$2000/hr

[The Straight Story]

That's what my wife's hospital bill works out to. It was nearly $11,000 for her to be in the ER for a little over 5 hours at the heart hospital (which does not include the Ambulance ride, but that didn't cost us anything as I work for them - if I didn't tack on another $1.5k).

Just to be IN the ER was over $2,000 - and she laid on a gurney in the hallway.

The hospital was nice, she got great care, but it is no wonder so many choose to try and deal with issues on their own instead of going to the hospital.

And I thought freakin gas prices were high. I can't imagine my mom's hospital bill before she passed away, she was in there about 2 months.

Just had to rant about it as we just got the bill (which is being submitted to medicad so I may not have to pay anything or just a fraction, but if denied it will be all mine).

It was worth it though, she is still here with me and all I could ask for father's day is to be able to see her face each day and that of my little girl. And I don't blame the doctors/nurses at all - they are good folk doing their best to save lives.

But damn - it was sticker shock and I just needed to vent :)

carry on!

[lovuian]

1. Glad she is Ok but you can see how Universal Healthcare

has to happen because this system is bankrupting everybody

[The Straight Story]

3. We can't afford the follow care, let alone the neurologist care she needs as well

My insurance will kick in September and then hopefully things will get better.

She needs more asthma meds, parkinson's meds, and more care on her heart to see if the swelling went down and if not what to do about it. It is all just up in the air so the best we can do is go to the ER if we need something for now (god willing we won't have to go there again and she will get better - not because I am worried about the money, I meant that I hope she is well enough through the summer).

It is just frustrating as hell.

[LakeSamish706]

2. I'm so sorry The Straight Story.... This sucks big time and I really feel your pain...

I'm happy that you still have the person in your life that means the most though..... Shit, I hope that we can all weather the storm until this bullshit comes to an end.... President Barack Obama certainly will have one hell of allot on his young shoulders, but I think that he will be up to the task.

[gateley]

4. I'm so happy to hear she's doing fine.

This shouldn't happen in our country. And you're right - so many people would just not go because of lack of coverage.

When I had back surgery, in recovery they told me I was being billed by the MINUTE. I swear I flew out of that bed!

We have GOT to get universal health care -- or all move to France or Canada.

[Rick Myers]

5. Freaking Amazing, isn't it???

Last Monday I took my wife to the ER in Minneapolis... While there were pretty quick (weekday) we got some x-rays, blood work, an IV and some morphine and the number of her GP... Guess what? The GP is on vacation for 2 weeks...

Janet has been in HORRIBLE pain for weeks!!!

I lost my mom and dad in the past year and a half. After their house sells, we'll be lucky to see $10k....

We are a pair of 50 year old film/video vets...

I want a NATIONAL ENERGY DIRECTIVE, a Manhattan Project for the 21st Century!!!!

[spag68]

6. It is apparent to me

that you people don't understand the need for our hospitals to profit from this pain. they need to keep the administrators and investors happy , and don't forget the drug company's. Surely you see the need for wealthy people to make these obscene amounts of money, so they can go the hospital for care and not worry about the cost.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I know, when my dad broke his hip

it was up there...

I wasn't shocked since I worked in EMS so I knew how much things cost, and I actually was under what I thought it was going to be

We need to take the profit out of it, period

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. But, but, but....

our asswipe of a president said "“The immediate goal is to make sure there are more people on private insurance plans. I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room.”:mad:

I am glad you had access to an ER and I am glad your wife is ok. We MUST elect a president and a congress that will pass single payer health insurance. Good luck TSS.

[pansypoo53219]

9. while going thru my grandma's hoard(crap rat)

i actually found the bill for my aunt's delivery. it was LESS THAN A FULL FUCKING PIECE OF PAPER. about the size of a memo pad! and maybe $150. whatever. it was damned cheap. either way it was SIMPLE.
my mom works in medical and says INSURANCE people get paid JUST TO XEROX pages of people's records. tho might be before computer files. i believe we have to get rid of profit(insurance) out of medicine.

[provis99]

10. that sounds about right

I spent an hour in Mississippi in a hospital getting 2 stiches in my head after I fell off my bike. The bill was $2000, and my shitty insurance (ironically, probably the best in Mississippi) only paid $1500, and that was after a year-long fight. My brother that moved to Canada likes to jazz me about how he can get all the medical attention he wants for free.

Maybe we should stop this moronic idea that America is #1 in everything and start to open our minds to how they do things better in other countries. Like Lewis Black says, "Other countries may be giving shit away everyday! You know what they give away in Canada? Health insurance!!!"

[Ghost Dog]

11. 5th rec because the US (un)health system is really, really INSANE

and, I'd suggest, actually criminally fraudulent.

Greetings and sympathy from Europe.