Listening Across The Lines: The Charity Clinic 3 weeks ago I began the famili...

Listening Across The Lines: The Charity Clinic  3 weeks ago I began the famili...: The Charity Clinic   3 weeks ago I began the familiar wheezing, breathing in short, hurried breaths, near to the bottom of my throat rath...

The Charity Clinic

  3 weeks ago I began the familiar wheezing, breathing in short, hurried breaths, near to the bottom of my throat rather than deep in my diaphragm.  It had been so long since I had any trouble I was caught off-guard, without medicine and more importantly, without medical insurance to get any.  For months I had walked my dog past a health clinic at the bottom of the hill knowing it was for poor people, particularly people in the neighborhood from the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.  I didn't fit the profile.  As my breath got shorter I became more concerned which makes my breathing harder which makes my breath get shorter...I needed help.  Checking the website of the clinic made it clear they had started as a clinic for certain ethnic populations but now were open to any one in need.  I fit the profile.  
  I walked into the clinic without an appointment yet seeking immediate attention as I was headed for a full-tilt asthma attack.  The first step is the financial and insurance review.  No I don't have health insurance right now.  Dependents?  One, 18, at college.  Payroll slip?  Not on me but can bring one tomorrow.  Today we will have to charge you $25 for the doctor's visit but after we see your payroll slip we can change your status.  Okay.  Come back at 4:15pm for the appointment.  
  With former prescription forms in hand I go to the main desk to check in.  The nurse calls my name:  'Ti-ar-re?'  I say "its Tea-air".  She asks, "how do I pronounce your last name?"  "Math-i-son."  She replies, "We get such interesting names in here."  In some parts of Seattle my surname is common with a large Scandinavian population.   Not here.  We do the health screen, the doctor comes in, listens to my lungs, gives me some breathing advice and writes prescriptions for everything I took when I had medical insurance.  'You should be okay in a couple of days.  The pollen count is through the roof here right now.  If you have any trouble come right back or if we are closed go the Emergency Room.  Ok?"  I go to the pharmacy in the clinic, they have everything ready.  The pharmacist says, 'We have to charge you a bit more until we know if you qualify for support.  Your bill is $30.'  'Thank you' I say.  For $55 i have seen a doctor and got medicine.  The next day I bring my pay slip in; I qualify for 100% subsidy.  
  I hold my bag of food from Whole Foods where I spent $20 on a few things as my mind tumbles to a new truth.  I am a poor person qualifying for full sustenance in medial care at the Charity Clinic.  I walk out.