Thursday, October 8, 2009

Government Managed Healthcare


I have lived with government managed healthcare for 18 yrs now since my dh is active duty Army. There have been good things and bad and some are just downright ridiculous.

All active duty military are required to get the flu shot each year. My dh was provided with the clinic hours to report for said shot. He discovered he would be unable to get the mandated flu shot. Why? Did he have a fever? Had it not been long enough since last year's? No, the clinic ran out of flu shots.... now how can a military clinic run out of flu shots when they know how many active duty military are assigned to their installation?

My guess is they ran out because this past weekend they had Retiree Weekend and used the flu vaccines on retirees instead of the active duty population. Do I think retirees are less important? No,all people are equal in general terms. But in terms of the military's mission - active duty are more important and if the military feels the need to mandate the flu shot then they should have it available at the beginning of flu season.

Wonder how long before it becomes available again? Last year dh was unable to get it until March - when flu season has ended in Alabama.
Can dh go get it somewhere else? No, the govt will not authorize payment for a flu shot off-post. So my dh is unable to comply with a mandate because the govt is unable to manage simple counting.

4 comments:

Janette said...

WE were required to get it at school. Of course when the 400 shots for the 900 employees ran out....

Renee said...

How can a school require staff to get a flu shot? If you refuse, will they fire you? Will they not let you use sick days if you do get sick?

Cynthia said...

That's the gov't for you.... Sorry you have to be in that system, but I do thank you and all military families for serving.

Renee said...

And how about the fact that we live in AL but dh has to drive to a dentist in KY (almost monthly) for them to repair his teeth because for years they misdiagnosed the reflux that ruined the enamel on his teeth? But overall, we are healthy so I can't complain too much