The prompt that I chose was “policy and you” because the healthcare can feel like a personal issue, but in my experience trying to access Prep medication showed me how deeply connected it is to politics and government policy. This issue is not just something I read about in the news, but it was something that I personally dealt with, and this has made me think differently about how these big healthcare companies work in the United States.
My experiences began with when I went to my clinic, I was trying to get Prep in the injectable form, which is a medication that is meant to be used to help prevent HIV. At first, my insurance didn’t approve it. That was very frustrating because this medication was not unnecessary. It was a form of preventative healthcare. This medication is supposed to help protect my health and give me more control of my own health and well-being. Instead of being able to follow the medical option that worked for me, I had to wait while my insurance took its time for the process to play out to see if I would get approved or not.
This whole process took almost about two months, including an investigation before it was finally approved. During this time, I felt stressed and uncertain. I knew this medication was meant to help me, but I couldn’t fully access it because I had to wait for the approval of my insurance and its rules. Even after it was approved, I still didn’t get the exact option I originally wanted was the version that was that was long-lasting which was once every six months, but my insurance would only cover the version that had to be taken every two months because it was cheaper. To me, this has showed how cost and coverage decisions can shape how the kind of healthcare a person actually receives.
This connects with the course concept of public policy because healthcare is not only about doctors and patients. It is about the rules, the insurance systems, and the government decisions. Public policy effects on who gets access to the kind of care is covered, and for people to receive treatment on how difficult it is. In class, it is discussed on how the government plays a role in people’s daily life, and after this experience has made this idea feel real. Politics does play a role by paperwork, waiting for access to medication, the insurance approval process.
In addition, this connects to bureaucracy. Bureaucracy is supposed to help with organizing complex systems, but it can also make people feel powerless. When an individual has to wait for the approval from these insurance companies and having to deal with delays or having to fight with these companies on why it’s important or depend on decisions made by people they never met, this type of systems is very frustrating to the patient. In my case, the delay affected my peace. It has made me realize that even with the existence of healthcare, access is not always simple.
Another course topic this relates to is the role that the government plays when it comes to regulating these private insurance companies. The actions of private businesses influence over their decisions directly affect communities and their reach holds over the public health with some implications. Because of that I believe that the government should play more of role in making sure that their citizens can have access to preventative care with this unnecessary bureaucracy red tape. If a medication that is meant to help protects someone’s health, the process should be able to receive it without complications or a hassle.
My experience has made me think about equality. That individuals that have better insurance, more money may be able to get access to care faster. While others may have to wait, have to appeal, or accept whatever option that their healthcare covers. This creates the unequal access to healthcare. In a democracy, people should be able to participate in living in healthy lives and in society, but it becomes harder depending on the insurance approval for care.
My experience showed me that policy is personal. Also, healthcare is not just an abstract political argument they affect people’s choices and bodies. The government should guaranteed health coverage by making it easy to access is by protecting its citizens health from allowing these insurance companies to make health care determination on their behalf.
