Patients without insurance who self prescribe from livestock supply catalogues

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

My patient went home the other day who had pulmonary fibrosis secondary to having raised pigeons and other farm related exposures. They are ranchers and very independant people without insurance. She told me how she did apply for government medical aid at one time. She said the place was filled with people who don't speak English, but she was denied help. No wonder people resent immigrants!

What she has been doing for years, she told me, was order animal supply antibiotics to treat her infections and illnesses. They are ranchers and raise cattle, horses, sheep so they have access to these things through their animal supply catalogues. They barely scrape by and obviously can't afford insurance. I heard from the doctor that they lost it at some point. Obviously, a lung transplant candidate isn't going to be viewed favorably by insurance companies.

I really loved this family. They were very appreciative and modest people, soft spoken and hard working gritty types. Yes, they own 100+ acres which has been in their family for more than one generation. The adult children follow the rodeos for a living. Should people like this be denied healthcare because they make their living from the land? Should they be forced to sell their land? Meanwhile, people who come into the country illegally get free medical care?

There's something wrong with our healthcare system where hardworking Americans are forced by financial neccessity to obtain antibiotics from livestock supply catalogues!!!:angryfire

[imenid37]

That's really sad. I am pretty conservative, but that is why I'd like to see universal healthcare. It wouldn't be a handout if everyone got it. People who work hard like this certainly don't deserve to go broke buying meds. It upsets me because I see tons of lazy unmotivated people, many of them young who should be working and doing something meaningful receiving MA. I get annoyed when we have a man who admits (we often have this one) that he won't marry the woman he has been with for years because she will lose her MA and he will have to pay insurance for her and kids (premium is probably pretty unreasonable, granted). Same man often has new vehicle and many video games or hunting supplies! Your poor patient, I hope she gets the help she needs. Many immigrints (yes, some are bad--most are not) do work very hard, doing jobs some of our American born citizens will not.

[Jules A, MSN]

I think there are a couple of issues here and fwiw my guess would be that they would probably use the animal meds to treat their minor ailments even if they had good insurance. My family did it and thats what we used to call resourceful. :)

FWIW, I'm not a big fan of illegals using our health care system. It may sound harsh but they are costing us all huge amounts of money. However on the other hand since your clients have such a large asset in their land I'm not sure their love of that property qualifies them for assistance either. Sometimes in life part of being a grown up is accepting that what we wish and what is practical are in conflict. If they want to change their lifestyle, and maybe they don't which is cool with me, they need to make some hard choices one of which might be sellling off some of their property. Just my two cents.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I'll admit that once many years ago before having insurance, that I obtained fish antibiotics from a pet store. It was Ampicillian and came in a capsule identical to what would be prescribed, with the dosage listed in mg. A friend had told me about this.

However, I think this is ridiculous and also a public health menace, since now we have many antibiotic resistant strains. It's ridiculous that in a civilized wealthy country such as the United States, that your average citizen doesn't have access to clinic care because of lack of insurance. You shouldn't be forced to sell the land that you make your living from!!!:angryfire:angryfire

Family farmers and ranchers need healthcare too!!!:angryfire

[eltrip]

My ex did this when we were w/o health insurance a few months before we split up. Isn't it funny, though, that these can be obtained for animals w/o having an Rx from a veterinarian?

[IndyGal]

If they want to change their lifestyle, and maybe they don't which is cool with me, they need to make some hard choices one of which might be sellling off some of their property.

The problem is that when you farm or ranch, the land is your livelihood. Selling off property means farming fewer acres or reducing the amount of livestock... which translates to a significant loss of income. It would change their lifestyle, yes, but I can't see how that change would be for the better or would help long-term with medical bills.

[Jules A, MSN]

The problem is that when you farm or ranch, the land is your livelihood. Selling off property means farming fewer acres or reducing the amount of livestock... which translates to a significant loss of income. It would change their lifestyle, yes, but I can't see how that change would be for the better or would help long-term with medical bills.

Yes but the sad truth about farming in America now is that very often it is no longer profitable whether you own 100 or 1,000 acres. If the land is not bringing in income selling it doesn't translate into a loss of income. It stinks but it is what it is and many farmers have been forced to shift gears and find another means of self support.

[Jo Dirt]

I saw on the news where a 44 year-old woman with ovarian cancer was arbitrarily denied TennCare. Then, you have all these old people with children totally capable of providing their care and TennCare pays out $800+ a day for around the clock private duty nurses.

There are not enough angry smilies to represent how this disgusts me.

[Jo Dirt]

Yes but the sad truth about farming in America now is that very often it is no longer profitable whether you own 100 or 1,000 acres. If the land is not bringing in income selling it doesn't translate into a loss of income. It stinks but it is what it is and many farmers have been forced to shift gears and find another means of self support.

There is virtually no money to be made in farming today. You spend more in equipment and maintenance of a farm than you will earn.

[banditrn]

I'll admit that once many years ago before having insurance, that I obtained fish antibiotics from a pet store. It was Ampicillian and came in a capsule identical to what would be prescribed, with the dosage listed in mg. A friend had told me about this.

However, I think this is ridiculous and also a public health menace, since now we have many antibiotic resistant strains. It's ridiculous that in a civilized wealthy country such as the United States, that your average citizen doesn't have access to clinic care because of lack of insurance. You shouldn't be forced to sell the land that you make your living from!!!:angryfire:angryfire

Family farmers and ranchers need healthcare too!!!:angryfire

jls - I've looked at many of the 'vet meds' and they are identical to human meds - they just don't cost as much.

My problem with this is taking antibiotics if you don't need to.

I'm curious tho, with the heat on for 'Universal Health Care', how do people think it's going to be PAID for? Yes, many people will get it for little to nothing - but in the end, SOMEONE has to pay for this huge, expensive program, and it will be the Taxpayers who get socked for it, as usual.

And I feel that ultimately, it won't be that good of a program. I haven't seen a governmental initiated program yet that wasn't without major problems and abuse.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I have also seen many immigrants using veterinary meds bought under-the-counter.

[bigsyis]

Yes but the sad truth about farming in America now is that very often it is no longer profitable whether you own 100 or 1,000 acres. If the land is not bringing in income selling it doesn't translate into a loss of income. It stinks but it is what it is and many farmers have been forced to shift gears and find another means of self support.

I don't recall seeing the age of the pt that the OP referred to, but let's just guess, for the sake of round numbers, that they are 60. Do you know of any profession anywhere, that is looking to hire a 60 year old inexperienced person with impaired health, and give them benefits? As the daughter and granddaughter of citrus growers, I am telling you right now, that isn't going to happen. They sell the property, spend the proceeds to acquire housing and pay off current medical bills, and what do they live off of for the the future? Food Stamps? Medicaid? How do they pay property taxes on the new dwelling? Or do they just throw it all to the wind, own nothing, and pay rent? These people have worked extremly hard all of their lives, having been very self-reliant. Their pride would likely not allow them to stoop to that. What an indignity to expect people who have never asked for anything to settle for less, OR NOTHING, than illegal immigrants in this country!