Linkmeister

Prescription fun with threat level Orange

By virtue of being the widow of a retired Navy officer, my mother is eligible for free prescription drugs. To get a new prescription filled, I have to go up to Tripler Army Medical Center (as oddly painted a hospital as you'll ever see--click the link). Shortly after September 11 I had occasion to go up there to pick up a prescription, and nerves were pretty frayed. They pulled every car over to a parking lot, had the trunks opened, ran mirrors under the chassis, and did visual searches on the passengers. Yesterday I needed to go up to Tripler again, but neglected to take Mom's military ID card, causing me to forego the trip. Imagine my dismay, then, to learn that the threat level had moved up to Orange today. I envisioned a repeat of the earlier experience, but apparently the Army has done some serious threat assessment towards potential targets. The only noticeable difference today from the entry to the base a month ago was Army sentries at the gate verifying IDs, rather than the civilian rent-a-cops they'd been using then. To make it even better, I pulled into the (often full) 5-story parking structure, found a space on the first level, and walked up to a pharmacy window completely devoid of customers. Who could ask for anything more?

Compare this to my experience yesterday at Kaiser. Last Thursday I called in a prescription refill and was told (via the automated system) that I couldn't have it till my doctor had authorized a new prescription (for a cholesterol pill I've been taking for three years), but that I should be able to get it Monday the 19th. Right. I get there and the pills are nowhere to be found. So I ask that they call the doc and then call me when it's ready. Today, 24 hours later, has the doctor authorized it yet? Nope. Grrr.