The Happy Hospitalist - Latest Comments in http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Anonymous — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:08:18 -0000

yes, in my state they are increasing the price of cigarrettes and the extra money will go to health care funding. This was a last resort, tax payers do not want to pay extra for people who don't have insurance, they have enough of their own problems these days. In this situation, there is no other way smokers without means to pay for care, or insurance will contribute to their own health by paying additional cost for their smokes. The bright side non-smokers are not effected, and smokers will be using this money to fund the care they will eventually need anyways, so they really can't complain, right? this is from a smoker. I know booooo!

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

The Refugee — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:36:36 -0000

Fear not, MS3. If you ever work for a hospital that's more concerned about treating patients as consumers, they won't WANT you calling out patients on their B.S.

It's the same reason our "smoke-free campus" allows patients and their IV poles smoke in front of the hospital amongst NO LESS than 30
"No Smoking" signs. Don't wanna piss off the consumer!

Then again... you'd think since these people aren't really paying anything, they wouldn't really care.

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Neil — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:49:45 -0000

Saw the title of this post and suspected immediately that this person was a smoker.

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Alan Mead — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:15:26 -0000

What did you say to the guy?

I have similar situations and I'm such a wuss about it. I never call them out on that crap.

What did you say?

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:16:26 -0000

Happy -
Long time reader....first time poster.
Anyways, I'm a MS3 and hear this excuse all the time, yet they'll smoke cigs ($6/pack in my state) and have the really nice cell phone that I want but can't afford.

What do you say to them?

I want to call them out on both of these points, but feel like its not a med students place and dream about the day that I'm an attending and can ask these people what is wrong with them and their priorities.

-MSIII

Re: http://thehappyhospitalist.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-cant-afford-that-4-walmart.html

Alexy_Inciarte — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:18:07 -0000

work on my ER, an youll see poor people on impresive numbers.

I dont have money for this, they dont even have money for transportation, yet they have 10 childs, and dont have at least 5$.