Finding his calling: Dr. Carlos Vargas seeks to provide perpetual health to the uninsured of Macon County
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Imagine having the flu and sitting in a folding chair in a crowded waiting room for five hours just to see a doctor. For those with no health insurance this is probably the best option when seeking care for minor illnesses. An office visit to a family physician could cost at least $100, and that’s not including prescription costs.
A health care fix is needed
Our story last week about a fund that helps women pay for breast cancer testing and treatment pointed out cracks in the health care system. It’s not surprising that this situation exists, and while we hope the funding issues for this cancer program are solved, we hope — more importantly — that the health care debate that takes place every presidential election cycle will gain some traction this time.
The BCCCP Program: As women struggle to pay for cancer treatment, the funds to help them are drying up
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
A mammogram costs $200 out of pocket. A round of radiation is close to $40,000. And so far, this bill doesn’t include chemotherapy, a mastectomy, or hospital stays.
Orthopedist shortage costs HRMC patients, revenue
Every morning, the dispatcher for Haywood Emergency Medical Services starts his shift with a call to the emergency room of Haywood Regional Medical Center.
“Is there an orthopedist on call today?” the dispatcher asks.
A family’s painful ordeal with early onset Alzheimer’s
By Linda Watson • Guest Columnist
Recently, a member of my family was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at Duke University. This diagnosis came after a nightmarish struggle to obtain proper diagnosis from local and regional physicians, all of whom (without exception) diagnosed her as having an anxiety disorder, prescribing anti-depressants. These medications only made matters worse and did nothing to advance a careful and thoughtful diagnosis.
Hospital response to story raises questions
An article that appeared in The Smoky Mountain News opinion section two weeks ago based on an anonymous interview with several nurses from the Haywood Regional Medical Center Emergency department prompted a rebuttal from hospital employees last week.
Easley urges legislature to fix Medicaid woes
For years, county leaders have been lobbying law makers in Raleigh to stop packing off a portion of Medicaid costs on counties. They hope this year might finally be the year.
Emergency room group sues HRMC
A long-time group of emergency room doctors in Haywood County filed a lawsuit against Haywood Regional Medical Center this week.
Macon joins other participants in drug discount program
Sarah Kucharski • Staff writer
A new prescription drug discount card soon will be available to Macon County residents.
Overcoming a dysfunctional relationship
Haywood Regional Medical Center, the entire medical community and its volunteer board of directors have some work to do. That is, they do if they want to protect the hospital’s competitive position in this region. Repairing the damage done by the controversy surrounding the firing of the emergency room physician group is vitally important.
