Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Costs of childbirth at the Santa Monica Hospital in 1952
This was the year my mom was born.
Note that the prices are published. All this was before stupid lawsuits, ridiculously overpriced lobbyists and Siamese twin pharmaceutical companies. Sure, infant mortality has gone down.
We had Eve and Arjun at home in a tub. Arjun though had to be taken to the hospital due to some complications. So, lets see, born at home, we drove him ourselves to the hospital and checked him into the NICU. He was there for just over 2 days. Our insurance was billed for over $7000. Let me reiterate, he was in the NICU for just over 2 days and we were billed for over SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Insane.
An average normal birth is billed at close to $10,000. Add complications and the bill doubles.
Do you care that the leading cause of personal bankruptcy filings is medical expenses?
Do you care that the number of uninsured Americans increases by over 10,000 people every day, which does not include the under-insured?
Do you know that there are over 150 million un/under insured in this country today?
Have you heard about Autumn?
No? Read her story (Love me). Do you think she can afford health care? She's just 17.
Don't worry about all those people who aren't as well off as you. It's not your problem. But do listen to the wing nuts at companies who dictate your premiums and what they'll cover or umm... not. These bureaucrats push the right wingers to oppose any competition the government may pose in health care. They throw words like socialism around, yeah, that is a synonym for communism. Numb nuts.
So you think this is about somebody else? Think about your family, extended family, friends... are they all really covered?
Please read your insurance policy to understand inclusions and exclusions. Do not become a victim.
Please... please understand the issue of health care reform before making a stand.
Note that the prices are published. All this was before stupid lawsuits, ridiculously overpriced lobbyists and Siamese twin pharmaceutical companies. Sure, infant mortality has gone down.
We had Eve and Arjun at home in a tub. Arjun though had to be taken to the hospital due to some complications. So, lets see, born at home, we drove him ourselves to the hospital and checked him into the NICU. He was there for just over 2 days. Our insurance was billed for over $7000. Let me reiterate, he was in the NICU for just over 2 days and we were billed for over SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Insane.
An average normal birth is billed at close to $10,000. Add complications and the bill doubles.
Do you care that the leading cause of personal bankruptcy filings is medical expenses?
Do you care that the number of uninsured Americans increases by over 10,000 people every day, which does not include the under-insured?
Do you know that there are over 150 million un/under insured in this country today?
Have you heard about Autumn?
No? Read her story (Love me). Do you think she can afford health care? She's just 17.
Don't worry about all those people who aren't as well off as you. It's not your problem. But do listen to the wing nuts at companies who dictate your premiums and what they'll cover or umm... not. These bureaucrats push the right wingers to oppose any competition the government may pose in health care. They throw words like socialism around, yeah, that is a synonym for communism. Numb nuts.
So you think this is about somebody else? Think about your family, extended family, friends... are they all really covered?
Please read your insurance policy to understand inclusions and exclusions. Do not become a victim.
Please... please understand the issue of health care reform before making a stand.
Labels: rant
