Are nonprofit hospitals gouging the poor?
46 lawsuits allege uninsured are charged the most

An interesting article on the gouging of poor people.

Gouging the poor

Questiions:

Do you think we should repeal non-tax status for these hospitals that are obviously taking advantage of their status?

Is this another strong reason to look at universal health care?

Should there be laws that protect uninsured people from awful collection tactics?

Rather than repeal the tax exempt status, I believe they should hold the hospital accountable for that money. They should be required to use the money they would otherwise being paying in taxes for what many hospitals call 'bed-funds'. In return for the privilege of tax exempt status they should be required to hire an accounting 'watchdog' to insure that the money is spent responsibly. Repealing the tax exempt status rather than reviewing the practices of that particular hospital would make getting care even more difficult for the uninsured.

This doesn't make an argument for universal health care.

When anyone is checked in to a hospital, they are made aware of the policies of that hospital. It is the patient's responsibility to inquire about 'bed-funds' and billing matters. If you sign an agreement to pay for the services the hospital provides and you don't pay, most hospitals will pay a collection agency to collect on their behalf or even 'sell' the bill to a collection agency. The hospital or agency has a right to collect that money. I don't believe calling, mailing and requiring payment when service is rendered are awful collection tactics. In more cases than not, an agreement can be struck to make monthly payments.

The same financial responsibility we would require from our healthcare centers, we should require of ourselves. As patients we should choose to be informed and proactive when seeking medical care and optimally be insured. I understand that sometimes being uninsured is unavoidable. In that case, it would be nice if the hospital had the funds and the patient makes it clear they need the assistance.

-Jessica

perplexiglass- "When anyone is checked in to a hospital, they are made aware of the policies of that hospital. It is the patient's responsibility to inquire about 'bed-funds' and billing matters. If you sign an agreement to pay for the services the hospital provides and you don't pay, most hospitals will pay a collection agency to collect on their behalf or even 'sell' the bill to a collection agency. The hospital or agency has a right to collect that money. I don't believe calling, mailing and requiring payment when service is rendered are awful collection tactics. In more cases than not, an agreement can be struck to make monthly payments."

They are made aware of those policies under duress. Health should be a right, the same as freedom of religion or association. When a person is sick, mostly they are not listening all that closely to the red tape, but to how they are going to be treated for thier condition.

To me, this makes A GREAT CASE for single source universal HEALTH INSURANCE (as opposed to universal health care). It would take all the bandwidth of this site to list all the inefficiences, double billing, out right fraud etc that occur because of our insurance industry.

It would be much better if hospitals just collected from a universal health insurance fund. I do not think that this should be allowed to effect anyones credit either.

Freedom of religion and association do not cost money. I can associate with whomever I choose and I can choose and practice a religion at no cost to me or anyone else. These are rights.

Healthcare is a responsibility and it costs money. You can choose the facility at which you seek care and how your condition is treated. You choose the insurance plan that best suits your needs and the needs of your family. A person can use the same foresight that causes them to buy life insurance to buy the proper health insurance. A person can also choose not to become insured and they do so at their own risk.

I don't think this particular debate makes a case for universal health insurance. Price gouging of the poor at North Mississippi Medical Center is inexcusable, especially given the tax exempt status. I feel that an accounting 'watchdog' should be appointed using a portion of what would otherwise be tax money. I believe that better accountability would solve the price gouging problem.

-Jessica

edited to change 'by' to 'buy' and 'the' case to 'a' case