America the Greatest Country on Earth
What a crock of shit!
What great country would leave thousands of people stranded without food and water during a catastrophe.
What great country would turn people away from medical treatment because of improper insurance.
Here's my story...
8/27/2005 -
My father was experiencing a lot of pain so we took him to the ER. He stayed in the ER for a few hours then was admitted to the hospital for further tests. The diagnosis was gallstones. A stone was blocking his gallbladder so the doctors placed a stent to bypass the gallbladder. The stent is attached to a sack which gets filled with bile and has to be drained every 8 hrs.
9/2/2005 -
My father was released from the hospital because they felt he would be comfortable at home, i.e. we need the fucking bed so get your brokeass home. He was told to come back in a few days for surgery consultation. So he went home with this external sack attached to him and in extreme pain.
9/8/2005 -
I take my father back to hospital for his consultation.
We werent told where to go just be at the hospital at 10:00am. After shuffling my very ill father around the hospital for 30 min. we finally found the right room. I went to register him and the admin told me they didnt accept my father's insurance. She said i had 3 options, 1 - take my dad to his primary care doctor. 2 - get a referral and see the doctors at the hospital, maybe the insurance will cover but she's not sure. 3 - see the doctors at the hospital and pay out of pocket. Because of lack of insurance and my father had a previous bill of $3400.00 from the week before seeing any doctors at the hospital would require payment upfront, i.e. we dont trust your brokeass. I told the admin you realize he's walking around with a sack that your hospital put in and you're going to send him away. Her response, we will admit him but you will get a bill. When i asked her why the doctors or someone from the hospital didnt inform us of this situation before today, her response was it is your responsibility to check which insurance is accepted by this hospital, i.e. that's your problem not mine, piss off.
Hospitals just prey on people when they are at their most vulnerable. When a mechanic checks your car he needs your permission before performing any costly repairs. Why are doctors and hospitals not beholden to the same rules of conduct. Just because they're doctors they can make up their own rules disregarding the patient's needs or best interest.
AAAhh, i'm ready to pull my hair out. This country is great alright, as long as you're not old, sick, or poor.
posted by Susan @ 11:54 AM
54 comments
