good question! i’ll bet more than one comment will refer to cost or alienation.

Only when I can’t shake an illness. The family exception is my teenage children: If they are sick one school day, it counts as an unexcused absence unless they have a note from the doctor. More than 3 absences, and they are put on no credit status. 11 minutes late, also counts as a full day’s absence, in their public school. Recently, my daughter has severe sunburn when she fell asleep in the sun. She also had nausea which is a symptom of sun poisoning. The doctor’s office said this was a first aid issue, and they did not want to see her for a $65 office visit - which I understand. Unfortunately, the fascist public schools will not allow a parent’s note more than once a year. Also the school does not accept a note from the doctor’s office saying that they refused to see the child but rather suggested first aid. My children have gone to school feverish and ill, rather then be put on academic probation because the doctor’s office does not see them for viruses. As my very smart daughter observed: “Now almost everyone at school is sick.” That point is irrelevant to the administration whose top prioroties do no include the health of the students. The alternative is to sit in detention at the end of the year to make up the unexcused days. It is corrupt and unfair, and driven by politics that pays schools for the number of days a student is in school. The county health director told me the policy is wrong-headed, and needs to be changed at the state level. Of course, we are a Democrat controlled state, and the teacher’s union will not allow it. My one regret a parent is that I have had to put my children in public schools. Because they have also been in private schools, I can tell you the difference is akin to Macy’s vs. Kmart.

I don’t like doctors. I seem to have found all the jerky ones around. I’m tired of dealing with them. It’s so sad that as women, we have to get such lously treatment. I have loads of stories that can prove this. Someday I should write a book about my experiences and that of others. I go as natural as I can. I eat well, take some herbals and vitamins and minerals. Keeps me pretty healthy. They never seem to listen to my problems anyway or they just dismiss me as being rude. I live in my body and I know when something isn’t right-why not just listen and find out what the problem is. If, after examining me, you find nothing and have ruled out every possible problem-they dismiss me. Don’t tell me I’m rude. I can’t go anyway. I have no medical insurance and I don’t qualify for any assistance. It really sucks. Doctors want paid up-front and I just don’t have that kind of money. I have Rheumatoid arthritis and can’t get any help so I just have to watch my body fall apart and deal with the constant pain.

Only if I think I am dying. I hate being poked, prodded, pricked, scanned, and then charged a small fortune for the torture.

Depends on how ill I am… I passed out in Physics class (and fell off the stool!!!) with a 105°F temp… went directly to the doctor.