Medical repression in the US

• Repression typically refers to the active suppression of a group’s freedoms, rights, or desires. It often involves force or coercion to prevent people from expressing themselves, achieving their goals, or challenging the status quo.

• For example, a government might repress political dissent through censorship or violence, or a society might repress certain groups through laws and policies that limit their opportunities or freedoms.

Repression is a mechanism often used in systems of oppression, where marginalized groups are deliberately kept from advancing or achieving equality. It can be both overt (e.g., violent crackdowns) and covert (e.g., institutional policies that create barriers).

Today, my family has suffered from our local doctors scheduling visits at least a month and a half out from the date we schedule our appointment. This side effect of this is that the problems we go to the see the doctors about only get worse and worse. Is this problem found across the board in the US?

Yes, the issue of long wait times for medical appointments is a widespread problem in the United States, though its severity can vary depending on factors such as geographic location, specialty of care, and the specific healthcare system or provider network.

Reasons for Long Wait Times in the U.S.

1. Shortage of Healthcare Providers:

• The U.S. faces a shortage of primary care physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals in many areas, particularly in rural or underserved regions.

2. High Demand for Services:

• An aging population, increased prevalence of chronic conditions, and greater demand for healthcare services have overwhelmed the system in many places.

3. Insurance and Administrative Complexities:

• Scheduling can be delayed due to insurance-related approvals, administrative processes, or limited availability of covered providers.

4. COVID-19 Aftermath:

• The pandemic exacerbated scheduling delays, with backlogs of appointments, staff shortages, and increased demand for healthcare services.

5. Regional Disparities:

• Urban areas often have more specialists, but the increased population can still result in long wait times.

• Rural areas may have far fewer providers, making it difficult to access timely care.

6. Underutilization of Technology:

• While telehealth has expanded, some providers and patients may still lack access or familiarity with it, limiting its effectiveness in alleviating wait times.

Impact on Patients

Delayed care, as you’ve experienced, can lead to:

• Worsening of health conditions.

• Increased reliance on emergency care.

• Higher costs and more complex treatment down the line.

Potential Solutions

• Advocating for Expanded Access: Expanding healthcare provider capacity through incentives for training and retention, especially in underserved areas.

• Using Telemedicine: Many routine concerns can be addressed via telehealth, which might offer quicker access.

• Urgent Care Centers: Some conditions can be managed at urgent care facilities rather than waiting for a primary care appointment.

• Policy Changes: Broader systemic reforms are needed to address these issues, such as increasing healthcare funding, reducing administrative burdens, and prioritizing preventive care.