Say Ah

In the United States, there is so much disinformation from politicians, insurance companies, medical providers, and media and misinformation spread by individuals about socialized medicine. In Uruguay, every person is entitled to healthcare and cannot be denied treatment. Everyone.

The reasoning is simple: when everyone has access to healthcare—regardless of income or whether their employer offers insurance—illnesses are treated earlier, when they are less severe and less expensive to manage. Treating common illnesses promptly also helps reduce the spread of communicable diseases. It is a pretty sensible approach.

On Wednesday, Mikey and I had our first appointment with a general practitioner, and the experience was amazing. To be honest, it did take us a few weeks to get an appointment. Now, before you say, "See? You have a hard time seeing doctors," the delay wasn't because the system was backed up. We specifically needed a doctor who spoke English. While we usually try to use Spanish (practice, practice, practice), discussing our medical history wasn't an area where we wanted to risk a misunderstanding.

When we arrived at the clinic, we asked the reception desk where we needed to go. The women were understandably confused by our attempted Spanish, but they asked for our cédulas. Once they entered our information into the computer, they knew exactly why we were there and pointed us in the right direction.

Meanwhile, the security guard at the entrance (many businesses have security guards here—you get used to it) asked us in English where we were from. We reponed with the United States. The women at the desk explained what we needed to do, and the guard walked us to a kiosk and showed us how to check in. Talk about customer service.

A short time later, a nurse called my name to take my vitals. Two of the three nurses didn't speak English, so they relied on gestures to explain what they needed me to do. Surprisingly, I actually understood some of the Spanish. Holy shit! Progress!

The first thing they did was weigh me. The nurse announced my weight in kilograms—and in Spanish. I didn't catch the number or the conversion. Honestly, I'm okay with that! I know I am plump as a large watermelon. Next came my blood pressure. It was 8/6. I have no idea what that translates to in American measurements, but nobody looked alarmed, so I took that as a good sign.

The nurses were incredibly friendly. I attempted to use my limited Spanish, although I think I confused them more than I impressed them.

Next came my appointment with the GP.

She greeted me in English. Out of habit, I responded to her first comments with “Hola” and "Sí."

She looked puzzled.

Apparently, my medical chart clearly stated that I spoke English. She smiled and asked if I preferred Spanish or English. I immediately felt my face turn bright red and sheepishly replied, "English."

Then she apologized that her English "wasn't very good."

Liar.

That is something I hear fairly often from people here who speak English as a second language. Her English was excellent. I understood everything she said.

We discussed why I was there and reviewed my medical history. The first condition I mentioned was my bipolar disorder. I always bring that up first for two reasons. First, I still get nervous admitting it, even though I know I shouldn't. Second, it comes with a rather impressive list of medications that I need to stay healthy.

Dr. Santos didn't even blink.

We reviewed each medication, and because a few aren't available in the exact same form in Uruguay, we adjusted some of the dosages accordingly.

I also explained that I needed routine blood work because I take lithium. One of lithium's potential side effects is kidney damage, so your blood should generally be checked every few months.

She asked when I had last had my lithium level checked.

I answered, "Over a year ago."

The look on her face said everything. I thought she might actually fall out of her chair.

She immediately said I needed blood work as soon as possible.

Now I just have to figure out how to schedule the lab appointment using the CASMU app...which, of course, is entirely in Spanish. At the moment, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, so I'll be asking our friend Blue to help.

We also discussed my sleep apnea.

Yep, I have severe sleep apnea.

In all three sleep studies I've had, the test started without a CPAP machine. Within about two hours, someone was waking me up to put me on one. At this point, I just laugh. It's basically their way of saying, "Well...we'd rather this guy not die in our clinic."

So I told Dr. Santos I'd also need a referral to a sleep medicine specialist.

"No problem."

Just another referral.

Once Mikey and I finished our appointments, we walked down the hall to the pharmacy and filled our prescriptions.

Yep.

We simply walked down the hallway.

No driving across town. No bus. No Uber. No standing in line at a separate pharmacy.

The pharmacist took a little extra time because he had to enter us into the computer system. The next time I need refills, I'll simply walk up to the counter, and within minutes I'll have my medication. Or I can have it delivered.

One thing that's different here is that medications are dispensed in their original boxes. They simply give you the number of boxes that equals your prescription. There isn't a long wait while someone counts pills into a bottle. You walk out of the clinic with everything you need.

I will say this, though...

The lithium here tastes awful.

I get my glass of water ready, avoid breathing through my nose because of the metallic smell (I mean...it is lithium), toss the pills into my mouth, and swallow them as fast as possible.

Mission accomplished.

Sometimes I feel a little nauseated afterward, but not always.

If I want to keep my moods stable, it's a small price to pay.

We have not encountered a single negative experience in a country that guarantees healthcare for everyone. We have been able to see our doctors quickly, and the medical professionals have been friendly, compassionate, and willing to listen. We have never felt rushed or like they were eager to move on to the next patient.

Insurance companies do not dictate which tests or procedures can be performed that is between you and your healthcare provider, and healthcare providers are not inflating prices to offset negotiations with private insurers. In our experience, the quality of the medical professionals has been equal to—or even better than—what we experienced in the United States.

From what we have experienced firsthand, much of the negative information Americans hear about universal healthcare is misleading or exaggerated. Too often, politicians, media outlets, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and parts of the healthcare industry portray these systems in ways that simply do not match our reality in Uruguay. If you live in the United States, you deserve a healthcare system that puts patients first.

Overall, everyone we encountered was incredibly friendly and genuinely seemed to enjoy their jobs. Everyone went out of their way to help us. At no point did anyone say, "That's not my job."

Although, if I accidentally asked the receptionist to cut off my right arm—which is entirely possible given my Spanish—she probably would have drawn the line there.

In the US, some people assume unions prevent employees from helping outside their specific role. Honestly, I have had that experience at times. Unions are very common in Uruguay. In fact, construction workers have recently been on strike. Yet everyone we met was eager to help, even with the language barrier.

Dr. Santos carefully listened to every concern I had, reviewed my medications, and arranged the referrals I needed. I already have an appointment with a psychiatrist at the same clinic, and once I establish care there, I'll be referred to a counselor.

I'll also have my blood drawn in the next day or two.

The only thing slowing me down is my inability to navigate a Spanish-language app.

That one's on me.

Walking into the clinic, I was incredibly anxious. I don't enjoy going to the doctor, and, toward the end of my time in the United States, I often felt like I was an inconvenience rather than a patient.

Those feelings disappeared almost immediately.

Everyone treated us with kindness.

Mikey and I even watched the woman cleaning the lobby stop what she was doing to help people use the self-check-in kiosk.

That is the Uruguayan way of life: be kind to others and help whenever you can.

Remember: Be kind to yourself, and be kind to others...even if they don't speak English.