Canadian woman gives birth in US. goes bankrupt

[TaeBoNinja]

Awesome story chap. Since you have experience running a hospital...so exactly how much should her bill have been? you dont know the issues the preemie faced. Was he on dialysis? Did he need multiple surgeries? infections? What about the mom? She was hospitalized for 6 weeks <- thats included in the bill she received. Was she just chilaxing watching Judge Judy all day?

When you come up with your figure, it would be interesting to know how you arrive at that figure and where you obtained them from.

LOL, you must be really bored to be trolling so hard with a fake account. Go read the article...."chap". The baby was in intensive, and she was on bed-rest. Not worth $1mil or anything close to that.

[bking10]

If the roles were reversed, and it were an American couple in Canada. Would their insurance cover this? And if not would it be covered by Canadian health care system or would they also get saddled with a huge bill? Seems like it is a personal issue and not an "america's healthcare is the worst!!!!" issue

[foreverSNAFU]

That will teach them to vacation in a third-world country!

[frankenstein78]

If the roles were reversed, and it were an American couple in Canada. Would their insurance cover this? And if not would it be covered by Canadian health care system or would they also get saddled with a huge bill? Seems like it is a personal issue and not an "america's healthcare is the worst!!!!" issue

No reason to think BCBS here in the states wouldn't pull the same 'preexisting' BS, and the Canadian health system wouldn't pick it up. So yes, the couple would have a huge (albeit smaller) bill if they were Americans getting the same health care in Canada.

[truthbringer12]

LOL, you must be really bored to be trolling so hard with a fake account. Go read the article...."chap". The baby was in intensive, and she was on bed-rest. Not worth $1mil or anything close to that.

So what shoudl she have been charged? Please back up your statement with a source. Standard delivery with zero complication is $16k. Standard c-section is $26k.

You have no idea what complications there were, but somehow you know it should be a 'fraction of the bill'? lol..you are the troll.

[3stripes]

Hospitals should have the right to demand payment up front just like any other business. You get picked up by an ambulance you better have a credit card they can swipe or an insurance card they can check. Insurance company cuts you off you better have a credit card as backup or cashiers check....unless of course people think health care is a right. We know its not a right, because that would be socialism.

I think scuba has just had his first hit of pot

[Hola Bola]

It's a sick country (caused by obesity/poor lifestyle decisions) and a lot of people use the healthcare system w/o paying into it. So the bill is disbursed among the people who do pay for it. Kinda like "why is water so expensive in Detroit..." Because there's a law that says that the city can't cut water to families that have children, so majority of the people don't pay their water bills knowing they'll get the service anyway. The bill gets spread out over the few people who do pay. Same w/ healthcare.

Apparently no one read this post. So many horrible analogies in this thread, lol...

[frankenstein78]

Apparently no one read this post. So many horrible analogies in this thread, lol...

Saw it. As I mentioned earlier, it's been an upward spiral. Costs increase, less pay, so charge more. Less pay, etc.....

Even with Obamacare trying coerce people into carrying private insurance, I don't see an additional 10-15% of the population carrying insurance bringing costs down. So while the commentary about some people not paying contributes to cost increases is very true, it's limited in explaining the facts of this Canadian woman's experience.

[badbart]

I don't think we are being told the entire story. Looks like she might not have had maternity coverage and the insurance expired.

[ZenBowman]

If this woman was a minority would she have been hit with the same medical bill?

Strong trolling bud, strong victim mentality is strong.

[ScubaStevo]

To think, she could have received the kind and compassionate, but most importantly, free healthcare of Greece

[jimmyjabbar]

Lulz at 'merica.

BRB have the highest per capita expenditure on health of the whole modernized world
BRB still have a worse healthcare system than the rest of the modernized world

America spends 18.5% of their government revenue on healthcare which is in line with all the other 1st world countries (AUS-17.7, CAN-16.7, FRA-14.2...etc) and yet the government "only" pays 45.1% of total healthcare costs vs 80ish percent for the rest of the 1st world. You need revamp your whole healthcare system

[ScubaStevo]

Lulz at 'merica.

BRB have the highest per capita expenditure on health of the whole modernized world
BRB still have a worse healthcare system than the rest of the modernized world

America spends 18.5% of their government revenue on healthcare which is in line with all the other 1st world countries (AUS-17.7, CAN-16.7, FRA-14.2...etc) and yet the government "only" pays 45.1% of total healthcare costs vs 80ish percent for the rest of the 1st world. You need revamp your whole healthcare system

'Murica also has to foot the bill for all the third worlders who flee their country for the "worse healthcare sytem than the rest of the modernized world".

