American Exceptionalism in One Heartbreaking, Grotesque Tweet
https://www.commondreams.org/news/mass-shooting-victims-medical-billsAn anecdote told by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference on the mass shooting in Half Moon Bay—the second such appearance he made in two days, following another deadly shooting in Monterey Park—encapsulated the United States' twin crises of economic injustice and rampant gun violence, said advocates on Monday.
The Democratic governor told the press that while visiting a man who'd been injured in the shooting at two farms in the Bay Area city, the victim said he was hoping to leave the hospital quickly to avoid high medical bills.
"He said, 'Hey, Governor, thanks for being here but when am I gonna get the hell out of here?'" Newsom said. "His leg was shattered by the gunfire. He goes, 'I can't afford to spend any more time here, I don't have the money."
The man's mother and son later arrived and told Newsom they were "worried he's going to lose his job at a warehouse the next day unless he can go back to work."
SNIP
= new reply since forum marked as read
Perversity through and through is right.
nra should pay their medical bills.
for a colonoscopy. Because of a minor irregularity with his heartbeat, he ended up staying >12 hours while being shuttled around.
Here's the kicker: towards the end of his ordeal, he was told that the last waiting period would be short. He would have been discharged well before midnight. But, lo and behold, his stay extended just past midnight before someone finally saw him. He suspects the reason he had to wait so long for the final exam was that the hospital bills by the day and by dragging things out they were able to bill for an additional day.
This hospital has had a virtual monopoly on the local, geographically isolated market and the CEO brags about how he has been able to run it on a for-profit basis despite the charter/land lease explicitly stating that it's to be non-profit only. And, has the highest rates in the entire state (AZ). My friend's extended visit was not an accident.
yuma, armpit of the SW. The one hospital is known for buying up local medical practices to exert and maintain monopoly control over medical care and pricing in the area. Wouldn't surprise me if it's all heavily LDS--they are rife around here, heavily represented in the medical industry, and infamous for maximizing profit.
Recently, a chain--I think the one that rhymes with "spanner" (is that the one you're referring to?) opened a pilot urgent-care type place, on the other side of town. If it succeeds I've heard they plan to open a "competing" hospital. This area is growing rapidly (as the goobers in local government plunder the aquifer so they and their families, cronies, etc. make money off development).
I've deliberately delayed getting some medical care because I don't want to give my business to that hospital. Owing to the stupidity of this area, I'm moving this spring. No way do I want to grow old here. 
watching yuma "we are the only hospital in town, so pay you fools" regional fight it out with "spanner". Battle of the profit-seekers!
Can't wait to get out of here! Unless something happens to me before I escape, not one of these ghouls is getting a dime from me!
Repeal that goddamn law about not being able to sue gunmakers. They need to pay for the damage they cause. And make no mistake--they LOVE this kind of violence. More fear means more gun sales. More gun sales means more mass shootings...means more fear. They are ONLY in it for the money.
