In this down economy, many are avoiding trips to the doctor

[Liberal_in_LA]

"My family only goes to a doctor when they are critically ill," the reader wrote. "My husband and I have taken to self-diagnosing and avoid medical care. We do not have health benefits and cannot afford to go to the doctor. I have three children that all need checkups and I feel as if I neglect their needs.

"Our economy has made many people choose between feeding their children or other obligations."

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"(My husband and I) are in our 50s and we are always scared if we do get ill," she wrote. "As a result, we have to be very careful where or how often we go to the doctors. Dental visits are now on an emergency basis only!

"We have had to make choices to be able to stay afloat and unfortunately we cannot afford the annual checkups that we should be taking care of."

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"For example, people that have been bleaching their teeth for years aren't doing so as frequently," Burger said. "Or, a lot of people may have a really large cavity and need a root canal or cap, but will opt for (a less costly) extraction instead. It's what I call ‘survival dentistry.' "

http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/03/04/news/nh3673516.txt?viewmode=fullstory

[GoCubsGo]

1. Tell me about it.

I haven't seen a doctor or a dentist since I got laid off nearly 4 years ago. None of the temp work I had came with insurance, and it only paid enough to cover regular bills.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. One of the guys in my band is a family practitioner and he

has definitely seen a drop in patients.