'Murica also has to foot the bill for all the UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS who leech off the system

'Murica also has a population of approx 300,000,000

[smokeater]

It did not cost $1m, how ****ing stupid can you be? It's a grossly inflated price. Better to tell them to **** off. it should not cost $1m to give birth, the money is simply funding the CEO's holiday homes and school funds for his kids. but i don't know why I am debating this with the worst poster on the R&P

When you're in debt to somebody for nearly a million dollars, and tell them to F-off, let me know how that works out for you.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014...ildbirth-bill/

Gotta love the comments at the end of the story.

They should just tell blue cross to **** themselves. The CEO should be made it to pay it for being such a kunt.

Is that your answer to everything? They can tell Blue Cross to f themselves all they want. Blue Cross has no legal obligation to pay for anything.

[CLEAN_SET_OF_10]

Strong trolling bud, strong victim mentality is strong.

Strong answer to my question.

[smokeater]

Lulz at 'merica.

BRB have the highest per capita expenditure on health of the whole modernized world
BRB still have a worse healthcare system than the rest of the modernized world

America spends 18.5% of their government revenue on healthcare which is in line with all the other 1st world countries (AUS-17.7, CAN-16.7, FRA-14.2...etc) and yet the government "only" pays 45.1% of total healthcare costs vs 80ish percent for the rest of the 1st world. You need revamp your whole healthcare system

The cost is the highest because the level of care is the highest.

Worse healthcare system in the modernized world? I assume you're making this comment simply because you don't know much about healthcare in other countries.

[ditsy911]

Lulz at 'merica.

BRB have the highest per capita expenditure on health of the whole modernized world
BRB still have a worse healthcare system than the rest of the modernized world

America spends 18.5% of their government revenue on healthcare which is in line with all the other 1st world countries (AUS-17.7, CAN-16.7, FRA-14.2...etc) and yet the government "only" pays 45.1% of total healthcare costs vs 80ish percent for the rest of the 1st world. You need revamp your whole healthcare system

Couldn't have been summed up more nicely. Rept.

'Murica also has to foot the bill for all the third worlders who flee their country for the "worse healthcare sytem than the rest of the modernized world".

'Murica also has to foot the bill for all the UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS who leech off the system

'Murica also has a population of approx 300,000,000

All of that is completely irrelevant. His point was that America's return on investment (ROI) regarding healthcare expenditure is horrendous, and it is.

[frankenstein78]

Lulz at 'merica.

BRB have the highest per capita expenditure on health of the whole modernized world
BRB still have a worse healthcare system than the rest of the modernized world

America spends 18.5% of their government revenue on healthcare which is in line with all the other 1st world countries (AUS-17.7, CAN-16.7, FRA-14.2...etc) and yet the government "only" pays 45.1% of total healthcare costs vs 80ish percent for the rest of the 1st world. You need revamp your whole healthcare system

Another related fact: The rest of 1st world govts cover 80-90% of its citizens for less per capita (exception: Norway) than the US govt does covering 30% of its citizens. So our govts in the US aren't exactly doing an efficient job themselves. I agree the system needs a reboot.

[ScubaStevo]

Couldn't have been summed up more nicely. Rept.



All of that is completely irrelevant. His point was that America's return on investment (ROI) regarding healthcare expenditure is horrendous, and it is.

No, troll. Those are all reasons why the "ROI" is so low in America.

[ScubaStevo]

Another related fact: The rest of 1st world govts cover 80-90% of its citizens for less per capita (exception: Norway) than the US govt does covering 30% of its citizens. So our govts in the US aren't exactly doing an efficient job themselves. I agree the system needs a reboot.

I agree - we should turn communist and provide high-quality free care like Greece does - lock mentally handicapped people in cages, for instance.

[Igmann]

Apparently no one read this post. So many horrible analogies in this thread, lol...

Saw it. As I mentioned earlier, it's been an upward spiral. Costs increase, less pay, so charge more. Less pay, etc.....

Even with Obamacare trying coerce people into carrying private insurance, I don't see an additional 10-15% of the population carrying insurance bringing costs down So while the commentary about some people not paying contributes to cost increases is very true, it's limited in explaining the facts of this Canadian woman's experience.

Another related fact: The rest of 1st world govts cover 80-90% of its citizens for less per capita (exception: Norway) than the US govt does covering 30% of its citizens. So our govts in the US aren't exactly doing an efficient job themselves. I agree the system needs a reboot.

It would bring the costs down over time.

The point is, the issue isn't a lack of government money, it's unhealthy living. The vast majority of health issues that people deal with are the direct result of being 50+ pounds overweight, smoking, drinking, being sedentary and just in general, not taking care of themselves.

