becoming progressively later for my appointment, would the liability for the lateness at some point shift from a burden on my part, to that of the clinic?  Could it be that the penalty ascribed to the tardy appointee would somehow result, should the tardiness be attributable to the clinic, in a reverse penalty and therefore reverse charges on the billing applied to the visit?  I THINK NOT!

At 7:30am I was finally seen for my 7:00am appointment.  I chose not to mention my tardiness, nor the causes there of, and as I happily paid my health-care insurance co-pay amount, so I could leave the clinic and complete the process I came to complete, I couldn’t help to wonder why we put ourselves through this process time after time for so little effect, but that will be for next time.  Until then, good day.