A few months ago a handicapped woman who lives in my building had potentially cancerous growth removed from her nose. Today she had a follow up with the doctor who did the surgery. Her legs are just about completely shot, so any trip that requires a bit of walking is arduous. She should be in a wheelchair, but I guess pride won't let her get one. She's a danger to herself and drivers. She makes it only halfway across a double lane street before the light changes. Anyway, we made the trek through the maddening traffic and parking shortage of downtown Brooklyn, and navigated the steps leading down to the office. One would think of all businesses a doctor's would be handicap accessible, but noooo! as John Belushi would say during one of his
SNL tirades. We waited a few minutes before she was called. The doctor looked at her schnoz, said it was fine, and said he'd see her in six months. She was pissed and is not going back. And another large bill has been sent to Medicare - what a racket! Recently, she received a summary of charges incurred on her behalf this year. She's the type who reads every detail. She noted that Medicare had been charged $800 for a visit she made to a doctor in Park Slope who merely referred her to the plastic surgeon who worked on the wound in her nose, something he could have easily arranged on the phone. He made a handicapped woman make a long trip -- to another office that is not handicap accessible. How expensive would it be to create a wooden ramp? These guys get rich soaking taxpayers and are notorious for being cheapskates. She called the Medicare office to report the guy, who, after an investigation, still cleared $150 on the deal for 30 seconds "work." Another of her doctors has disappeared without a trace and is probably laughing all the way to the bank on some island nation. It is staggering to think how much of this probably goes on across the country. I felt bad about taking the 20 bucks she gave me, even though I earned it. It was five hours door to door at a snail's pace. I don't have the nerve to give her an ultimatum of getting a wheelchair or else. Even on days of zero return, I'd rather be running the floating book shop.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
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