Is it not true that doctors have a choice whether to accept Medicaid as the payor? So that if it is too cumbersome, too slow, or too unreliable to wait for Medicaid pays, a doctor may decide simply not to take Medicaid patients? That was my impression for why Medicaid patients can end up with longer waits and in different places-- besides their own ignorance at times.
And by the way, I am not making a case for "socialized medicine." I think it would be fine for both profit and non-profit non-government hospitals, doctors, labs, diagnostic centers, treatment and therapy centers, manufacturers of drugs and medical devices, home health care businesses, nursing homes, rehab facilities, etc to remain in business.
And private insurance doesn't guarantee being seen right away for everything now either. Partly it depends on how many doctors there are who provide the service you need in the area where you are. Partly it depends on the urgency of your situation as portrayed by a referring doctor or even by your own description of the situation when you call to make an appointment.
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