My visit to Planned Parenthood

I finally had my visit to the local Planned Parenthood - It was quite the experience!

I approached the corner of a large and unmarked building and a middle aged man was wordlessly handing out flyers across the street closest to me. I would later discover the pamphlet was for abortion alternatives. Then right in front of the building was a single grizzly looking older man was carrying a sandwich board plastered with crude and grotesque pictures that were a bit difficult to identify, and he was yelling on about how "inside, they cut up babies and torture them!" He sounded so earnest and concerned. If I had more time I would have  liked to inform him about the importance of having a choice at all in an advanced country, but more importantly that most people probably visited Planned Parenthood for women's healthcare, STD testing services and contraception. But I was running late for my appointment and I didn't feel like getting knifed this fine morning, particularly considering I don't have health insurance for the inevitable visit to the ER that would follow an encounter with anyone carrying signs showing blood and guts. I was very grateful that there was a security guard standing outside keeping an eye on the grizzly man and ushering clients inside.

When I made it through all the many doors and security checkpoints, I was somewhat surprised to see over 20 young women, aged 18-35 waiting for their appointments. It was just before 9am and the seats were all filled! Most of them were in business casual attire and the demographic was split nearly 50/50 between whites and non-whites. They were all young women and it was very quiet in the room, but no more quiet than  your average doctor waiting room I suppose.

I was asked to report upstairs to the financial assessment counselor and was pretty disappointed to learn that despite making barely enough money to pay rent, I still made too much for their free healthcare. But I did qualify for reduced rates which put the annual checkup at about $125 and if I chose to get birth control on premises it would cost me $15 a pack instead of $20. The assessment advisor seemed to rely almost completely on my honest to assess qualifications. I brought some bank statements since I don't get paystubs, but she didn't seem to understand that as a consultant, my last paycheck could be THE last paycheck for a WHILE.

Since the cost was fairly reasonable I didn't argue too much. Just a doctor's visit to a GYN paying cash costs upwards of $150, forget about the lab tests and cancer screening! I gladly took my somewhat-reduced note and was shuffled downstairs again to pay first. Then I was shuffled to a nurse who would create my file and print a bunch of stickers to go on all the paperwork. So far, she was the nicest of the 4 or 5 administrators I had already encountered. She asked if I wanted an HIV test, and since I already paid for my services, I was pleased to see that this service provider seemed to give them FREE OF CHARGE. If that isn't incentive to check your health and stay safe, I don't know what is.

There was a pretty significant backup as there was only 1 doctor on duty and so I was shuffled into the office with the HIV counselor. Unfortunately not much of a counselor - all she did was ask me to sign a form and let me know that they must report all results to the Department of Health whether the result was positive or negative. No sensitivity, no asking if I had any concerns or questions, nada. However, I was absolutely DELIGHTED to find out that instead of the usual nerve-wracking blood draws, HIV tests at Planned Parenthood are done with a simple oral swab! Painless, 99.3% accurate and results in 20 minutes. Kudos to biotech companies who have worked so hard to make it all simple, painless and accurate. Very big kudos indeed! 

An hour later, I was finally called in for my women's health check. I was about 9 months late having my checkup so I was a bit nervous, particularly having been shuttled to about 6 different people who didn't care to spend more than a minute with me. I was so impressed at the service I received with the doctor, it was worth the 3 hour total wait and morose faces I previously encountered. The doctor was young, kind, clearly very intelligent and very responsive. First of all she apologized for the long wait - can you imagine?? Then she told me my HIV test came back negative and then checked my glands, breathing and heartrate, and then proceeded with the exam.

We even chatted about travel and work during the exam, so I didn't feel a thing! She asked if I had any concerns and treated me with more respect and sensitivity than my previous high-priced Beverly Hills doctor. I'll take this doctor anyday, and she is definitely getting a Christmas Present from me!

It just goes to show you that in America (and perhaps all over the world) you will find excellent professionals serving people from all walks of life, from the diamond-encrusted Park Avenue types to the frightened-out-of-their-wits teenagers. I'm just really glad that those in the middle aren't lost in the shuffle, so that this healthcare-less young woman can stay healthy enough to make it to the next screen.