Norway can cover 80-90% of their citizens for less per capita spending because only 10% of the population is overweight. It also has one of the lowest alcoholism and drug abuse rates in the world. So clearly, their healthcare system is going to be used less, the demand is lower so the costs are lower.

[GreatOldOne]

Apparently no one read this post. So many horrible analogies in this thread, lol...

Hey welcome back.

[frankenstein78]

All of that is completely irrelevant. His point was that America's return on investment (ROI) regarding healthcare expenditure is horrendous, and it is.

Indeed it is. Systems are complicated and convoluted. Some easier reasons to point out why the ROI is so bad are, well.....the people. Highest obesity in the 1st world by a lot, and thus also highest diabetes rate. Probably the most stressed people in the first world. Definitely the most medicated and one of the least happy in the 1st world. I say that's due to having higher expectations than the rest of the world. We freak when if/when we don't meet our expectations. Does anyone walk less per day just doing daily activities than the US? That adds up. Relatively high STD rates, the list goes on. There are so many wonderful things about the USA, but its citizens health due to lifestyle choices are not one of them.

[ScubaStevo]

Indeed it is. Systems are complicated and convoluted. Some easier reasons to point out why the ROI is so bad are, well.....the people. Highest obesity in the 1st world by a lot, and thus also highest diabetes rate. Probably the most stressed people in the first world. Definitely the most medicated and one of the least happy in the 1st world. I say that's due to having higher expectations than the rest of the world. We freak when if/when we don't meet our expectations. Does anyone walk less per day just doing daily activities than the US? That adds up. Relatively high STD rates, the list goes on. There are so many wonderful things about the USA, but its citizens health due to lifestyle choices are not one of them.

LMFAO

BRB Hard work is the problem. We need to be more like the lazy failed bankrupt EU

LMFAO

[3stripes]

LMFAO

BRB Hard work is the problem. We need to be more like the lazy failed bankrupt EU

LMFAO

Way to NOT read his thread never mind understand what he said

Idiot post of the day again goes to scuba

and damm, the only person to neg me in this thread was a tiny 5.8" shortsass.

[frankenstein78]

It would bring the costs down over time.

The point is, the issue isn't a lack of government money, it's unhealthy living. The vast majority of health issues that people deal with are the direct result of being 50+ pounds overweight, smoking, drinking, being sedentary and just in general, not taking care of themselves.

Norway can cover 80-90% of their citizens for less per capita spending because only 10% of the population is overweight. It also has one of the lowest alcoholism and drug abuse rates in the world. So clearly, their healthcare system is going to be used less, the demand is lower so the costs are lower.

Ha, we ended up writing similar things at the same time above. Absolutely those are a big factor. Not to diverge too much from it, but the WHO takes those lifestyle choices and rates them as part of our health care system, which is moronic. Billy Bob ordering the #2 in an American McDonald's, he's downing 1400 calories. He orders the #2 in France or Germany, taking in 950 calories. Yet the WHO rates that as our health care. Riiiiiiiiiiight.

Just as violence kept growing during the 70s, 80s, early 90s and has dropped like a rock in the US since, I hope obesity follows a similar trend in the near future. Getting rid of that goddamn Food Pyramid was a good start.

[frankenstein78]

LMFAO

BRB Hard work is the problem. We need to be more like the lazy failed bankrupt EU

LMFAO

Hey Sizzlechest, I think you meant to respond that to someone else's post, not mine. Keep calm and chive on, brah.

[ScubaStevo]

Way to NOT read his thread never mind understand what he said

Idiot post of the day again goes to scuba

and damm, the only person to neg me in this thread was a tiny 5.8" shortsass.

Hey Sizzlechest, I think you meant to respond that to someone else's post, not mine. Keep calm and chive on, brah.

From his post:

"Probably the most stressed people in the first world. Definitely the most medicated and one of the least happy in the 1st world. I say that's due to having higher expectations than the rest of the world. We freak when if/when we don't meet our expectations."

We can't all be on 7 month vacations like those in the failed bankrupt EU.

LMFAO

[3stripes]

From his post:

"Probably the most stressed people in the first world. Definitely the most medicated and one of the least happy in the 1st world. I say that's due to having higher expectations than the rest of the world. We freak when if/when we don't meet our expectations."

We can't all be on 7 month vacations like those in the failed bankrupt EU.

LMFAO

But again, he was right and as usual you were wrong, but i guess working at maccydees, vacation time is just like work for you.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/22/travel...vacation-time/

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ame...ion-2014-04-03

[jbball92]

it's so expensive because there are fukktards who never pay their bills.....