It doesn't pay to be sick

I was just reading an article about politicians musing about charging a $25 user fee every time someone went to visit their doctor. While they apparently haven't considered them, past studies (and there have been many) have decided that it isn't worth it--why penalize the sick? And if anything, it'll deter people from going to see their doctor when they need it, and when they get sicker, it ends up costing more money to health care in the end.

Reading this, I was reminded of a story. :)

I think it was my third-year of university. I was sick as a dog. Like, running a 103F fever. I had an exam the next day. Taking a cue from my friend's friends at another university, I searched up UofT's procedure for deferring exams--$10 to my doctor for a real, legitimate note because I was legitimately sick was worth it to me at that point. However, after reading what the procedures were, I headed off to the exam the next morning anyway.

Sitting there at my desk in the gym, I could feel my head pounding and perhaps a little of the room spinning. Between essays, I would put my head down and close my eyes for a bit. I didn't even care if my answers were cogent or not--I was just so miserably sick and wanted to go home.

My professor for that class had been extra productive and sweet and had baked cookies for the class. After dropping half of the batch on the floor (she was a bit of a clutz), she made her way up and down the rows to where I was sitting to offer me one. I think I had my head down at the time she arrived.

    "Sweetie, are you okay?"
    "I have a fever."
    "Why didn't you defer your exam? I would have definitely approved it."
    "It costs $80 to defer an exam with UofT."
    *beat*
    "Oh dear. Just do your best then."
...

See? Monetary obstacles can absolutely deter people from getting the help (or rest) that they need. Not a good idea, Mr. Politicians, not a good idea.