Scripts

Trauma Columnist · Apr 30, 2004

In Illinois - Medicaid COVERS tylenol and motrin scripts! We give the scripts out like candy here because if we didn't the kids wouldn't get meds. Parents have "other things to spend their money on" and that is a direct quote from a mother with Medicaid.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 30, 2004

We actually have someone asked for a tylenol prescription...Never in my life have I been so amazed. It would cost them maybe $3. But of course, they just want to ride the system.

Welcome to the world of nursing. Unfortunately this has been going on for many, many years............................and it is always going to continue......

If no one has money for food and meds, that is one thing, but when they have money for cigarettes but not meds for their child? I wish I could draw the line at that, but the child needs the med................ :uhoh21:

TinyNurse, RN · May 6, 2004

lets face it..... a multi vit for their kid....... please fill the script........

not everyone on medicaid is a loser/ person.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 18, 2004

and the point you are trying to make is?????

susswood · May 18, 2004

I love the moms with perfect hair and acrylic nails who "can't afford" Tylenol for their babies. She says this as the child munches on a 75 cent bag of Cheetos while drinking undiluted apple juice from a bottle. Last time I checked (yesterday), a banana and cup of water for a kid cost around 25 cents. "No, my child won't eat anything else...."

Rant...rant....rant....

Yeah, here's your Rx.....please don't come back.

BRANDY LPN · May 18, 2004

All of you complaining should thank your lucky stars that you have never been in the position where you have to choose between your childs meds or feeding same child. I know I am thankful every day that I no longer have to make such decisions but it hasn't been that long since that was my reality.

Dixiedi · May 18, 2004

All of you complaining should thank your lucky stars that you have never been in the position where you have to choose between your childs meds or feeding same child. I know I am thankful every day that I no longer have to make such decisions but it hasn't been that long since that was my reality.

You can tell which parents need the script and which just want it. However, you can not tell the woman with the 200$ braids and 75$ fingernails "no" while you provide another mother the script.

It irks me too, but that is the system. Some women will go into childrens' services and claim they don't have a clue who their childs/childrens daddy/ies is/are. They get approved and carry the check to daddy while the kids survive on free clothes, food stamps and medicaid.

susswood · May 18, 2004

Uhhh..okay. Let me see, getting your hair done with color then getting the fancy acrylics cost maybe $100.00 total plus about 3 hours of time (not including the cost of a sitter if needed). That same $100 could buy enough Tylenol for three kids with fevers for a whole month plus buy one or two healthy snacks. For those same three hours I could be reading to my children, or maybe even look for a job.

I grew up poor, my mom didn't get manicures, she colored her hair in the sink. I am a parent now. I know the deal.

Yes, some people need help...others need a swift kick in the you-know-what.

Medic946RN · May 18, 2004

You know I'd go along with that if I could just write them the script in triage and send

them on their way. Unfortunately I have to run them thru the system and have them seen by the PA or MD in order to get their script. This never takes a few seconds and of course you have to listen to them ***** about how long it's taking. Once again we're hamstrung by laws, rules, regs and bureaucracy.

Darlene K. · May 18, 2004

It is very easy to feel annoyed with the Parents, however, I am not there to judge the Parents. I am there for the children. I hand out samples of tylenol, motrin and if I have it samples of formula or whatever. I often remind my staff, "it's not the childs fault". We can't change the parent in one evening, but I will do my best for the child every time they come in.

veetach · May 19, 2004

In Illinois - Medicaid COVERS tylenol and motrin scripts! We give the scripts out like candy here because if we didn't the kids wouldn't get meds. Parents have "other things to spend their money on" and that is a direct quote from a mother with Medicaid.

sigh.... we give them out also. Most of the medicaid people we give them to are smokers and paying $40 per carton for cigarettes :angryfire :angryfire

I always make a point to tell them that they should spend their cigarette money on medication for their children! They ignore me but it gives me satisfaction :chuckle :chuckle