Obamacare news from the field:

Had to leave work early today. I caught Mrs. Aristus's bug and it's doing its work.

BUT!...

Before I left at lunchtime, I saw 11 patients, four of whom had their new ACA policies in effect (Washington State's health insurance exchange, Apple Care). I was able to send out appropriate prescriptions to their pharmacies, instead of settling for whatever $4 medications might have helped, or scrounging around in our (ever-diminishing) stash of donated meds.

I referred three patients out for diagnostic imaging, whch they don't have to pay for out-of-pocket, or apply for financial aid for.

And I referred 2 patients out for specialty evaluation and treatment, all covered under their new policies.


If all continues to go well, I predict single-payer health in the US within 5-7 years...