‘Tis the season to get a flurry of emails giving discounts for online shopping. Name the store, I’ve received 100s of emails. Looking for inspiration, I’ve opened a few of them. I’m a bit stuck on what to get. I love gift-giving. However, I’m looking for inspiration in all the wrong places, it seems.

Interestingly, I got an email for 15% of lab tests at Quest Diagnostics. I started to laugh the email. How bizarre. I never would have thought of receiving a holiday discount email for blood work.

However, when I look at this past year I realize that I know individuals who were not able to get certain medical tests or screenings done because of the high costs that were not covered by insurance. This email I received instead of being bizarre is actually a bit sad. A sad commentary on our state of affairs as a society.

I myself will not be taking up this 15% offer as I promised myself no more medical visits for the rest of the year. It’s been a bit much. However, I do hope these coupons help others.