Even moar tooth updates.

SO, my search is not looking good. Just from the start of today I’ve contacted two “low cost/free” clinics, and here’s what they’ve said:

( South Market Health Ctr )

(  Native American Health Center )

These two calls are a good indicator overall of what the “community clinic” treatment feeling is like. You go in with a condition and don’t get care, as much as a jaded attitude and the condescending opinion that you’re just another broke bag of flesh who needs to get out of their hair as quickly as possible. Your worries, fears, and pain are pushed aside for them to make sure that you know that it will be a long and expensive process, and any comments you make about not having the money in the first place are ignored or outright insulted. The experience is made clear from the first moment you call to the moment you leave: “You are worthless, and be glad that we deign to treat you in the first place”.

The more I write about this, the more I want other people to hear about what exactly goes on in community dental and health centers. I know I’m sounding like an attention whore here, but if you have time, link this shit. Tell people who might care. At this point I know that one way or another I’m going to try to get treated, so I’m more determined to get the word out to more people who can make a larger fuss.

People who aren’t rich, or who can’t communicate their needs as well, or people who are disabled one way or another don’t deserve to have their pain trivialized, or in some cases their healthcare outright denied. If you have a grandmother, a relative who’s special needs, a friend who’s down on their luck, or even a homeless person that you see around often, or anybody who relies on state-funded programs and community clinics, this is what they’re going through. I can almost guarantee that.

That’s the real reason I want this linked. I want to hear stories from other people who’ve gone through the same thing. I want people to realize that in one of the supposedly most community-oriented cities in the California bay area, that there’s this kind of issue occurring. I hate the thought that I’m not the only one getting this kind of problem, but it’s true. I’ve been in the crowded waiting rooms for both dental and medical clinics and seen the same thing happen over and over again.

In some ways it’s treating humans inhumanely, and it needs to fucking stop.

Helpful linking tag and even more updates.

So I've tagged the entries of my medical and dental issues for about two years. While I've had these problems far, far longer then that (since I lost my dental and medical health care from the military, long story), most of my complaining was done offline. I've also tried to flock anything that's about my family problems, but in case I missed something, please be respectful if you're going to disagree with my opinion on things.

My goal so far is to go in for emergency care at the South Market Health Center, and then hopefully seek more regular treatment at the Native American Health Center. The former has a more stable-sounding rate, and the latter sounds like they have more comprehensive care (and a payment plan). Naturally, I'll be updating this as I go along.

In the mean time, I'm exhausted. Twelve-hour shifts followed by three or four hours of calling clinics and looking for more places to call... is NOT a recommended plan for anybody.