Take, for example, this new report – which Health Services Research published online – that unabashedly argues that despite all the hype, money isn't necessarily the biggest obstacle to health access in this country after all.

Sure, the bean counters found out 19 percent of people balk at a doctor's visit – or just put it off – because of costs (or coverage) concerns. But an even greater number of people – 21 percent – avoided medical care for nonfinancial reasons, whether it was an unaccommodating work schedule or the visit itself taking up too much of their time. Others complained of doctors' office hours and lack of appointment availabilities.

These findings are important in that maybe employers can help out with boosting patient access to health care by offering more flexible scheduling options in the form of time off. And maybe providers can be a little more creative with their own schedules and patient communications efforts.

Anything's better than sitting around waiting for the policymakers in Washington – who are actually vacationing somewhere else right now anyway.