Published: 03/11/2022 09:29:13 Modified: 03/11/2022 09:28:40 One thing that is wrong with our current healthcare system is a syste...
Published: 03/11/2022 09:29:13
Modified: 03/11/2022 09:28:40
One thing that is wrong with our current healthcare system is a system called “surprise medical bills”.
When a person has to go to the doctor, the emergency room or the hospital, they often assume, or are even told directly, “insurance will cover this treatment”. Yet weeks or months later, a surprise medical bill can arrive – often for thousands of dollars. The insurance company refuses to pay, so the hospital or health care provider demands payment from the patient.
The result is often financial hardship or even bankruptcy for the poor victim. An emergency room visit can also become a financial emergency. Medical bills are the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States
The Biden administration, to its credit, recently banned these surprise medical bills. That’s why we’re shocked and appalled that Rep. Richard Neal is trying to bring back surprise medical bills. To see https://theintercept.com/2022/01/17/surprise-medical-billing-lawsuit. It will appeal to businesses that donate to his campaign, but not to people in need of medical attention.
We can only speculate on Mr. Neal’s motives, but we believe he should be fighting for his constituents, not helping the health care industry overburden us. Isn’t that why we sent it to Congress? If you are troubled by Rep. Neal’s actions, we urge you to call or email his office and ask him to fight for us, not healthcare companies.
Brooks Ballenger
Amherst
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