Local doctors get dose of poor economy

It's a sign that doctors are getting a dose of the poor economy. Cedar Rapids physicians say they're seeing fewer people because their patients can't afford to pay for medical care.

Doctor Mark Goedken, who owns Family Physicians of Cedar Rapids on 811 5th Ave. SE, says he's had to cut his staff's hours and close early several days a week just to keep the books balanced.

Goedken has also seen twenty-percent fewer people this year than last. It's the first time his practice has declined in the past decade. As a result, he's lost at least one-hundred thousand dollars this year.

“People's budgets are tight and they have to make decisions…Do they have money to put gas in the car or do they go to the doctor? Sometimes they tell us they can't afford to take their medications, even if they're four dollars a month,” Goedken said.

Michael Graves, Goedken's patient, has budgeted for doctor visits and makes a point to keep his health in check.

“I think it's pretty important. Age wears on you and eventually you can start coming down with things you'd like to catch at an earlier age,” Graves said.

But, Graves understands why other patients have put their wallets before their well-being.

“When I was in my 20s, I probably would have done the same thing and skipped out on the check-ups,” Graves said.

Doctor Goedken fears people trying to save money now will regret that decision later.

“The preventative maintenance is being avoided by several types of patients just because it costs extra money,” he said, “The question is…in a few years, does that translate into more illness that was missed and could have been found earlier?”

Until then, it's just a matter of waiting to see how this latest symptom of the weak economy will affect people's long-term health.

Mercy and St. Luke's clinics and both said they've noticed the number of patients doctors are seeing has declined as well.

However, The Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids has experienced a twenty-one percent increase in patient services over the past year.