No health insurance? No problem.

            In the article entitled, “Giving Up on Red Tape, DoctorsTurn to Cash-Based Model,” Alexa Ura sheds light on various doctor’s offices that charges their patients a cash-only flat rate instead of accepting insurance. I decided to write on this topic because I am uninsured and never really sick (knock on wood) so I really don’t understand all the hooplah surrounding the Affordable Care Act.

            On the rare occasion that I am sick and have to go see a doctor, I always pay around $80 cash, I see the doctor, get a prescription (or not, depending if its just allergies in which case I am told to take an over-the-counter drug) and then I am out the door. It’s that simple. Here is what I understand about insurance: you pay the insurance a monthly fee (?), then if you do get sick and have to see a doctor, you have to go somewhere that accepts your insurance to be treated. Well what if you find a place that is much closer to you but doesn’t accept your insurance? Say for example a place like the one in this article that has a doctor with 30+ years of experience that will see you for $50 cash. It’s obvious that one might choose the latter.

            The disadvantage of this clinic is that the care is limited to basic or preventative care. If the patient needs additional tests or services that the doctors at the clinic do not offer the doctors then refer them to specialists. “Insurers say consumers should have flexibility when it comes to their health services, but they warn that not having health insurance leaves individuals unprotected from the hefty price tags associated with unanticipated medical costs.” Well of course they would say that! On the other hand, they kind of have a point.

            I believe that if a person can afford insurance then it is definitely up to them if they choose to do so or not. I also believe that these cash-based business models are working wonders for people who cannot afford insurance or that have been denied because of preexisting conditions.

Critique on marijuana legalization

            In the blog entitled, Should Texas Decriminalize Marijuana, Travis is arguing for the decriminalization of marijuana. Personally I do not smoke pot but I strongly believe that is has several benefits therefore I am on board with wanting to decriminalize it. Travis brings up several interesting points about the many advantages that legalizing marijuana would bring to the state of Texas. Of the three areas that Texan’s tax money goes to, I feel like the two most important are education and healthcare. The possible tax revenue from pot sales would definitely be a large enough number to significantly help out in these two areas, which would benefit Texas as a whole. From my understanding and experience, education and healthcare are pretty expensive and unaffordable for most people. This simply will not do. One of our priorities should be affordable education for all who want to go to school but aren’t given the chance because they lack the funds.

            That being said, I feel like it’s worth discussing the fact that pot works in a way that relaxes the body so it should be regulated in the sense similar to the way alcohol is. I understand that it is not as dangerous as alcohol and that pot has never directly killed anyone. My opinion is that, if it is going to be legalized for recreational purposes, it should have some restrictions such as having to be a certain age to purchase or possess it. There is scientific research that shows the effects pot has on the brain function and memory, so to allow it to fall into the hands of a young person whose brain is still developing would be foolish and irresponsible. There could even be a case made about the amount of pot allowed to be in a person’s system that would be operating a vehicle, similar to alcohol.

            My suggestion is that we approve it for medicinal purposes first. Pot has so many health benefits in patients who suffer from different ailments such as cancer and glaucoma; it has also been proven to alleviate many levels of pain. Let’s not kid ourselves, a lot of the people who argue for the legalization do not have these issues. Let’s use the knowledge that we possess in order to help people that really need it for medical purposes and then in time, based on continuous extensive research, we can legalize it for recreational use.