And they say lawyers are crooks....
So it's been a while since I've used my livejournal to go on a rant... but I think it's time for that. So, the past couple of days I've been havinng a toothache... wasn't pleasant but not so much that I couldn't stand it... then I woke up this morning and it was throbbing so bad I couldn't take it... so I grabbed the phone book and after a few calls found a dentist who could take me today. So I get there, he does an X-ray and tells me that I have to have a root canal because there is my tooth is abscessed and could be dangerous because infection can spread to my brain if untreated.... Then he tells me that it will cost around $800 and that I must pay this upfront if I want to have it done. The only alternative is having the tooth pulled which could also lead to a whole host of difficulties....
Now, here's my rant... I think it is absolutely ridiculous that doctors/hospitals can't refuse emergency treatment to a patient on the basis of inability to pay.... but dentists can! And I'm not talking about refusing to clean your teeth or bleach them out or crap that people can live without... but situations like this mine where the procedure has to be done to prevent something really bad from happening... I think its completely ridiculous that they can basically charge whatever they want and refuse to give you treatment that will affect your overall health unless you can pay.
Something needs to be done to reform this law!
And don't post responses talking to me about how dentistry is different or how dentists deserve the money that they earn... And don't point out that I'm about to be a lawyer who will charge a lot for my services... or I'll be forced to point out that even though lawyers make a lot of money... we are still required to do so much pro bono (FREE) work for people who can't afford it - Dentists Don't come close to this!
UGH!
Now, here's my rant... I think it is absolutely ridiculous that doctors/hospitals can't refuse emergency treatment to a patient on the basis of inability to pay.... but dentists can! And I'm not talking about refusing to clean your teeth or bleach them out or crap that people can live without... but situations like this mine where the procedure has to be done to prevent something really bad from happening... I think its completely ridiculous that they can basically charge whatever they want and refuse to give you treatment that will affect your overall health unless you can pay.
Something needs to be done to reform this law!
And don't post responses talking to me about how dentistry is different or how dentists deserve the money that they earn... And don't point out that I'm about to be a lawyer who will charge a lot for my services... or I'll be forced to point out that even though lawyers make a lot of money... we are still required to do so much pro bono (FREE) work for people who can't afford it - Dentists Don't come close to this!
UGH!