A Hundred Bucks for Ear Drops

We have one of those medical plans,
my wife and I. The co-pays let us
see a doctor, have a procedure,
pay for medications. Can’t remember
ever paying full price. Especially
for medications. Our co-pays run
two bucks, sometimes five.
Maybe once I paid more than that.

We know we’re fortunate and we
understand that even better now
after my wife got an ear ache.
The doc phoned in a scrip for a
bottle of ear drops. Five bucks.
But when my wife tried to refill it
she didn’t know she was a day early
according to the insurance company.

The druggist called and asked
if she could wait another day.
Then the refill would be covered.
Otherwise the price would be
a hundred bucks. Imagine that.
A hundred bucks for ear drops.

We’ve read the articles, of course,
about the cost of drugs going up.
But this was a generic. You wonder
what the unemployed, the uninsured,
the poor do when they have an ear ache.
Not everyone has Obamacare.

Donal Mahoney, nominated for Best of the Net and Pushcart prizes, Donal Mahoney has had poetry and fiction published in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of his work can be found by clicking here…