Today’s encounter with racism

I have spent all day trying to find a primary care physician in Tucson. First I verify on the internet that they are taking new patients, then I call to make an appointment. Turns out most people’s websites aren’t up to date. “We’re sorry, we’re not taking new patients.”

I have good insurance. I speak politely with good English. I’m completely flexible with my schedule. I am a model patient! The only criteria I am using to limit the search is – she must be female.

Every place I called said the same thing – she’s not taking patients. One place I tried had no female doctors available but offered a male who does not prescribe birth control. Well, I’m long past needing birth control, but that’s just unconscionable.

The other doctor I found who was available had a membership program called a “concierge” where you pay a ton of money (in this case $1,800 annually) for the privilege of being one of their patients (this money gets you nothing except their willingness to give you an appointment – in this case not for another two months). This is on top of the money your insurance will be paying for the actual appointments and services. Talk about buying privilege.

After several hours of searching and calling, I finally found a doctor. Here’s what I did. I went to the website of the largest association of physicians in Tucson and scrolled through the physician listings. These listings include a little profile picture, their name, their speciality, and office location. I looked through several pages of profiles, looking for the female with the darkest skin and least English-sounding name. I called her number, and now I have a doctor in Tucson.

Maybe this was just chance, or maybe this says something not so nice about our culture.

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