Tag: hospitals

After Her Skiing Accident, An Uphill Battle Over Snowballing Bills

“I was, of course, thinking, ‘What did I do?’” Witter said. “The doctor said right off the bat it was nothing I did.” Then the bill came. Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News Sarah Witter couldn’t get a break even though her leg had gotten several.  […]

California Hospitals Must Cough Up Millions To Meet Charity Care Rules

The Attorney General’s refusal signals his agreement with health consumer advocates, who argue that patients still are struggling to pay their bills, even when they have insurance. Advocates say it shows he understands there are still “unmet needs” for financial assistance for people who have high-deductible […]

“US Economy is Finger-Lickin’ Good,” proclaims Health Insurance Industry

Did you realize that healthcare costs have grown to command nearly 18% of the US gross domestic product? Yes! Like a cancer on our economy, healthcare costs are sucking us dry, folks. Aside from our never-ending wars, nothing is robbing our infrastructure and our future […]

Ouch, Doc! Surprise Medical Bills Sting

A Westchester, CA mom expected to pay about $320 in co-pays and coinsurance when she took her son to a nearby hospital for an ankle injury, because she was very careful to go to a hospital that was in her insurance network. Imagine her surprise […]

Top Government Official Hired by Health Insurance Lobby

Revolving Doors, Regulatory Capture and Healthcare Reform Do you ever wonder how it is that entire industries can act against the public interest but the government agencies established to regulate them go along with it? There are countless examples of this, like BP drilling in […]

The $500 Popsicle

A Bangor, Maine mom recently wrote about an Emergency Room visit with her young daughter. Her little girl had injured her lip, and was screaming and bleeding. Understandably alarmed, she took her to the Emergency Room. Thankfully, it wasn’t a big deal – her child […]