Originally posted by --Mac:
Apparently, at least for the moment, it will be ME.
I just received a composite billing that amounts to, *drumroll* $104,598.75 from the hospital.
Needless to say, I don't have it, am in negotiations on how to work that out as I type.
But my point is this: I GOT THE VERY BEST OF HEALTHCARE WHEN I NEEDED IT, REGARDLESS.
And the proof of that is that I am still alive.
My flesh-eating bacteria infection was indeed classified as, "Life Threatening" -- and I spent a week and a half in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) over this malady.
I was NOT turned away, service was NOT refused.
Yet there are politicians out there claiming that to be the case.
Meanwhile, there are signs posted at every entrance to that hospital explaining that no person shall be turned away due to financial ability to pay, whatsoever. That is currently coded into law.
Therefore, those politicians making that claim must be flat out LYING.
And they are.
--Mac
Hospitals are required by law to treat those patients, correct. But the story doesn't end there, does it? What if, God forbid, it turns bad? What if they decide your patient profile doesn't fit just right, so they're going to squeeze you hard for every penny you owe them? The choices you'd likely have would be pretty harsh ones-ones that you probably shouldn't have to make.
Once in the Hospital system, patients are directed towards different practices based on their insurance status. You feel you got great care...terrific. But did you? Perhaps you did, perhaps you didn't. Unless you're a HC professional, you'd never know.
Hospitals can't survive financially with too many cases of treating the uninsured. They have to recoup the revenues somewhere. Non profits will cover it through additional donations, public hospitals will cover it through Gov't subsidies and private hospitals will recover it in their own way.
According to Dr. Carter, the health systems analyst, the US HC System produces lower outcomes in almost every metric used to compare systems. Infant mortality, life expectancy, cost, access, etc....we do badly on and pay more than ANY OTHER COUNTRY. This is also supported by studies from the World Health Organisation, Kaiser Family Foundation and others...
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Bill in Dayton
[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 09-19-2009).]
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