This is part of an ongoing series that gives Bronx writers a chance to share their personal stories on the state of healthcare in America.

by Serena Castile, August 5, 2018

I am a medical student in New York City and I am 24 years old. I went into medicine out of an overwhelming desire to help others, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Navigating our complex healthcare system has shown me that it often fails those who need it the most. Even for those who have health insurance, access and cost continue to be a problem, as seen from my own perspective as both a future physician and as a patient.

At the New York City teaching hospital where I work, there are actually separate buildings for patients with private and public health insurance, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Patients with private insurance are seen by faculty members, while those with public insurance are seen by a rotating cast of residents (doctors in training). Those without health insurance aren’t seen at all — or they’re seen and practiced on by medical students at the student-run clinic....

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